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io.github.jkakar/recipe-mcp

Generate and remix recipes using cookwith.co

Developer ToolsTypeScriptv1.0.4

Recipe MCP Server

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that provides AI-powered recipe generation and transformation tools. Generate personalized recipes based on dietary preferences, transform existing recipes to meet nutritional goals, and more.

Features

  • 🍳 Generate Recipes - Create custom recipes from natural language descriptions
  • πŸ”„ Transform Recipes - Modify existing recipes (make vegan, adjust calories, etc.)
  • πŸ₯— Dietary Support - Handle allergies, restrictions, and food preferences
  • πŸ“Š Nutrition Goals - Target specific calorie and protein requirements
  • πŸ†“ Open Access - No API key required (rate limited)

Installation

For Claude Desktop

  1. Install the MCP server:
npm install -g @cookwith/recipe-mcp
  1. Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:
    • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
    • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "recipe-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@cookwith/recipe-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "COOKWITH_API_URL": "https://cookwith.co"
      }
    }
  }
}
  1. Restart Claude Desktop

For Development

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/cookwith/recipe-mcp.git
cd recipe-mcp

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Run in development mode
npm run dev

Usage Examples

Generate a Recipe

// In Claude Desktop, you can say:
"Generate a healthy Mediterranean pasta dish with lots of vegetables"

// The tool will be called with:
{
  "prompt": "A healthy Mediterranean pasta dish with lots of vegetables",
  "dietaryRestrictions": ["vegetarian"],
  "calories": "450",
  "servings": 4
}

Transform a Recipe

// After generating or providing a recipe:
"Make this recipe vegan and reduce the calories by 200"

// The tool will be called with:
{
  "recipe": { /* existing recipe object */ },
  "instructions": "Make this vegan and reduce calories by 200",
  "calories": "350"
}

Tools

generate_recipe

Generate a new recipe based on natural language instructions.

Parameters:

  • prompt (string, required) - Natural language description
  • dietaryRestrictions (string[], optional) - e.g., ["vegetarian", "gluten-free"]
  • allergies (string[], optional) - Ingredients to avoid
  • dislikes (string[], optional) - Foods to exclude
  • calories (string, optional) - Target calories per serving
  • protein (string, optional) - Target protein in grams
  • servings (number, optional) - Number of servings (1-20, default: 4)

transform_recipe

Transform an existing recipe based on instructions.

Parameters:

  • recipe (object, required) - The recipe to transform
  • instructions (string, required) - How to modify the recipe
  • calories (string, optional) - New target calories
  • protein (string, optional) - New target protein
  • servings (number, optional) - New number of servings

Rate Limits

The public API has the following rate limits:

  • Anonymous Access: 20 requests per hour per IP address
  • No authentication required
  • Retry-After header provided when limit exceeded

Recipe Object Format

interface Recipe {
  title: string;
  description: string;
  ingredients: string[];      // e.g., ["2 cups flour", "1 tsp salt"]
  instructions: string[];      // Step-by-step instructions
  servings: number;
  prepTime?: number;          // Minutes
  cookTime?: number;          // Minutes
  totalTime?: number;         // Minutes
  cuisine?: string;           // e.g., "Italian", "Mexican"
  course?: string;            // e.g., "main", "dessert"
  difficulty?: string;        // e.g., "easy", "medium", "hard"
  calories?: number;          // Per serving
  protein?: number;           // Grams per serving
  carbs?: number;            // Grams per serving
  fat?: number;              // Grams per serving
  fiber?: number;            // Grams per serving
  sugar?: number;            // Grams per serving
  sodium?: number;           // Milligrams per serving
}

Configuration

Environment Variables

Custom API Endpoint

For development or self-hosted instances:

export COOKWITH_API_URL=http://localhost:3000
npx @cookwith/recipe-mcp

Examples

Basic Recipe Generation

// Request
{
  "prompt": "Quick and easy chicken stir-fry"
}

// Response
{
  "title": "Quick Chicken Stir-Fry",
  "description": "A delicious and speedy chicken stir-fry...",
  "ingredients": [
    "2 chicken breasts, sliced",
    "2 cups mixed vegetables",
    "3 tbsp soy sauce",
    // ...
  ],
  "instructions": [
    "Heat oil in a large wok or skillet",
    "Add chicken and cook until golden",
    // ...
  ],
  "servings": 4,
  "prepTime": 10,
  "cookTime": 15,
  "calories": 320,
  "protein": 28
}

Recipe Transformation

// Request
{
  "recipe": {
    "title": "Classic Beef Lasagna",
    "ingredients": ["1 lb ground beef", "ricotta cheese", ...],
    // ... full recipe
  },
  "instructions": "Make this vegetarian and lower in calories"
}

// Response
{
  "title": "Vegetarian Light Lasagna",
  "description": "A healthier vegetarian version...",
  "ingredients": [
    "2 cups chopped mushrooms",
    "1 cup low-fat ricotta",
    // ... transformed ingredients
  ],
  // ... rest of transformed recipe
}

Troubleshooting

Rate Limit Errors

If you receive a 429 error, you've exceeded the rate limit. Wait for the time specified in the retryAfter field before making another request.

Connection Issues

Ensure your internet connection is stable and the API endpoint is accessible.

Invalid Parameters

Check that your parameters match the expected format and constraints (e.g., servings between 1-20).

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please see our Contributing Guide for details.

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Support

Powered By

Installation

Source-derived launch command. Check the maintainer’s required arguments and credentials before running:

bash
npx -y @cookwith/recipe-mcp

Set up in your AI client

Merge this template into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Keep existing servers. Add any arguments, credentials, and permissions required by the maintainer; this template has not been install-tested.

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-jkakar-recipe-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@cookwith/recipe-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect. Confirm the server appears connected in the client’s tool list, then try a read-only example from its documentation.

Claude Desktop setup reference

Package

@cookwith/recipe-mcpnpm

Compatible MCP Clients

io.github.jkakar/recipe-mcp works with any MCP-compatible client. Copy the config snippet from the Configuration section above and add it to the file shown for your client, then restart the application.

  • Claude Desktop~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonRestart Claude Desktop completely for changes to take effect.
  • Cursor~/.cursor/mcp.jsonRestart Cursor for changes to take effect.
  • VS Code.vscode/mcp.jsonReload VS Code window for changes to take effect.
  • Windsurf~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.jsonRestart Windsurf for changes to take effect.
  • Claude Code.mcp.jsonSave at the project root, then start Claude Code in that project and review the MCP server approval prompt. Keep real credentials out of shared files.

Learn More