Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) Connector for AI agents.

18 live capabilities

Manage your self-hosted mesh network and VPN nodes through natural conversation.

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AI Agent

Why people use Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Headscale VPN Management for Self-Hosted Mesh Networks

This Headscale MCP changes that by putting your network controls into a chat. You just tell your agent to create a user or expire a node, and it happens instantly. You get to manage your infrastructure as fast as you can type.

What Vinkius changes

That you turn your AI into a hands-on network administrator for your private VPN.

Use it from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another AI client you already have.

One account · 5,900+ Connectors

Real-world use case 01

Remote Employee Onboarding

A new hire needs VPN access.
Real-world use case 02

Security Breach Response

A laptop is reported stolen.
Real-world use case 03

Network Migration

A team is moving to a new subnet.

Complete set · 18capabilities

The complete Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) capability set.

These are the exact actions your AI can choose when you ask it to work with Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

Capability set01 / 05

01—04

4 capabilities in this set.

Part of 18 available through Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

01 Capability
Expire api key
Expire_api_key invalidates an existing API key. This prevents it from being used for any further requests.
02 Capability
Expire node
Expire_node forces a machine's session to end immediately. This kicks the device off the network for security reasons.
03 Capability
Expire preauth key
Expire_preauth_key makes a pre-auth key invalid. It ensures the key can no longer be used to register new devices.
04 Capability
Create preauth key
Create_preauth_key creates a pre-auth key to let new machines join your network. This removes the need for manual approval during onboarding.

Capability set02 / 05

05—08

4 capabilities in this set.

Part of 18 available through Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

05 Capability
Create user
Create_user adds a new administrative user to your Headscale network. You can use this to organize different namespaces for your teams.
06 Capability
Delete node
Delete_node removes a specific machine from your network. Use this to terminate a connection immediately.
07 Capability
Delete user
Delete_user removes a user from your Headscale instance. This revokes their access to all nodes they were associated with.
08 Capability
Disable route
Disable_route turns off a specific network route. This stops traffic from moving through a certain path in your mesh.

Capability set03 / 05

09—12

4 capabilities in this set.

Part of 18 available through Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

09 Capability
Enable route
Enable_route turns on a network route. This allows traffic to flow between your private nodes as needed.
10 Capability
Get node
Get_node fetches the specific details and status for a machine. You can check its IP and connection state quickly.
11 Capability
List api keys
List_api_keys shows a full list of all API keys on your instance. Use this to audit who has access to your network.
12 Capability
List nodes
List_nodes views every machine currently connected to your private mesh network. This provides a quick overview of your active fleet.

Capability set04 / 05

13—15

3 capabilities in this set.

Part of 18 available through Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

13 Capability
List preauth keys
List_preauth_keys shows all active pre-auth keys. This helps you track which keys are available for new device registrations.
14 Capability
List routes
List_routes views all subnet routes and exit nodes. This shows you exactly how your network traffic is being directed.
15 Capability
List users
List_users shows all administrative users in your Headscale setup. This helps you manage permissions across different namespaces.

Capability set05 / 05

16—18

3 capabilities in this set.

Part of 18 available through Headscale (Tailscale Alternative).

16 Capability
Rename node
Rename_node changes the display name of a machine. This keeps your network dashboard organized and easy to read.
17 Capability
Create api key
Create_api_key generates a new API key for your Headscale instance. This allows you to authorize your AI agent to perform actions.
18 Capability
Move node
Move_node changes which user a specific machine belongs to. This is useful for reassigning hardware between different teams.

Set up in minutes

One URL. Then ask Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) to work.

Claude and ChatGPT only need the Connector URL. Copy it once, add it in settings, and use Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) from the conversation.

Choose your client

Live preview

Advanced clients IDE · CLI

Claude · Web + desktop

Official guide ↗

Connector URL · ready to paste

Streamable HTTP

https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp

Step 01

Open Connectors

In Claude Web or Claude Desktop, open Settings and choose Connectors.
Step 02

Add the URL

Choose Add custom connector, name it Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), and paste the URL above.
Step 03

Turn it on in chat

Select +, open Connectors, and enable Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) for the conversation.

ChatGPT · Web + desktop

Official guide ↗

Connector URL · ready to paste

Streamable HTTP

https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp

Step 01

Open MCP settings

On desktop, open Settings and MCP servers. On web, open your workspace app or connector settings.
Step 02

Add the URL

Choose Add server with Streamable HTTP, or create a custom MCP app, then paste the Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) URL.
Step 03

Save and start

Save the connection and enable Headscale (Tailscale Alternative) in your conversation. Desktop may ask you to restart once.

Cursor · IDE configuration

Official guide ↗

Advanced setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "headscale-tailscale-alternative": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Step 01

Open MCP Settings

Press Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) → search "MCP Settings"
Step 02

Add the server config

Paste the JSON configuration above into the mcp.json file that opens
Step 03

Save the file

Cursor will automatically detect the new Connector
Step 04

Start using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Open Agent mode in chat and ask: "Using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), help me...". 18 tools available

VS Code Copilot · IDE configuration

Official guide ↗

Advanced setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "headscale-tailscale-alternative": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Step 01

Create MCP config

Create a .vscode/mcp.json file in your project root
Step 02

Add the server config

Paste the JSON configuration above
Step 03

Enable Agent mode

Open GitHub Copilot Chat and switch to Agent mode using the dropdown
Step 04

Start using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Ask Copilot: "Using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), help me...". 18 tools available

Windsurf · IDE configuration

Official guide ↗

Advanced setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "headscale-tailscale-alternative": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Step 01

Open MCP Settings

Go to Settings → MCP Configuration or press Cmd+Shift+P and search "MCP"
Step 02

Add the server

Paste the JSON configuration above into mcp_config.json
Step 03

Save and reload

Windsurf will detect the new server automatically
Step 04

Start using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Open Cascade and ask: "Using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), help me...". 18 tools available

Cline · IDE configuration

Official guide ↗

Advanced setup

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "headscale-tailscale-alternative": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Step 01

Open Cline MCP Settings

Click the Connectors icon in the Cline sidebar panel
Step 02

Add remote server

Click "Add Connector" and paste the configuration above
Step 03

Enable the server

Toggle the server switch to ON
Step 04

Start using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Ask Cline: "Using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), help me...". 18 tools available

Claude Code · Terminal command

Official guide ↗

Advanced setup

claude mcp add headscale-tailscale-alternative --transport http "https://edge.vinkius.com/vk_preview_eY8iPLqKoHS6UDNYs4PXhTC6kItxeqx4gseTYyC6/mcp"

Step 01

Install Claude Code

Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code if not already installed
Step 02

Add the Connector

Run the command above in your terminal
Step 03

Verify the connection

Run claude mcp to list connected servers, or type /mcp inside a session
Step 04

Start using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative)

Ask Claude: "Using Headscale (Tailscale Alternative), show me...". 18 tools are ready

Where the request belongs

Work Headscale can move forward.

Built around the request

This is for the infrastructure engineer who's tired of jumping between browser tabs to manage VPN nodes and the sysadmin who needs to automate onboarding for remote teams.

01

DevOps Engineer

Audits connected nodes and manages namespaces during infrastructure migrations.

02

Sysadmin

Manages the lifecycle of VPN nodes and generates keys for new employee hardware.

03

Security Analyst

Revokes access to compromised machines instantly through a chat interface.

Build the capability set

Each Connector adds new actions and data without changing how you work.

Browse Connectors

01 13 capabilities

Tailscale

Manage your Tailscale mesh network. list devices, update ACL policies, manage auth keys, and inspect users directly from any AI agent.

02 13 capabilities

ZeroTier

Manage ZeroTier virtual networks, authorize members, and monitor local node status directly from your AI agent.

03 10 capabilities

zrok (Open-Source Tunnel)

Securely share local resources with the world using zrok. manage environments, create public/private shares, and monitor tunnels directly from your AI agent.

04 89 capabilities

NetBird

Automate Zero Trust networking via NetBird. manage accounts, users, and access controls directly from any AI agent.

05 17 capabilities

Cloudflare Tunnel

Manage Cloudflare Tunnels directly from your AI agent. list, create, and configure secure Zero Trust connections to your private infrastructure.

06 7 capabilities

ngrok

Manage ngrok ingress infrastructure. list endpoints, API keys, reserved domains, and security policies directly from your AI agent.

Bring your own AI

Change the model, client or framework. Keep Headscale connected.

Before you connect

Questions about Headscale.

The practical details behind the request, access and result.

Can I use Headscale MCP to manage my own VPN?

Yes, if you host Headscale, this Connector lets you manage your network via your AI agent.

Does Headscale MCP work with Tailscale?

It works with Headscale, which is the open-source alternative to Tailscale.

How do I kick a device off my network using Headscale MCP?

Just tell your agent to expire the node or delete it from the network.

Can I use Headscale MCP to create new users?

Yes, it can create, list, and delete users for your network.

Is this Headscale MCP for managing routes?

Yes, it can enable and disable specific routes across your mesh.

How do I get a key for a new device?

Ask your agent to generate a pre-auth key for you.

Can I move a registered machine from one user to another using the AI?

Yes. Use the move_node capability by providing the Node ID and the target User name. The agent will reassign the machine to the new namespace immediately.

How do I generate a key for a new server to join the network without manual approval?

You can use the create_preauth_key capability. Specify the user, and optionally set it as reusable or ephemeral. The agent will return a key that can be used with the tailscale up --login-server command.

Is it possible to see the IP addresses and status of all my machines?

Absolutely. The list_nodes capability retrieves a complete list of all registered devices, including their online status, assigned IP addresses, and the users they belong to.

One connection away

Give your agent a direct line to Headscale.

Connect Headscale once. Keep it beside 5,900+ managed Connectors when the next task needs more.

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