What is Mcp Wait Server

mcp-wait-server is an MCP Server designed to allow AI models, such as Claude, to pause execution for a specified duration. This is particularly useful for managing long-running operations.

Use cases

Use cases include delaying the execution of subsequent operations until a long-running task completes, managing timeouts in automated workflows, and ensuring that resources are available before proceeding with further actions.

How to use

To use mcp-wait-server, configure Claude Desktop by editing the configuration file to include the server command. You can run it using npx without installation, or install it globally via npm, or clone and build from the source.

Key features

Key features include the ability to pause execution for a specified number of seconds, easy integration with Claude Desktop, and multiple installation options including npx, npm, and source code.

Where to use

mcp-wait-server is applicable in fields that require AI models to manage execution timing, such as software development, automation scripts, and any scenario involving long-running tasks.

MCP Wait Server

Simple Model Context Protocol server providing time-related tools for Claude Desktop and other MCP clients:

• wait - Pauses execution for a specified number of seconds, useful when you need to wait for long-running operations to complete
• get_datetime - Returns the current date and time in ISO 8601 format

Implementation

• Written in TypeScript
• Located in src/index.ts (source) and build/index.js (compiled)
• Run with: npm start or directly with node build/index.js

Installation

Option 1: Use with npx (Recommended - No Installation Required)

The simplest approach is to use npx, which runs the package without installing it. Configure Claude Desktop as shown in the “Usage” section below.

Option 2: Install from npm

If you prefer to install the package:

# Install globally
npm install -g mcp-wait-server

Option 3: Clone and Build from Source

For development or customization:

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/Amico1285/mcp-wait-server.git
cd mcp-wait-server

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Build the project
npm run build

# You can run it directly
npm start

Usage in Claude Desktop

1. Create or edit your Claude Desktop configuration file:

   • Location: ~/.anthropic/config.json on macOS/Linux
   • Location: %APPDATA%\anthropic\config.json on Windows
   • Create directories/file if needed

2. Recommended Method: Using npx (No Installation Required)

This is the simplest approach that works across all environments without requiring global installation:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wait_server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-wait-server@latest"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MCP_WAIT_MAX_DURATION_SECONDS": "210",
        "MCP_WAIT_TOOL_DESCRIPTION": "Waits for a specified number of seconds. Use this to create a delay after starting a long-running operation (like a script or download via another tool), allowing it time to complete before you proceed or check its status."
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Alternative Methods:

If you installed globally:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wait_server": {
      "command": "mcp-wait-server",
      "env": {
        "MCP_WAIT_MAX_DURATION_SECONDS": "210",
        "MCP_WAIT_TOOL_DESCRIPTION": "Waits for a specified number of seconds. Use this to create a delay after starting a long-running operation (like a script or download via another tool), allowing it time to complete before you proceed or check its status."
      }
    }
  }
}

If you installed from source:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wait_server": {
      "command": "/path/to/your/mcp-wait-server/build/index.js",
      "env": {
        "MCP_WAIT_MAX_DURATION_SECONDS": "210",
        "MCP_WAIT_TOOL_DESCRIPTION": "Waits for a specified number of seconds. Use this to create a delay after starting a long-running operation (like a script or download via another tool), allowing it time to complete before you proceed or check its status."
      }
    }
  }
}

4. Restart Claude Desktop

5. The wait and get_datetime tools will now be available to Claude Desktop

Environment Variables

• MCP_WAIT_MAX_DURATION_SECONDS - Maximum duration for one wait call (default: 210 seconds)
• MCP_WAIT_TOOL_DESCRIPTION - Custom description for the wait tool

How It Works

Wait Tool

When Claude is given the wait tool, it can use it to wait for a specified number of seconds. This is particularly useful in scenarios like:

• Waiting for a long-running script to complete
• Pausing before checking the status of a process
• Adding delays between API calls to avoid rate limits
• Allowing time for downloads or uploads to complete

The tool has a maximum single wait duration (default 210 seconds), but will automatically handle longer waits by instructing Claude to call it again with the remaining time.

Get DateTime Tool

The get_datetime tool provides the current date and time in ISO 8601 format. This is useful for:

• Timestamping operations or events
• Calculating time differences
• Scheduling or time-based decision making
• Logging with accurate timestamps

Development

• Node.js 18+ required
• Install dependencies: npm install
• Build: npm run build
• Run: npm start