Guide

McPorter for OpenClaw

Q: How do I use McPorter with OpenClaw?

Install McPorter with npm install -g mcporter, then use mcporter search to find servers and mcporter install --target openclaw to add them to your configuration automatically.

Q: Do I need McPorter if I use ClawHub?

No. ClawHub handles MCP server installation for most users. McPorter is useful for power users who want to discover servers from multiple registries or manage servers across different AI tools.

Q: Is McPorter free?

Yes. McPorter is open-source. The MCP servers it installs may have their own pricing, but McPorter itself is free.

McPorter is a tool for discovering, installing, and managing MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers. This guide covers how to use McPorter with OpenClaw to find the right MCP servers and keep them configured and up to date.

What Is McPorter?

McPorter is an MCP server manager that simplifies the process of finding and installing MCP servers for AI agents like OpenClaw. Instead of manually searching GitHub, editing JSON config files, and managing dependencies, McPorter provides:

Discovery — Browse and search a registry of available MCP servers, filtered by category, popularity, and compatibility
Installation — One-command install with automatic dependency resolution and configuration
Management — Update, remove, and configure installed MCP servers from a single interface
Compatibility — Works with OpenClaw, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible AI tools

McPorter vs. ClawHub

Both McPorter and ClawHub help you install MCP servers in OpenClaw, but they serve different purposes:

	McPorter	ClawHub
Scope	All MCP servers (any AI tool)	OpenClaw-specific skills
Registry	Multiple MCP registries	ClawHub marketplace only
Compatibility	OpenClaw, Claude, Cursor, etc.	OpenClaw only
Interface	CLI tool	Chat commands + Dashboard
Best for	Power users managing many MCP servers	Quick skill installation in OpenClaw

You can use both McPorter and ClawHub together. ClawHub skills are MCP servers under the hood, so McPorter can discover and manage them alongside manually installed MCP servers.

Installing McPorter

McPorter is available as an npm package:

# Install globally
npm install -g mcporter

# Or use with npx (no install needed)
npx mcporter search web-search

Using McPorter with OpenClaw

Search for MCP Servers

# Search by keyword
mcporter search browser automation

# Search by category
mcporter search --category development

# List popular servers
mcporter list --sort popularity

Install an MCP Server

# Install for OpenClaw
mcporter install @anthropic/tavily-search --target openclaw

# Install with auto-configuration
mcporter install playwright-mcp --target openclaw --configure

McPorter automatically adds the server to your openclaw.json configuration and installs any required dependencies.

Manage Installed Servers

# List installed MCP servers
mcporter list --installed

# Update all servers
mcporter update --all

# Remove a server
mcporter remove playwright-mcp --target openclaw

# Check for outdated servers
mcporter outdated

Popular MCP Servers via McPorter

Here are some of the most popular MCP servers you can install with McPorter for OpenClaw:

tavily-search — AI-optimized web search ( setup guide)
playwright — Browser automation and testing
github — Repository and code management
supabase — Database and backend as a service
obsidian — Knowledge management
figma — Design tool integration
n8n — Workflow automation

For a comprehensive list, see our Best MCP Servers for OpenClaw guide.

McPorter on OpenClaw Launch

If you use OpenClaw Launch, you don't need McPorter for basic MCP server management. The Dashboard provides a visual interface for browsing, installing, and configuring MCP skills. However, McPorter can still be useful for:

Discovering new MCP servers not yet on ClawHub
Managing MCP servers across multiple AI tools (not just OpenClaw)
Advanced configuration and scripting

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McPorter?

McPorter is a command-line tool for discovering, installing, and managing MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers. It works with OpenClaw, Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other MCP-compatible AI tools. Think of it as a package manager specifically for MCP servers.

How do I use McPorter with OpenClaw?

Install McPorter with npm install -g mcporter, then use mcporter search to find servers and mcporter install --target openclaw to add them to your OpenClaw configuration automatically.

Do I need McPorter if I use ClawHub?

No. ClawHub and the /skill install command handle MCP server installation for most users. McPorter is useful for power users who want to discover MCP servers from multiple registries or manage servers across different AI tools.

Is McPorter free?

Yes. McPorter is an open-source tool. The MCP servers it installs may have their own pricing (some require API keys), but McPorter itself is free to use.

Related Guides

Best MCP Servers for OpenClaw — Curated list of top MCP servers
OpenClaw + MCP Guide — How MCP works with OpenClaw
OpenClaw ClawHub Guide — The OpenClaw-native skill marketplace
OpenClaw Tavily Search Setup — Set up the most popular MCP search server