Open Source · Apache 2.0

The MCP server for your database

A single binary MCP server that gives Claude, Cursor, and any MCP client safe, read-only access to your PostgreSQL database. Runs locally over stdio or HTTP — your credentials never leave your machine.

terminal
curl -fsSL https://isthmus.dev/install.sh | sh
isthmus \
--database-url "postgres://user:pass@localhost:5432/mydb"
mcp_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"isthmus": {
"command": "isthmus",
"args": ["--max-rows", "500"],
"env": {
"DATABASE_URL": "postgres://..."
}
}
}
}

3

MCP Tools

1

Single Binary

100%

Read-Only Queries

Zero

Credentials in the Cloud

Features

Secure by design, simple by default

Everything you need to safely connect AI to your PostgreSQL database — install, configure, done.

Local-Only, Zero-Trust

Runs on your machine as a single binary. Database credentials never leave your infrastructure — no cloud, no open ports, no third-party access.

Deep Schema Discovery

Maps schemas, tables, columns, indexes, foreign keys, and row counts. Three MCP tools give AI everything it needs to explore and query your data.

Defense in Depth

SQL parsed at the AST level — only SELECT and EXPLAIN pass. Queries run inside read-only transactions with row limits and timeouts. Multiple layers, no single point of failure.

Audit Logging & OpenTelemetry

Every query logged to an NDJSON audit trail. OpenTelemetry traces and metrics — query duration, error rates, tool call latency — export to Jaeger, Grafana, or any OTLP backend.

Policy Engine & Column Masking

Enrich schema with business context via YAML policies. Mask sensitive columns — redact, hash, partially reveal, or nullify — enforced server-side so AI never sees raw PII.

Stdio & HTTP Streamable Transport

Works with Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and ChatGPT. Serves MCP over stdio for local use or HTTP Streamable for web clients and remote access.

Pricing

Free and open source

Isthmus is Apache 2.0 licensed. No limits, no paywalls, no usage tracking. Just install and go.

Available Now

Open Source

Freeforever

Everything you need to connect AI to your PostgreSQL database.

  • Unlimited databases
  • All 3 MCP tools
  • AST-level SQL validation
  • Read-only transactions
  • Audit logging
  • YAML policy engine
  • Schema filtering
  • Works with all MCP clients

Roadmap

Coming Soon

What we're building next — all open source.

  • MySQL adapter
  • Multi-database connections
  • Write mode (opt-in)