ZIP MCP Server
The ZIP MCP Server acts as a digital packing assistant for AI models, allowing them to manage compressed files just like a human would. This tool gives AI assistants the ability to create new ZIP archives, open existing ones, and see exactly what's inside a folder without having to extract …
About this Protocol
How to Use
1. Installation
You can install the ZIP MCP Server globally using npm:
npm install -g zip-mcp
2. Configuration
To use the ZIP MCP Server in your MCP-compatible AI client (such as Claude Desktop or Cursor), add the following to your mcpServers configuration JSON:
{
"mcpServers": {
"zip-mcp": {
"command": "zip-mcp",
"args": []
}
}
}
3. Available Tools
The ZIP MCP Server provides the following tools for file management:
compress: Compresses local files or directories into a ZIP file.- Parameters:
input(string or string array): Path of the file or directory to be compressed.output(string): Path of the output ZIP file.options(optional):level(0-9),password,encryptionStrength(1-3),overwrite(boolean).
- Parameters:
decompress: Decompresses local ZIP files to a specified directory.- Parameters:
input(string): Path of the ZIP file.output(string): Path of the output directory.options(optional):password,overwrite(boolean),createDirectories(boolean).
- Parameters:
getZipInfo: Retrieves metadata from local ZIP files.- Parameters:
input(string): Path of the ZIP file.options(optional):password.
- Parameters:
echo: A test tool to verify if the service is running correctly.- Parameters:
message(string): The message to be returned.
- Parameters:
4. Usage Examples
Compressing files with a password:
"Compress the folder at /path/to/files into a ZIP file named output.zip with a compression level of 9 and set the password to 'secret'."
Decompressing an archive:
"Extract all files from archive.zip to the directory /path/to/extract, ensuring that any existing files are overwritten."
Checking ZIP contents:
"Show me the metadata and file list for the ZIP file located at /path/to/archive.zip."
Testing the server:
"Send an echo message 'Hello ZIP MCP' to verify the server is active."
Use Cases
Use Case 1: Automated Project Archiving for Distribution
Problem: Developers frequently need to package specific project files (like source code, documentation, and configuration) for a release or to share a bug reproduction with a colleague. Manually selecting files and running terminal commands is a context switch that interrupts the workflow.
Solution: The AI can use the compress tool to identify relevant files and bundle them into a single ZIP file with a high compression level (9). It can even exclude unnecessary folders like node_modules or .git by only selecting the necessary input paths.
Example: "Claude, please bundle all the .ts files in my src folder and the README.md into a file named v1-alpha-release.zip using the highest compression level."
Use Case 2: Securely Sharing Sensitive Logs or Data
Problem: When troubleshooting, developers may need to send log files or database exports that contain sensitive information. Sending these files as plain text is a security risk.
Solution: The ZIP MCP Server allows for password protection and varying levels of encryption strength. The AI can be instructed to compress sensitive assets and apply a secure password before the user uploads the file to a shared drive or messaging platform.
Example: "I need to send these server logs to the security team. Compress the logs/error-logs directory into secure-logs.zip, set the encryption strength to 3, and use a strong random password."
Use Case 3: Pre-Extraction Archive Inspection
Problem: Users often download ZIP files from the internet and are unsure of their exact contents or size. Extracting a massive or nested archive without knowing what’s inside can clutter the local file system or trigger security concerns.
Solution: Using the getZipInfo tool, the AI can "peek" inside the archive to list the total number of files, the compression ratio, and the specific file names and sizes without actually decompressing the file.
Example: "I just downloaded dataset.zip. Before I extract it, tell me what files are inside, how big they are, and if the compression ratio suggests it contains mostly text or binary data."
Use Case 4: Automated Workspace Cleanup and Log Rotation
Problem: Local development environments often become cluttered with old log files, build artifacts, and temporary data that take up significant disk space but shouldn't be deleted permanently.
Solution: The AI can act as a maintenance assistant. It can identify files older than a certain date, use the compress tool to archive them into a single "Archive" folder to save space (due to high compression ratios for text files), and then delete the original loose files.
Example: "Look through my temp_outputs folder. Zip every file created more than a week ago into old_runs_backup.zip and then delete the originals to save space."
Use Case 5: Facilitating Multi-File Downloads via AI Clients
Problem: Many AI clients have limits on how many individual files can be uploaded or downloaded in a single turn. Moving a folder structure with 50 small files is tedious.
Solution: By using the decompress tool, a user can upload a single ZIP file to the AI's environment, and the AI can programmatically extract it to the correct directory structure to begin working on a project. Conversely, it can zip its entire output for the user to download in one click.
Example: "I've uploaded frontend-boilerplate.zip. Please decompress it into my current working directory, creating any folders that don't exist, and then tell me when you're ready to start coding."