How do I expose a local MCP server to Claude Desktop or Cursor?

Install the Tapinto CLI (curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Cre8-IT-Code/tapinto-cli/main/install.sh | bash) and run `tapinto https://localhost:8080 --inspect`. The command prints a stable https:// .tapinto.it URL — paste that URL into Claude Desktop's or Cursor's MCP server configuration.

Is Tapinto free to try?

Yes. Every account gets 60 tunnel-minutes per week on the Free plan — no credit card required. Sign in with GitHub, generate an API key, and start a tunnel. To go beyond the weekly cap, upgrade to the Developer plan ($1/month, includes 500 HTTP + 250 MCP minutes).

Is Tapinto an ngrok alternative?

Yes. Tapinto adds MCP-aware framing (JSON-RPC parsing, tool/resource/prompt discovery, live inspector) and per-minute USD billing on top of generic HTTP tunneling. For plain HTTP tunneling without MCP semantics, ngrok and Cloudflare Tunnel also work.

Does Tapinto work behind a NAT or firewall?

Yes. The CLI opens a single outbound WebSocket on port 443 to the Tapinto edge in Azure. NATs and firewalls allow outbound traffic, so no port forwarding or static IP is required. It works on coffee-shop Wi-Fi, hotel Wi-Fi, mobile tethering, and corporate guest networks.

How is Tapinto priced?

Two plans, both billed via Stripe in USD. Free: 60 tunnel-minutes per week, no card, tunnels pause once the weekly cap is hit. Developer: $1/month (tax inclusive) with 500 HTTP and 250 MCP minutes included; overage runs at $0.001/min HTTP or $0.002/min MCP. Cancel any time in the Stripe portal.

⌁ MCP DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT

Tap into your local

One command opens a public HTTPS URL into your device. MCP-aware out of the box — tools, prompts, and resources discovered automatically.

Free 60 min/wk · Developer $1/mo (500 HTTP + 250 MCP min) · overage $0.001 / $0.002 per min · USD billing

01 / TUNNEL

Public URL, one command

Bring up an HTTPS endpoint for any local server. Reconnects automatically across network blips.

02 / MCP-NATIVE

Inspector & capability map

Tapinto detects MCP servers, surfaces tools and resources, and streams a live request log to your dashboard.

03 / PAY PER MINUTE

No idle billing

Stripe-metered usage in USD. Stop a tunnel — meter stops. Start free with no card; the $1/month Developer plan is optional.

HOW IT LOOKS

~/projects/my-mcp

$ tapinto https://localhost:8080 --inspect
✓ MCP detected: 14 tools · 3 resources · 2 prompts (server: weather-mcp)
✓ Tunnel active: https://amber-fern-3a8.tapinto.it
✓ Local target: https://localhost:8080
✓ Inspector: https://tapinto.dev/tunnels/amber-fern-3a8
# stream MCP traffic, replay, lint compliance, share via auth-gated URL

Tapinto live inspector showing pretty-printed JSON-RPC responses, per-event timings, and tunnel status sidebar

Ship the agent. Skip the deploy.

Stop bouncing your MCP server through staging just to test it from Claude or Cursor. Tunnel it, share it, kill it when you're done.

Get started →