> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.umbraco.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/cms-developer-mcp/cli-usage.md).

# CLI Usage

The Developer MCP Server can also be used as a CLI tool. This wraps the same MCP server and exposes the same tools, but runs them directly from the command line. It is a quick way to connect to Umbraco without any host setup.

The MCP connection is more context-efficient because the host manages tool selection and conversation state. The CLI is a simpler alternative when you want to get started quickly or debug your configuration.

## Claude Code Plugin

If you are using Claude Code, install the Developer MCP plugin. The `/umb-cms-dev-cli` skill lets you run queries against Umbraco directly from Claude Code.

```bash
/plugin marketplace add umbraco/Umbraco-CMS-MCP-Dev
/plugin install umb-cms-mcp@umb-cms-mcp-plugins 
```

Once installed, use `/umb-cms-dev-cli` with a query to interact with Umbraco:

```
/umb-cms-dev-cli tell me what properties the home document type has
/umb-cms-dev-cli list all published content under the homepage
/umb-cms-dev-cli show me the media library structure
```

## CLI Reference

For the full reference of CLI flags, runtime modes (readonly and dry-run), introspection commands, and input sanitization, see the [CLI Reference](/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/base-mcp/sdk/cli.md).


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/cms-developer-mcp/cli-usage.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.