integrating-mcp_skill

Overview

This skill provides focused guidance for integrating databases and services into Claude Code plugins via the Model Context Protocol (MCP). It explains recommended MCP server patterns, secure connection setup, and practical configuration examples for PostgreSQL, MySQL, and SQLite. Use this guidance to create reliable, minimal, and secure MCP integrations specifically for Claude Code plugin environments.

How this skill works

The skill describes how to define MCP servers in plugin settings and how to run server processes that expose controlled APIs to the model. It recommends a code-exec pattern where Claude writes and runs code in a sandboxed execution server, and shows how to selectively expose only necessary tools (query, schema) to reduce surface area. It also covers connection management techniques like pooling, lazy loading, and disconnecting idle servers to optimize performance and resource usage.

When to use it

• Setting up a PostgreSQL, MySQL, or SQLite data backend for a Claude Code plugin via MCP.
• Configuring MCP server processes in settings.json for secure model access to a database.
• Exposing only limited database tools (e.g., query, schema) to reduce risk and token overhead.
• Implementing sandboxed code execution so Claude can generate and run code against services.
• Managing long-lived connections with pooling and lazy server startup to save resources.

Best practices

• Prefer the code-exec MCP server to give Claude a controlled sandbox and minimize token usage.
• Limit MCP tools to the minimal set required (e.g., query,schema) to reduce attack surface.
• Store connection strings and secrets in environment variables rather than in config files.
• Pool database connections and close inactive servers to prevent resource leaks.
• Only start MCP servers on demand (lazy load) and monitor them for failures and latency.

Example use cases

• Configure a PostgreSQL MCP server in settings.json to let Claude run safe read/write queries.
• Run an MCP code-exec server so Claude can generate migration scripts and apply them in a sandbox.
• Expose only schema and query tools for a reporting plugin that must not run arbitrary commands.
• Set up a multi-database MCP configuration to route analytics queries to a read-replica.
• Lazy-start an MCP server when a user asks for database-backed insights, then disconnect after idle time.