What is MCP and how does flexx use it?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI agents interact with external tools. flexx turns your machine into an MCP server — AI agents like Cursor, Claude, and ChatGPT can read files, run commands, and edit code on your machine through the relay.

Which AI tools work with flexx?

Any tool that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) works with flexx. This includes Cursor, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT with MCP plugins, OpenAI Codex, and any custom MCP client.

Can I use flexx without installing anything?

Yes — for Memory. Create a free account and connect any MCP client; the memory tools need no install and no machine. Remote tools (files, shell, screenshots, tunnels) only become available after you install the flexx CLI on a machine and connect it.

Is my machine exposed to the internet?

No. Your machine only makes outbound WebSocket connections to the relay. Zero inbound ports are opened. The relay mediates all communication between AI agents and your machine.

How do I connect Cursor to my machine via MCP?

Install flexx (curl -fsSL https://cli.flexx.dev/install.sh | sh), run 'flexx setup', then add the MCP server URL https://relay.flexx.dev/v1/mcp in Cursor Settings → MCP → Add Server. OAuth authentication is handled automatically.

Yes. The free tier includes unlimited remotes, unlimited MCP tools, SSH access, and localhost tunneling. Managed and team tiers with additional features are coming soon.

System Service

Run flexx as a persistent system service on Linux (systemd) or macOS (launchd). Auto-start on boot.

Install

flexx service install

This creates a service that starts flexx connect automatically on boot.

Linux (systemd)

Creates a user-level systemd unit at ~/.config/systemd/user/flexx-remote.service.

systemctl --user status flexx-remote     # Check status
systemctl --user restart flexx-remote    # Restart
systemctl --user stop flexx-remote       # Stop
journalctl --user -u flexx-remote -f     # View logs

macOS (launchd)

Creates a LaunchAgent at ~/Library/LaunchAgents/dev.flexx.remote.plist.

launchctl list dev.flexx.remote    # Check status

Windows

System service installation is not supported on Windows. Use background mode instead:

flexx connect --daemon

Uninstall

flexx service uninstall

Status

flexx service status

Logs

flexx service logs    # Linux only (via journalctl)

Alternative: background mode

If you don't want a system service, run the daemon in the background:

flexx connect --daemon

Check status with:

flexx status

System Service

InstallCopy Anchor Link

Linux (systemd)Copy Anchor Link

macOS (launchd)Copy Anchor Link

WindowsCopy Anchor Link

UninstallCopy Anchor Link

StatusCopy Anchor Link

LogsCopy Anchor Link

Alternative: background modeCopy Anchor Link

On this page