Add CLI and config file support

.gitignore

@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 .DS_Store
-node_modules
+node_modules/
+*-workspace/
 server/build
 client/dist
 client/tsconfig.app.tsbuildinfo
 client/tsconfig.node.tsbuildinfo
 .vscode
+bin/build
+cli/build
+test-output

README.md

@@ -21,13 +21,13 @@ You can pass both arguments and environment variables to your MCP server. Argume
 npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector build/index.js arg1 arg2
 
 # Pass environment variables only
-npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e KEY=value -e KEY2=$VALUE2 node build/index.js
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e key=value -e key2=$VALUE2 node build/index.js
 
 # Pass both environment variables and arguments
-npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e KEY=value -e KEY2=$VALUE2 node build/index.js arg1 arg2
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e key=value -e key2=$VALUE2 node build/index.js arg1 arg2
 
 # Use -- to separate inspector flags from server arguments
-npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e KEY=$VALUE -- node build/index.js -e server-flag
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector -e key=$VALUE -- node build/index.js -e server-flag
 ```
 
 The inspector runs both a client UI (default port 5173) and an MCP proxy server (default port 3000). Open the client UI in your browser to use the inspector. You can customize the ports if needed:
@@ -48,12 +48,42 @@ The MCP Inspector includes a proxy server that can run and communicate with loca
 
 ### Configuration
 
-The MCP Inspector supports the following configuration settings. To change them click on the `Configuration` button in the MCP Inspector UI :
+The MCP Inspector supports the following configuration settings. To change them click on the `Configuration` button in the MCP Inspector UI:
 
 | Name                       | Purpose                                                                                   | Default Value |
 | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- |
 | MCP_SERVER_REQUEST_TIMEOUT | Maximum time in milliseconds to wait for a response from the MCP server before timing out | 10000         |
 
+The inspector also supports configuration files to store settings for different MCP servers. This is useful when working with multiple servers or complex configurations:
+
+```bash
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --config path/to/config.json --server everything
+```
+
+Example server configuration file:
+
+```json
+{
+  "mcpServers": {
+    "everything": {
+      "command": "npx",
+      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-everything"],
+      "env": {
+        "hello": "Hello MCP!"
+      }
+    },
+    "my-server": {
+      "command": "node",
+      "args": ["build/index.js", "arg1", "arg2"],
+      "env": {
+        "key": "value",
+        "key2": "value2"
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+```
+
 ### From this repository
 
 If you're working on the inspector itself:
@@ -78,6 +108,57 @@ npm run build
 npm start
 ```
 
+### CLI Mode
+
+CLI mode enables programmatic interaction with MCP servers from the command line, ideal for scripting, automation, and integration with coding assistants. This creates an efficient feedback loop for MCP server development.
+
+```bash
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js
+```
+
+The CLI mode supports most operations across tools, resources, and prompts. A few examples:
+
+```bash
+# Basic usage
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js
+
+# With config file
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli --config path/to/config.json --server myserver
+
+# List available tools
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method tools/list
+
+# Call a specific tool
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method tools/call --tool-name mytool --tool-arg key=value --tool-arg another=value2
+
+# List available resources
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method resources/list
+
+# List available prompts
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli node build/index.js --method prompts/list
+
+# Connect to a remote MCP server
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli https://my-mcp-server.example.com
+
+# Call a tool on a remote server
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli https://my-mcp-server.example.com --method tools/call --tool-name remotetool --tool-arg param=value
+
+# List resources from a remote server
+npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli https://my-mcp-server.example.com --method resources/list
+```
+
+### UI Mode vs CLI Mode: When to Use Each
+
+| Use Case                 | UI Mode                                                                   | CLI Mode                                                                                                                                             |
+| ------------------------ | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
+| **Server Development**   | Visual interface for interactive testing and debugging during development | Scriptable commands for quick testing and continuous integration; creates feedback loops with AI coding assistants like Cursor for rapid development |
+| **Resource Exploration** | Interactive browser with hierarchical navigation and JSON visualization   | Programmatic listing and reading for automation and scripting                                                                                        |
+| **Tool Testing**         | Form-based parameter input with real-time response visualization          | Command-line tool execution with JSON output for scripting                                                                                           |
+| **Prompt Engineering**   | Interactive sampling with streaming responses and visual comparison       | Batch processing of prompts with machine-readable output                                                                                             |
+| **Debugging**            | Request history, visualized errors, and real-time notifications           | Direct JSON output for log analysis and integration with other tools                                                                                 |
+| **Automation**           | N/A                                                                       | Ideal for CI/CD pipelines, batch processing, and integration with coding assistants                                                                  |
+| **Learning MCP**         | Rich visual interface helps new users understand server capabilities      | Simplified commands for focused learning of specific endpoints                                                                                       |
+
 ## License
 
 This project is licensed under the MIT License—see the [LICENSE](LICENSE) file for details.