How to Use the Node-RED MCP in Windsurf

Q: How do I connect the Node-RED MCP Server to Windsurf?

Open your mcpconfig.json file via Settings, then Cascade, then the MCP Servers UI. Add the server details under the mcpServers object and hit the refresh button in the panel.

Q: Can Windsurf install new nodes in Node-RED automatically?

Yes. Cascade uses the installnode tool to fetch and add npm packages to your palette. You just tell it what integration you need.

Let Windsurf's Cascade agent manage your Node-RED flows and system diagnostics without breaking your focus.

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Setup Node-RED with Windsurf

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Map and modify flows with Windsurf

The `get_flows` and `set_flows` tools give your IDE direct access to your active Node-RED configuration. Cascade reads the current state of your workspace, figures out what nodes need tweaking, and pushes the updated JSON payload back to the server. You don't have to switch tabs to the browser editor just to rewire a broken connection. Need to make a targeted fix? Cascade can pull down a specific tab using `get_flow`, rewrite the logic, and push it back via `update_flow`. It handles the entire sequence autonomously while you watch the diffs apply in real time.

Install and remove node modules

The `install_node` tool lets your agent add new capabilities to your palette directly from the npm registry. When your project requires a new database connector or hardware integration, Cascade spots the missing dependency and installs it for you. Cleaning up old projects works exactly the same way. Your agent lists everything currently loaded using `get_nodes`, identifies deprecated packages, and strips them out with `remove_node`. The workspace stays clean without manual intervention.

Monitor this MCP Server health

The `get_diagnostics` tool exposes raw CPU, memory, and runtime metrics straight to your editor. If a newly deployed flow starts eating up resources, Cascade can pull the stats, identify the spike, and warn you before the Node-RED instance crashes. You also get full visibility into the environment through `get_settings`. Checking authentication methods, editor configurations, or runtime variables takes one request instead of hunting through configuration files on the host machine.

Setup guide

Set up Node-RED MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the Node-RED MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my Node-RED payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the Node-RED tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "node-red-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

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Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Node-RED. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about Node-RED MCP in Windsurf

Open your `mcp_config.json` file via Settings, then Cascade, then the MCP Servers UI. Add the server details under the `mcpServers` object and hit the refresh button in the panel.

Yes. Cascade uses the `install_node` tool to fetch and add npm packages to your palette. You just tell it what integration you need.

You might be trying to push invalid JSON. Cascade usually catches this, but checking the output of `get_diagnostics` will tell you if the runtime rejected the payload due to memory limits or syntax errors.

If the server is listed there, you can install it with one click. Otherwise, you just paste the configuration into your local settings file and Cascade auto-discovers the tools immediately.

This integration accesses your flow configurations, installed node lists, and system diagnostics like CPU and memory usage. Vinkius isolates this connection in an ephemeral V8 sandbox, meaning your raw JSON payloads and runtime metrics pass directly to your agent without being stored.

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