Heroku MCP Server

What is Heroku MCP Server about?

Provides a Model Context Protocol (MCP) implementation that lets LLM‑driven clients interact with Heroku resources—apps, dynos, add‑ons, pipelines, PostgreSQL databases, teams, and private spaces—using the authenticated Heroku CLI session.

How to use Heroku MCP Server?

1. Install the Heroku CLI (v10.8.1+). Verify with heroku --version.
2. Launch the server using the preferred command. The recommended approach is:

   npx -y @heroku/mcp-server
   

   This requires setting the HEROKU_API_KEY environment variable to a valid Heroku auth token (obtain via heroku auth:token or the dashboard).
3. Configure your client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, etc.) to point to the MCP server using the provided JSON snippets (command, args, env).
4. Once running, the client can issue tool calls such as list_apps, create_app, ps_scale, pg_backups, etc., and receive structured responses.

Key Features of Heroku MCP Server

• Direct, authenticated access to Heroku APIs without exposing raw API keys when using heroku mcp:start.
• Comprehensive tool set covering:
  • Application lifecycle (list, create, rename, transfer, deploy, one‑off dynos)
  • Dyno/process management (list, scale, restart)
  • Add‑on provisioning and inspection
  • Maintenance mode and log retrieval
  • Pipeline creation, promotion, and inspection
  • Team and private‑space enumeration
  • Full PostgreSQL management (queries, locks, backups, upgrades, etc.)
• Supports custom request timeout via MCP_SERVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT.
• Debuggable with MCP Inspector or VS Code launch configurations.

Use Cases of Heroku MCP Server

• Chat‑ops automation: Allow an AI assistant to deploy new apps, scale dynos, or rotate credentials on demand.
• Incident response: Quickly enable maintenance mode, restart problematic dynos, or retrieve recent logs via natural language.
• Developer productivity: Enable IDE extensions to execute Heroku commands without leaving the editor.
• Continuous integration: Trigger pipeline promotions or one‑off dyno runs from AI‑driven CI workflows.
• Database introspection: Run ad‑hoc SQL queries, monitor locks, and manage backups through conversational interfaces.

FAQ from the Heroku MCP Server

Q: Do I need to expose my API key? A: No, if you launch the server with heroku mcp:start it uses the current CLI authentication. The npx method requires HEROKU_API_KEY.

Q: Which Heroku CLI version is required? A: Version 10.8.1 or newer.

Q: Can I run the server on a non‑Heroku machine? A: Yes, the server runs anywhere Node.js is available, provided it can reach the Heroku API and you supply a valid token.

Q: How are timeouts handled? A: The MCP_SERVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT env variable sets the max request duration (default 15000 ms).

Q: Is the server open‑source? A: Yes, the code is hosted at https://github.com/heroku/heroku-mcp-server.

heroku-mcp-server

The Heroku Platform MCP Server works on Common Runtime, Cedar Private and Shield Spaces, and Fir Private Spaces.

Prerequisites

• Heroku CLI must be installed globally on your system, version 10.8.1 or higher.
  • Install or upgrade the Heroku CLI

Deploy on Heroku

Overview

The Heroku Platform MCP Server is a specialized Model Context Protocol (MCP) implementation designed to facilitate seamless interaction between large language models (LLMs) and the Heroku Platform. This server provides a robust set of tools and capabilities that enable LLMs to read, manage, and operate Heroku Platform resources.

Key Features:

• Direct interaction with Heroku Platform resources through LLM-driven tools
• Secure and authenticated access to Heroku Platform APIs, leveraging the Heroku CLI
• Natural language interface for Heroku Platform interactions

Note: The Heroku Platform MCP Server is currently in early development. As we continue to enhance and refine the implementation, the available functionality and tools may evolve. We welcome feedback and contributions to help shape the future of this project.

Note: The Heroku Platform MCP Server requires the Heroku CLI to be installed globally (v10.8.1+). Ensure you have the correct version by running heroku --version.

Configure the Heroku Platform MCP Server

You can configure Claude Desktop, Zed, Cursor, Windsurf, and other clients to work with the Heroku Platform MCP Server.

Configure the Heroku Platform MCP Server with heroku mcp:start

Use heroku mcp:start to launch the Heroku Platform MCP Server. We recommend this method as it leverages your existing Heroku CLI authentication, so you don't need to set the HEROKU_API_KEY environment variable. The heroku mcp:start command is available in Heroku CLI version 10.8.1 and later.

There are several benefits to configuring with heroku mcp:start:

• No need to manage or expose your Heroku API key
• Uses your current Heroku CLI authentication context
• Works seamlessly with supported clients

Example configuration for Claude Desktop:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "heroku mcp:start"
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Zed:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": {
        "path": "heroku",
        "args": ["mcp:start"]
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Cursor:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "heroku mcp:start"
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Windsurf:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "heroku mcp:start"
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Cline:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "heroku mcp:start"
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for VSCode:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "heroku": {
        "type": "stdio",
        "command": "heroku",
        "args": ["mcp:start"]
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Trae:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "heroku mcp:start"
    }
  }
}

Note: When you use heroku mcp:start, the server authenticates using your current Heroku CLI session so you don't need to set the HEROKU_API_KEY environment variable. We recommend you use heroku mcp:start, but if you prefer to use an API key, you can use the alternate configuration below.

Configure the Heroku Platform MCP Server with npx -y @heroku/mcp-server

You can also launch the Heroku Platform MCP Server using the npx -y @heroku/mcp-server command. This method requires you to set the HEROKU_API_KEY environment variable with your Heroku authorization token.

Generating the HEROKU_API_KEY

Generate a Heroku authorization token with one of these methods:

• Use the Heroku CLI command:

    heroku authorizations:create
  

• Use an existing token in the CLI

    heroku auth:token
  

  Copy the token and use it as your HEROKU_API_KEY in the following steps.

• In your Heroku Dashboard:

  1. Select your avatar, then select Account Settings.
  2. Open the Applications tab.
  3. Next to Authorizations, click Create authorization.

Example configuration for Claude Desktop:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Zed:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
        "env": {
          "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Cursor:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx -y @heroku/mcp-server",
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Windsurf:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Cline:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for VSCode:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "heroku": {
        "type": "stdio",
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
        "env": {
          "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Example configuration for Trae:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Note: When you use npx -y @heroku/mcp-server, you must set the HEROKU_API_KEY environment variable with your Heroku authorization token.

Available Tools

Application Management

• list_apps - List all Heroku apps. You can filter apps by personal, collaborator, team, or space.
• get_app_info - Get detailed information about an app, including its configuration, dynos, and add-ons.
• create_app - Create a new app with customizable settings for region, team, and space.
• rename_app - Rename an existing app.
• transfer_app - Transfer ownership of an app to another user or team.
• deploy_to_heroku - Deploy projects to Heroku with an app.json configuration, supporting team deployments, private spaces, and environment setups.
• deploy_one_off_dyno - Execute code or commands in a sandboxed environment on a Heroku one-off dyno. Supports file creation, network access, environment variables, and automatic cleanup. Ideal for running scripts, tests, or temporary workloads.

Process & Dyno Management

• ps_list - List all dynos for an app.
• ps_scale - Scale the number of dynos up or down, or resize dynos.
• ps_restart - Restart specific dynos, process types, or all dynos.

Add-ons

• list_addons - List all add-ons for all apps or for a specific app.
• get_addon_info - Get detailed information about a specific add-on.
• create_addon - Provision a new add-on for an app.

Maintenance & Logs

• maintenance_on - Enable maintenance mode for an app.
• maintenance_off - Disable maintenance mode for an app.
• get_app_logs - View application logs.

Pipeline Management

• pipelines_create - Create a new pipeline.
• pipelines_promote - Promote apps to the next stage in a pipeline.
• pipelines_list - List available pipelines.
• pipelines_info - Get detailed pipeline information.

Team & Space Management

• list_teams - List teams you belong to.
• list_private_spaces - List available spaces.

PostgreSQL Database Management

• pg_psql - Execute SQL queries against the Heroku PostgreSQL database.
• pg_info - Display detailed database information.
• pg_ps - View active queries and execution details.
• pg_locks - View database locks and identify blocking transactions.
• pg_outliers - Identify resource-intensive queries.
• pg_credentials - Manage database credentials and access.
• pg_kill - Terminate specific database processes.
• pg_maintenance - Show database maintenance information.
• pg_backups - Manage database backups and schedules.
• pg_upgrade - Upgrade PostgreSQL to a newer version.

Debugging

You can use the MCP inspector or the VS Code Run and Debug function to run and debug the server.

1. Link the project as a global CLI using npm link from the project root.
2. Build with npm run build:dev or watch for file changes and build automatically with npm run build:watch.

Use the MCP Inspector

Use the MCP inspector with no breakpoints in the code:

# Breakpoints are not available
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector heroku-mcp-server

Alternatively, if you installed the package in a specific directory or are actively developing on the Heroku MCP server:

cd /path/to/servers
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector dist/index.js

Use the VS Code Run and Debug Function

Use the VS Code Run and Debug launcher with fully functional breakpoints in the code:

1. Locate and select the run debug.
2. Select the configuration labeled "MCP Server Launcher" in the dropdown.
3. Select the run/debug button.

VS Code / Cursor Debugging Setup

To set up local debugging with breakpoints:

1. Store your Heroku auth token in the VS Code user settings:

   • Open the Command Palette (Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + P).
   • Type Preferences: Open User Settings (JSON).
   • Add the following snippet:

   {
     "heroku.mcp.authToken": "your-token-here"
   }
   

2. Create or update .vscode/launch.json:

   {
     "version": "0.2.0",
     "configurations": [
       {
         "type": "node",
         "request": "launch",
         "name": "MCP Server Launcher",
         "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
         "program": "${workspaceFolder}/node_modules/@modelcontextprotocol/inspector/bin/cli.js",
         "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/**/dist/**/*.js"],
         "env": {
           "HEROKU_API_KEY": "${config:heroku.mcp.authToken}",
           "DEBUG": "true"
         },
         "args": ["heroku-mcp-server"],
         "sourceMaps": true,
         "console": "integratedTerminal",
         "internalConsoleOptions": "neverOpen",
         "preLaunchTask": "npm: build:watch"
       },
       {
         "type": "node",
         "request": "attach",
         "name": "Attach to Debug Hook Process",
         "port": 9332,
         "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
         "sourceMaps": true,
         "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"]
       },
       {
         "type": "node",
         "request": "attach",
         "name": "Attach to REPL Process",
         "port": 9333,
         "skipFiles": ["<node_internals>/**"],
         "sourceMaps": true,
         "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"]
       }
     ],
     "compounds": [
       {
         "name": "Attach to MCP Server",
         "configurations": ["Attach to Debug Hook Process", "Attach to REPL Process"]
       }
     ]
   }
   

3. Create .vscode/tasks.json:

   {
     "version": "2.0.0",
     "tasks": [
       {
         "type": "npm",
         "script": "build:watch",
         "group": {
           "kind": "build",
           "isDefault": true
         },
         "problemMatcher": ["$tsc"]
       }
     ]
   }
   

4. (Optional) Set breakpoints in your TypeScript files.

5. Press F5 or use the Run and Debug sidebar.

Note: the debugger automatically builds your TypeScript files before launching.

Installing via Smithery

To install Heroku Platform MCP Server for Claude Desktop automatically via Smithery:

npx -y @smithery/cli install @heroku/heroku-mcp-server --client claude

Environment Variables

The Heroku Platform MCP Server supports the following environment variables:

HEROKU_API_KEY

Your Heroku authorization token. Required for authentication with the Heroku Platform.

MCP_SERVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT

Timeout in milliseconds for command execution. Defaults to 15000 (15 seconds) if not set.

Example configuration with custom timeout:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heroku": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@heroku/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "HEROKU_API_KEY": "<YOUR_HEROKU_AUTH_TOKEN>",
        "MCP_SERVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "30000"
      }
    }
  }
}