Overview

Eechat is an open-source, cross-platform desktop client for connecting to MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers from Linux, macOS, and Windows. It provides a graphical interface to discover and interact with models exposed by an MCP-compatible server, manage conversation context, and persist histories locally so developers can iterate on prompts and sessions without constantly using a browser or CLI.

For developers and teams who run self-hosted model endpoints or third-party MCP servers, Eechat centralizes tasks like switching between servers, selecting models, and inspecting context windows. It is particularly useful for prompt engineering, debugging model behavior, and maintaining reproducible conversation contexts across machines.

Features

Cross-platform desktop client (Linux, macOS, Windows)
Connect to one or more MCP servers via URL and token
Model discovery and selection from connected servers
Conversation/session management with context persistence
Local message history with export/import options
Secure token storage (local) and optional TLS verification
Multiple profiles/accounts and server configurations
Desktop notifications and system tray support (platform dependent)
Open-source code and issue tracker on GitHub

Installation / Configuration

Note: binaries and installers are published on the GitHub releases page. Replace placeholders below with the actual release version you need.

Linux (AppImage)

# Download latest AppImage (replace VERSION)
wget https://github.com/Lucassssss/eechat/releases/download/vVERSION/eechat-VERSION.AppImage
chmod +x eechat-VERSION.AppImage
./eechat-VERSION.AppImage

macOS (dmg or Homebrew when available)

# Example: open downloaded DMG then drag to Applications
hdiutil attach eechat-VERSION.dmg
# or, if a Homebrew formula exists:
brew install --cask eechat

Windows (installer)

Run the downloaded installer .exe or .msi from the releases page and follow the setup wizard.

Configuration file (JSON) Eechat stores server and profile configuration in a local JSON file. Example structure:

{
  "profiles": [
    {
      "name": "work-mcp",
      "servers": [
        {
          "name": "local-mcp",
          "url": "https://mcp.example.local",
          "token": "YOUR_API_TOKEN",
          "verify_tls": true,
          "default_model": "local-model-v1"
        }
      ]
    }
  ],
  "ui": {
    "theme": "system",
    "notifications": true
  }
}

Common configuration keys

Key	Type	Description
name	string	Friendly name for server or profile
url	string	Base URL of the MCP server
token	string	API/auth token for the server
verify_tls	bool	Whether to verify TLS certificates
default_model	string	Model to auto-select when connecting

Tip: Keep tokens secure. Use OS keyrings where available or restrict permissions on the config file.

Available Resources

GitHub repository: https://github.com/Lucassssss/eechat — source, releases, and issue tracker
Releases: check the repository’s Releases page for platform installers and release notes
MCP protocol documentation: consult your MCP server implementation or the MCP spec for protocol details
Community: open issues and pull requests on GitHub for feature requests and bug reports

Use Cases

Prompt engineering and experimentation
- Connect Eechat to a local or remote MCP server that exposes experimental models. Create sessions to test different system prompts and input sequences, then export/import contexts for reproducibility.
Self-hosted model development and debugging
- When developing a model server, use Eechat to quickly exercise endpoints, inspect returned messages, and reproduce edge cases without writing a custom client.
Team workflows and shared contexts
- Maintain per-project profiles that point to a shared MCP staging server. Team members can use the same default model and import/export conversation files to collaborate on prompt design.
Integrating into development workflows
- Use Eechat alongside code editors and terminal tools: keep Eechat open to iterate on prompts or example conversations while implementing model client code. Export conversation logs for unit tests or documentation.

Getting Help & Contributing

Report bugs and request features via the GitHub Issues page.
Fork the repo and open pull requests for fixes or enhancements.
Check the repository README and releases for any platform-specific notes, known issues, and contribution guidelines.

This article provides the high-level workflow and practical examples to help developers get started using Eechat as a desktop MCP client. Refer to the GitHub repository for the latest binaries, detailed release notes, and contribution instructions.

Eechat: Open-Source Cross-Platform MCP Server Client