Claude Octopus is an MCP server that allows users to run multiple specialized Claude Code agents, each with its own configuration, from any MCP client. It enables the creation of distinct tools for various tasks such as code reviewing, test writing, and quick Q&A.
From the registry: Spawn multiple specialized Claude Code agents as MCP servers, each independently configured.
Please install the `claude-octopus` MCP server into my current AI client (that's you).
Required prerequisites (do these first if not already done):
- **Node.js 18+** — Node.js 18 or higher
- **Claude Code CLI** — Working `claude` CLI installation (Claude Agent SDK is bundled but spawns Claude Code under the hood)
- **Anthropic API key or Claude Code OAuth** — Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY or have an active Claude Code OAuth session
Canonical MCP server config (stdio transport):
- command: `npx`
- args: ["claude-octopus@latest"]
- optional environment variables:
- `ANTHROPIC_API_KEY`: Anthropic API key (required if not using OAuth session) (example: `<your-anthropic-api-key>`)
- `CLAUDE_PERMISSION_MODE`: Permission mode (e.g., bypassPermissions) (example: `bypassPermissions`)
- `CLAUDE_TOOL_NAME`: Name for the MCP tool exposed by this instance (example: `claude_code`)
- `CLAUDE_SERVER_NAME`: Server name shown to MCP client (example: `claude`)
- `CLAUDE_DESCRIPTION`: Tool description shown to MCP client (example: `<your-description>`)
- `CLAUDE_MODEL`: Claude model: opus, sonnet, or haiku (example: `sonnet`)
- `CLAUDE_ALLOWED_TOOLS`: Comma-separated list of Claude tools this agent may use (example: `Read,Grep,Glob`)
- `CLAUDE_APPEND_PROMPT`: Additional system prompt appended to the agent (example: `<your-system-prompt>`)
- `CLAUDE_EFFORT`: Effort level: low, medium, or high (example: `medium`)
- `CLAUDE_MAX_BUDGET_USD`: Maximum USD budget per invocation (example: `0.02`)
- `CLAUDE_MCP_SERVERS`: JSON for nested MCP servers (for coordinator pattern)
Note: Wraps the Claude Agent SDK to spawn multiple specialized Claude Code agents — each a distinct MCP tool with its own model, permission mode, system prompt, and budget.
Add this MCP server to my current client's config in the correct format for you. If you need secrets or credentials I haven't provided, ASK me — do not invent values or leave raw placeholders. After adding it, tell me how to verify the server is connected.ANTHROPIC_API_KEYrequiredAPI key for accessing the Anthropic servicesAI Agents Framework with Self Reflection and MCP support