MCP AI Gateway
A unified MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that enables AI assistants to intelligently select and switch between different AI models within the same conversation to complete tasks.
🎯 Core Concept
Intelligent Model Selection
The core value of MCP AI Gateway lies in enabling AI assistants to automatically choose the most suitable model based on task requirements:
- Code Tasks: Let AI choose Claude Opus 4 for advanced code analysis
- Quick Q&A: Let AI choose GPT-4o for fast, reliable responses
- Creative Writing: Let AI choose GPT-5 or Gemini 2.5 Pro for superior creativity
- Multimodal Processing: Let AI choose vision-capable models like GPT-4o
Workflow Example
Within a single conversation, AI might:
- Use Claude Opus 4 to analyze complex code logic
- Use GPT-5 to generate creative solutions
- Use Gemini 2.5 Pro for quick verification
All achieved through a unified MCP tool, no manual switching required!
🚀 Quick Start
1. Installation and Configuration
No installation needed, use directly with npx:
npx mcp-ai-gateway
2. Claude Desktop Configuration
Add to your Claude Desktop MCP configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ai-gateway": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://api.openai.com/v1",
"DEFAULT_MODEL": "gpt-4o",
"DESCRIPTION": "Available models:\n- gpt-5: Latest OpenAI model with superior reasoning and creativity\n- gpt-4o: Multimodal model with fast responses\n- claude-opus-4: World's best coding model with extended thinking"
}
}
}
}
3. Start Using Immediately
After configuration, restart Claude Desktop and you can interact with AI like this:
"Please use the most suitable model to analyze this code, then use another model to generate test cases"
AI will automatically select appropriate models for different subtasks!
📖 Detailed Configuration Guide
Environment Variables
| Variable | Required | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
API_FORMAT | ✅ | API format | openai or anthropic |
API_KEY | ✅ | API key | sk-... |
API_ENDPOINT | ⚪ | Custom endpoint | https://api.openai.com/v1 |
DEFAULT_MODEL | ⚪ | Default model | gpt-4o |
DESCRIPTION | ⚪ | Custom model description | See examples below |
REQUEST_TIMEOUT | ⚪ | HTTP request timeout in seconds | 60 (default) |
API Format Support
OpenAI Format
Supports OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, and various OpenAI API-compatible services:
{
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-your-openai-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://api.openai.com/v1"
}
Anthropic Format
Direct support for Anthropic Claude models:
{
"API_FORMAT": "anthropic",
"API_KEY": "sk-ant-your-anthropic-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://api.anthropic.com",
"ANTHROPIC_VERSION": "2023-06-01"
}
OpenRouter Format
Access 400+ AI models through OpenRouter's unified API:
{
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-or-your-openrouter-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
"DEFAULT_MODEL": "anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet",
"DESCRIPTION": "OpenRouter models:\n- anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet: Latest Claude with enhanced reasoning\n- openai/gpt-4o: GPT-4o with multimodal capabilities\n- google/gemini-pro-1.5: Google's advanced Gemini model\n- meta-llama/llama-3.1-405b: Meta's largest Llama model"
}
Custom Description Examples
Through the DESCRIPTION environment variable, you can provide detailed model selection guidance for AI:
export DESCRIPTION="Available AI models and their strengths:
🧠 Reasoning & Analysis:
- claude-opus-4: World's best coding model with 72.5% on SWE-Bench
- gpt-5: Latest model with deep reasoning capabilities and lowest error rates
⚡ Speed & Efficiency:
- gpt-4o: Fast multimodal responses with near-instant processing
- claude-sonnet-4: Quick processing with extended thinking capabilities
- gemini-2.5-flash: Ultra-fast responses for simple queries
🎨 Creativity & Writing:
- gpt-5: Superior creative writing and content generation
- gemini-2.5-pro: Excellent balance of creativity and factual accuracy
- claude-opus-4: Advanced reasoning for complex creative tasks
💡 Choose the model that best fits your specific task requirements!"
🛠️ Advanced Configuration
Enterprise Proxy Support
export HTTP_PROXY=http://your-proxy:8080
export HTTPS_PROXY=https://your-proxy:8080
Default Parameter Settings
export DEFAULT_TEMPERATURE=0.7
export DEFAULT_MAX_TOKENS=2000
export OPENAI_ORGANIZATION=org-your-org-id # OpenAI only
export REQUEST_TIMEOUT=60 # HTTP timeout in seconds (default: 60)
Multi-Provider Configuration Example
You can configure multiple MCP AI Gateway instances to connect to different providers:
{
"mcpServers": {
"openai-gateway": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-your-openai-key",
"DESCRIPTION": "OpenAI models: GPT-5, GPT-4o, GPT-4.5"
}
},
"claude-gateway": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "anthropic",
"API_KEY": "sk-ant-your-key",
"DESCRIPTION": "Anthropic models: Claude Opus 4, Claude Sonnet 4"
}
},
"openrouter-gateway": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-or-your-openrouter-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
"DEFAULT_MODEL": "anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet",
"DESCRIPTION": "400+ models via OpenRouter:\n- anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet: Enhanced reasoning\n- openai/gpt-4o: Multimodal capabilities\n- google/gemini-pro-1.5: Advanced Gemini\n- meta-llama/llama-3.1-405b: Largest open model\n- Cost-effective with automatic fallbacks"
}
}
}
}
🔧 Technical Features
- 🔌 Plug & Play: Use directly via npx, no installation required
- 🌐 Multi-API Support: OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter (400+ models), custom endpoints
- 🏗️ Extensible Architecture: Easy to add new API format support
- 🛡️ Enterprise Ready: Proxy support, error handling, secure authentication
- ⚡ High Performance: Direct HTTP calls, no additional overhead
- 📝 Fully Typed: Written in TypeScript, type-safe
- 💰 Cost Optimization: OpenRouter integration with automatic fallbacks
🎯 Use Cases
1. Development Workflow
- Use Claude Opus 4 for code review and optimization suggestions
- Use GPT-5 for technical documentation generation
- Use fast models for syntax checking
2. Content Creation
- Use creative models for draft generation
- Use analytical models for content optimization
- Use fast models for proofreading
3. Research & Analysis
- Use reasoning models for complex data analysis
- Use specialized models for report generation
- Use fast models for summary generation
4. Third-Party Model Access in AI Clients
Access premium models through official AI clients:
- Claude Desktop with OpenAI Models: Use your OpenAI API key to access GPT-5, GPT-4o in Claude Desktop interface
- OpenRouter Integration: Access 400+ models through one API with automatic fallbacks and cost optimization
- Third-Party API Integration: Connect expensive or specialized models (like Claude Opus 4) through custom endpoints
- Cost Optimization: Use cheaper third-party API providers while maintaining the familiar Claude Desktop/Gemini CLI experience
- Model Comparison: Test different providers' implementations of the same model within one interface
- Enterprise Solutions: Access internal or fine-tuned models through your organization's API gateway
Example Configuration for accessing OpenAI models in Claude Desktop:
{
"mcpServers": {
"openai-access": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-your-openai-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://api.openai.com/v1",
"DESCRIPTION": "Access OpenAI's latest models:\n- gpt-5: Most advanced reasoning\n- gpt-4o: Multimodal capabilities\n- Compare with Claude's built-in models"
}
}
}
}
Example Configuration for OpenRouter access in Claude Desktop:
{
"mcpServers": {
"openrouter-access": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["mcp-ai-gateway"],
"env": {
"API_FORMAT": "openai",
"API_KEY": "sk-or-your-openrouter-key",
"API_ENDPOINT": "https://openrouter.ai/api/v1",
"DEFAULT_MODEL": "anthropic/claude-3.5-sonnet",
"DESCRIPTION": "Access 400+ models via OpenRouter:\n- Choose from OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Meta models\n- Automatic cost optimization and fallbacks\n- Unified pricing and billing across providers\n- Real-time model availability and performance"
}
}
}
}
📚 API Reference
chat_completion Tool Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
model | string | Specify the model to use |
messages | array | Array of conversation message objects |
temperature | number | Control randomness (0-2) |
max_tokens | number | Maximum output length |
stream | boolean | Whether to stream output |
top_p | number | Nucleus sampling parameter |
frequency_penalty | number | Frequency penalty |
presence_penalty | number | Presence penalty |
stop | string/array | Stop sequences |
response_format | object | NEW: Format of the response (OpenAI only) |
Response Format Support
The response_format parameter enables structured outputs from OpenAI-compatible models:
// JSON object mode
{
"response_format": {
"type": "json_object"
}
}
// JSON schema mode (with strict validation)
{
"response_format": {
"type": "json_schema",
"json_schema": {
"name": "user_profile",
"strict": true,
"schema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"name": {"type": "string"},
"age": {"type": "number"},
"email": {"type": "string", "format": "email"}
},
"required": ["name", "age"]
}
}
}
}
Note: This parameter is only supported for OpenAI-format APIs and will be ignored for Anthropic-format requests.
🔧 Troubleshooting
Common Issues
"Cannot find module" Errors with npx
This error typically occurs when using npx mcp-ai-gateway due to incomplete dependency downloads in the npx cache. You might see errors like:
Cannot find module 'node_modules/es-set-tostringtag/index.js'Cannot find module 'axios'Cannot find module '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk'
Solution:
# Clear npx cache completely
rm -rf ~/.npm/_npx
npm cache clean --force
# Then retry
npx mcp-ai-gateway
Why this happens: npx sometimes fails to download all transitive dependencies, especially on slower network connections or when the package has many dependencies. Clearing the cache forces a fresh, complete download.
API Key Not Found
Make sure you've set the required environment variables in your MCP client configuration:
{
"env": {
"API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
"API_FORMAT": "openai"
}
}
Connection Timeouts
If you're experiencing timeout issues, increase the request timeout:
{
"env": {
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "120"
}
}
📚 Documentation
Comprehensive guides and tutorials for getting the most out of MCP AI Gateway:
Getting Started
- How to Access OpenRouter's Free Gemini Models in Claude Desktop - Save up to 80% on AI costs while enjoying Claude Desktop's interface
- How to Use ChatGPT Models in Gemini CLI - Access OpenAI's latest models directly within your Gemini CLI workflow
Advanced Workflows
- How to Create Multi-Model Workflows in Claude Desktop - Master intelligent model orchestration for complex projects
- How to Reduce AI Costs by 80% with Smart Model Routing - Transform your AI spending through intelligent cost optimization
Use Cases & Examples
- Client integration tutorials
- Enterprise deployment guides
- Cost optimization strategies
- Workflow automation patterns
More tutorials and guides coming soon! Check back regularly or suggest topics you'd like to see covered.
📖 Documentation & Guides
Comprehensive how-to guides for getting the most out of MCP AI Gateway:
Integration Guides
- How to Access OpenRouter's Free Gemini Models in Claude Desktop - Save up to 80% on AI costs while using Claude Desktop's interface
- How to Use ChatGPT Models in Gemini CLI - Break free from Google's model limitations and access OpenAI's latest models in Gemini CLI
Advanced Workflows
- How to Create Multi-Model Workflows in Claude Desktop Using Sub-Agent Descriptions - Master intelligent model orchestration for complex projects
Coming Soon
- How to Build AI-Powered Code Review Pipelines
- How to Set Up Cost-Effective Multi-Team AI Access
- How to Create Custom Model Selection Strategies
- Enterprise Deployment and Security Best Practices
🤝 Contributing
Issues and Pull Requests are welcome!
- GitHub: kinhunt/mcp-ai-gateway
- NPM: mcp-ai-gateway
📄 License
MIT License - See LICENSE file for details
Make AI assistants smarter at choosing models and boost your productivity! 🚀