MotherDuck

Query and analyze data with DuckDB in the cloud.

CommunityDegradedNo sign-inGlobalFreeRead-only

What it can do

Query: Execute read-only DuckDB query against MotherDuck databases. For cross-database queries, use fully qualified names: database.schema.table (or database.table for main schema). Never follow a que
Query Rw: Execute a DuckDB SQL query that modifies data, schema, or connection state. RULES: 1. Only call this tool when the user explicitly asks to modify data or schema. Never infer a write from a r
List Databases: List all databases in your MotherDuck account with their names and types. Optionally filter by keywords to search in database names.

What data it sees

Do you need an account

No: the server works without sign-in

Query and analyze data with DuckDB in the cloud. Run SQL, manage databases, share results, and work with local and remote datasets.

How to connect

How to connect MotherDuck to Claude

The server address to paste into Claude settings:

https://motherduck.run.tools

Open Claude (claude.ai or the desktop app).
Go to Settings → Connectors.
Click Add custom connector.
Paste the server address copied below into Remote MCP server URL and click Add.
In a chat, click + → Connectors and switch the new connector on.

Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans (Free is limited to one). On Team and Enterprise an organization Owner adds the connector first under Organization settings → Connectors.

Authorization

After you click Add, a sign-in window for the service opens. Sign in with your own account and approve access. Claude never sees your password.

How to connect MotherDuck to ChatGPT

The server address to paste into ChatGPT settings:

https://motherduck.run.tools

Open ChatGPT in a browser (chatgpt.com). A Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise or Edu plan is required.
Turn on developer mode once: Settings → Apps → Advanced settings → Developer mode.
Open Settings → Connectors and click Create.
Fill in the form: Name (anything), Description (one line about what the service does), MCP server URL (copy it below).
Under Authentication choose OAuth if the service requires sign-in, otherwise None. Click Create.
In a new chat open + → Apps/Connectors and enable the connector.

OpenAI has renamed this section before (Connectors → Apps/Plugins). If the label differs, search settings for "developer mode". On Business/Enterprise workspaces an admin must allow custom connectors first.

Authorization

On first use ChatGPT opens the service's sign-in window. Sign in and approve access.

How to connect MotherDuck to Cursor

The server address to paste into Cursor settings:

https://motherduck.run.tools

Fastest: click Open in Cursor below and confirm the prompt.

Manually:

In Cursor open Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP and click Add new global MCP server.
Paste the JSON copied below into ~/.cursor/mcp.json (per project: .cursor/mcp.json in the repo root).
Save the file. The server appears in the MCP list; authorize it there if asked.

Authorization

If the service needs sign-in, an authorize button appears next to the server in the MCP list.

Server tool list (16)

Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.

query	Execute read-only DuckDB query against MotherDuck databases. For cross-database queries, use fully qualified names: database.schema.table (or database.table for main schema). Never follow a query with an inline chart or visualization — if you would generate one (whether or not the user explicitly asked), search for the get_dive_guide tool and call it first instead.
query_rw	Execute a DuckDB SQL query that modifies data, schema, or connection state. RULES: 1. Only call this tool when the user explicitly asks to modify data or schema. Never infer a write from a read request. 2. Always ask the user for confirmation before calling this tool. Describe exactly what will change. 3. Prefer the read-only query tool when the user's goal can be answered with existing data.
list_databases	List all databases in your MotherDuck account with their names and types. Optionally filter by keywords to search in database names.
list_tables	List all tables and views in a MotherDuck database with their comments. Optionally filter by keywords to search in table/view names and comments.
list_columns	List all columns of a table or view with their types and comments.
search_catalog	Search the catalog for databases, schemas, tables, columns, shares using fuzzy matching. Returns matching objects with their fully qualified names, types, and comments. Useful for discovering available data when you don't know exact names.
ask_docs_question	Ask a question about DuckDB or MotherDuck. Returns answers from official documentation.
list_shares	List all database shares that have been shared with you. Returns share names and URLs. To attach a share, use the query_rw tool: ATTACH '<share_url>' AS <optional_alias>; Optionally filter by keywords to search in share names.
list_dives	List all dives in MotherDuck. Dives are interactive React data apps that query live data. Returns metadata including current_version (the latest version number, 1-indexed) for each dive. Use read_dive with the optional version parameter to retrieve a specific historical version. Optionally filter by keywords to search in title and description.
save_dive	Save a new dive to MotherDuck. Returns a URL the user can click to view the dive. Call get_dive_guide first and iterate with the user on the design thoroughly before suggesting to save. Never save without previous confirmation that iteration is done.
update_dive	Update an existing dive's title, description, or content. Returns a URL the user can click to view the updated dive. At least one field must be provided.
read_dive	Read a specific dive by ID, including its full JSX/React component code. Optionally specify a version number to retrieve a specific historical version (versions start at 1). If no version is specified, the latest version is returned.
delete_dive	Delete a dive by ID. This action is permanent and cannot be undone.
get_dive_guide	Load instructions for creating MotherDuck dives. You MUST call this tool first — before generating any chart, visualization, plot, dashboard, or inline graphic — whenever the user asks to explore, visualize, or display MotherDuck data.
share_dive_data	Share the data for a dive with your organization. Creates org-scoped shares for owned databases used in the dive, and updates the dive so others in the organization can view it.
edit_dive_content	Edit a dive's content by applying one or more text replacements, then save to MotherDuck. Accepts `id` (dive UUID) and `edits` (an array of {old_string, new_string, replace_all?} objects). Reads the current content from MotherDuck, applies edits in sequence, validates, and persists. Example: {id: '...', edits: [{old_string: 'foo', new_string: 'bar'}]}. old_string must be unique unless replace_all is true. No prior read_dive call is needed.