# gnomad-genetics-mcp-server [Health: Active]
**Category:** 💻 Developer Tools
**Repository:** https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server
**GitHub Stars:** 1
**Views:** 0
**Installs:** 0
**Upvotes:** 0
**Directory Page:** https://allmcps.com/mcp/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server
## Description
Look up allele frequencies by ancestry, gene constraint, variants, and coverage over gnomAD.
## Claude Desktop Quick Installation
Install path detected from listing signals. Uses `bunx` (confidence: high):
```json
"mcpServers": {
"gnomad-genetics-mcp-server": {
"command": "bunx",
"args": ["@cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server@latest"]
}
}
```
## Documentation & README
@cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server
Look up variant allele frequencies by ancestry, gene loss-of-function constraint, gene variant lists, and sequencing coverage over gnomAD — with ClinVar significance joined in — via MCP. STDIO or Streamable HTTP.
7 Tools (+1 opt-in) • 2 Resources • 1 Prompt
[](./CHANGELOG.md) [](./LICENSE) [](https://github.com/users/cyanheads/packages/container/package/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server) [](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/) [](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server) [](https://www.typescriptlang.org/) [](https://bun.sh/)
[](https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server/releases/latest/download/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server.mcpb) [](https://cursor.com/en/install-mcp?name=gnomad-genetics-mcp-server&config=eyJjb21tYW5kIjoibnB4IiwiYXJncyI6WyIteSIsIkBjeWFuaGVhZHMvZ25vbWFkLWdlbmV0aWNzLW1jcC1zZXJ2ZXIiXX0=) [](https://vscode.dev/redirect?url=vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22gnomad-genetics-mcp-server%22%2C%22command%22%3A%22npx%22%2C%22args%22%3A%5B%22-y%22%2C%22%40cyanheads%2Fgnomad-genetics-mcp-server%22%5D%7D)
[](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@cyanheads/mcp-ts-core)
**Public Hosted Server:** [https://gnomad-genetics.caseyjhand.com/mcp](https://gnomad-genetics.caseyjhand.com/mcp)
---
## Tools
Five gnomAD tools, plus three for SQL analytics over the DuckDB-backed canvas tables the list tools materialize:
| Tool | Description |
|:---|:---|
| `gnomad_get_variant` | Full population record for one or more variants — AC/AN/AF overall and per genetic-ancestry group, homozygote/hemizygote counts, quality flags, transcript consequence, in-silico predictors, and joined ClinVar significance. Batch up to 25 IDs with per-item partial success. |
| `gnomad_get_gene_constraint` | Gene loss-of-function constraint — pLI, LOEUF (`oe_lof_upper`) with CI, observed/expected ratios, and Z-scores. By HGNC symbol or Ensembl gene ID. |
| `gnomad_list_gene_variants` | Every variant in a gene, transcript, or region with allele frequencies and predicted consequences, filterable by consequence class and max AF. Spills to the `gene_variants` canvas table. |
| `gnomad_get_coverage` | Sequencing coverage across a gene, transcript, or region — mean/median depth and the fraction of samples over depth thresholds, per callset track. Tells a true absent variant from an uncallable position. |
| `gnomad_search_clinvar` | Gene-level ClinVar detail via NCBI E-utilities — classified variants, review status (star rating), conditions, and submission counts. Spills to the `clinvar_variants` canvas table. |
| `gnomad_dataframe_query` | Run a read-only SQL `SELECT` across canvas tables staged by the list tools. |
| `gnomad_dataframe_describe` | List the tables staged on a canvas and their columns before writing SQL. |
| `gnomad_dataframe_drop` | Drop a named table from a canvas to reclaim memory. Opt-in via `GNOMAD_DATAFRAME_DROP_ENABLED=true` — off by default since per-table TTL already handles cleanup. |
### `gnomad_get_variant`
The "how common, is it benign" answer in one call.
- Batch up to 25 IDs per call, each a `chrom-pos-ref-alt` variantId (e.g. `1-55051215-G-GA`) or an rsID (e.g. `rs11591147`)
- Per-item partial success — a malformed or absent ID lands in `failed[]` without failing the others
- Per-ancestry frequency vector is returned in full, never collapsed to a single global AF
- Reports which callset(s) (`exome` / `genome`) carry the variant, quality flags, transcript consequence, in-silico predictor scores, and the ClinVar significance gnomAD joins per variant
- An empty `found[]` for a well-formed ID means the variant is not in the chosen dataset — pair with `gnomad_get_coverage` to confirm the position is callable before concluding true absence
---
### `gnomad_get_gene_constraint`
The orthogonal axis to allele frequency — a loss-of-function variant matters far more in a gene intolerant to being broken.
- Accepts an HGNC symbol (`PCSK9`) or an Ensembl gene ID (`ENSG00000169174`)
- Returns pLI (>0.9 intolerant), LOEUF / `oe_lof_upper` (<0.6 intolerant in v4, <0.35 in v2) with its lower bound, observed/expected ratios for LoF / missense / synonymous, and the three Z-scores
- Many genes have null constraint (sparse upstream) — null fields are reported as such, never fabricated
- `constraint_flags` surfaces v4 beta caveats flagged by the gnomAD team
---
### `gnomad_list_gene_variants`
List variants across a gene, transcript, or region, then SQL the full set.
- Supply exactly one of `gene`, `transcript_id`, or `region` (`chrom-start-stop`, 1-based inclusive)
- Optional filters: one `consequence_class` (`lof` / `missense` / `synonymous` / `other`) and/or a maximum allele frequency
- The full result is staged on a DataCanvas table named `gene_variants` with an inline preview returned alongside `canvas_id` and `table_name` — query it with `gnomad_dataframe_query` to rank by AF, count by consequence, or group across the complete set
- Reusing a `canvas_id` REPLACES the staged table; it does not append
- When the canvas is disabled (`CANVAS_PROVIDER_TYPE` != `duckdb`) the tool returns a capped inline preview with `spilled=false` and the SQL path is unavailable
---
### `gnomad_get_coverage`
Disambiguate a true absent variant from an uncallable position.
- Supply exactly one of `gene`, `transcript_id`, or `region`
- Returns mean and median read depth plus the mean fraction of samples covered at each threshold (1× through 100×), summarized per callset track
- `coverage_source` narrows to one track (`exome` / `genome`); omit to return every available track
- A variant missing from a well-covered region is informative; one missing from a poorly-covered region is not
---
### `gnomad_search_clinvar`
Gene-panel curation depth beyond the per-variant ClinVar join, via NCBI E-utilities.
- Returns a gene's classified ClinVar variants — clinical significance, review status with a 0–4 star rating, associated conditions, molecular consequences, and submission counts
- Optional filters: `clinical_significance` (e.g. `pathogenic`) and a minimum star rating (`min_review_stars`, 0–4)
- The full set is staged on the `clinvar_variants` canvas table with an inline preview; reusing a `canvas_id` REPLACES that table
- Keyless, but honors `NCBI_API_KEY` for a higher rate limit (10 vs 3 req/s)
---
### Canvas dataframe tools
`gnomad_dataframe_query`, `gnomad_dataframe_describe`, and `gnomad_dataframe_drop` operate on the canvas tables the list tools stage.
- `gnomad_dataframe_query` runs single-statement `SELECT`s only — writes, DDL, and file/HTTP table functions are rejected by the canvas gate
- `gnomad_dataframe_describe` returns each staged table's name, row count, and column schema — call it before writing SQL
- `gnomad_dataframe_drop` is a deliberate mutation (`readOnlyHint: false`); it stays absent from `tools/list` unless `GNOMAD_DATAFRAME_DROP_ENABLED=true`
- All three require `CANVAS_PROVIDER_TYPE=duckdb`; without it they return a `canvas_disabled` error
## Resources and prompts
| Type | Name | Description |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Resource | `gnomad://variant/{dataset}/{variantId}` | Population record for one variant — mirrors `gnomad_get_variant`. The `dataset` segment keeps the URI self-describing. |
| Resource | `gnomad://gene/{dataset}/{gene}/constraint` | Gene loss-of-function constraint — mirrors `gnomad_get_gene_constraint`. |
| Prompt | `gnomad_variant_triage` | Guided rare-disease variant-triage workflow: population frequency → gene constraint → callability check, in order. |
All resource data is also reachable via tools. The list tools (`gnomad_list_gene_variants`, `gnomad_get_coverage`, `gnomad_search_clinvar`) return analytical row sets rather than stable single-URI documents, so they are not exposed as resources — call the tools instead.
## Features
Built on [`@cyanheads/mcp-ts-core`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@cyanheads/mcp-ts-core):
- Declarative tool, resource, and prompt definitions — single file per primitive, framework handles registration and validation
- Unified error handling — handlers throw, framework catches, classifies, and formats
- Typed error contracts with agent-facing recovery hints
- Pluggable auth: `none`, `jwt`, `oauth`
- Structured logging with optional OpenTelemetry tracing
- STDIO and Streamable HTTP transports
gnomAD-specific:
- Single keyless GraphQL source for the entire core surface — ClinVar significance is joined per variant inside gnomAD's own response
- `dataset` and `reference_genome` are distinct, coherence-validated parameters (v4/v3 ⇒ GRCh38, v2.1/ExAC ⇒ GRCh37); both are echoed in every tool's output so a wrong-build coordinate mismatch is visible
- Polite client — conservative concurrency cap and exponential backoff against a community-funded, rate-limited API
- In-conversation SQL analytics: `gnomad_list_gene_variants` and `gnomad_search_clinvar` stage their full result on a DuckDB-backed canvas table queryable via `gnomad_dataframe_query`
Agent-friendly output:
- Per-ancestry allele-frequency vector returned in full, never collapsed to a single global AF — the cross-ancestry contrast is the signal clinical interpretation needs
- Graceful partial failure — `gnomad_get_variant` returns per-item `failed[]` rows with actionable messages instead of failing the whole batch
- Provenance on every response — effective `dataset` and `reference_genome` echoed back; null upstream fields preserved as null, never fabricated
- Recovery hints on errors (`incoherent_build`, `invalid_target`, `gene_not_found`, `canvas_disabled`) so callers know the next move
## Getting started
### Public Hosted Instance
A public instance is available at `https://gnomad-genetics.caseyjhand.com/mcp` — no installation required. Point any MCP client at it via Streamable HTTP:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gnomad-genetics-mcp-server": {
"type": "streamable-http",
"url": "https://gnomad-genetics.caseyjhand.com/mcp"
}
}
}
```
### Self-Hosted / Local
Add the following to your MCP client configuration file. gnomAD is a free, keyless API — no credentials required.
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gnomad-genetics-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "bunx",
"args": ["@cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server@latest"],
"env": {
"MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio",
"MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "info"
}
}
}
}
```
Or with npx (no Bun required):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gnomad-genetics-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server@latest"],
"env": {
"MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE": "stdio",
"MCP_LOG_LEVEL": "info"
}
}
}
}
```
Or with Docker:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gnomad-genetics-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run", "-i", "--rm",
"-e", "MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE=stdio",
"ghcr.io/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server:latest"
]
}
}
}
```
For Streamable HTTP, set the transport and start the server:
```sh
MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE=http MCP_HTTP_PORT=3010 bun run start:http
# Server listens at http://localhost:3010/mcp
```
To enable the SQL analytics path, also set `CANVAS_PROVIDER_TYPE=duckdb` (requires the `@duckdb/node-api` peer dependency; unavailable on Cloudflare Workers).
### Prerequisites
- [Bun v1.3.0](https://bun.sh/) or higher (or Node.js v24+).
- No API key — gnomAD's GraphQL endpoint is keyless. An optional `NCBI_API_KEY` raises the `gnomad_search_clinvar` rate limit.
### Installation
1. **Clone the repository:**
```sh
git clone https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server.git
```
2. **Navigate into the directory:**
```sh
cd gnomad-genetics-mcp-server
```
3. **Install dependencies:**
```sh
bun install
```
4. **Configure environment:**
```sh
cp .env.example .env
# all vars are optional — the server runs keyless out of the box
```
## Configuration
All variables are optional; the server runs keyless with the defaults below.
| Variable | Description | Default |
|:---------|:------------|:--------|
| `GNOMAD_API_BASE_URL` | gnomAD GraphQL endpoint. Override for a private mirror or testing. | `https://gnomad.broadinstitute.org/api` |
| `GNOMAD_DEFAULT_DATASET` | Dataset used when a tool call omits `dataset` (`gnomad_r4` / `gnomad_r3` / `gnomad_r2_1` / `exac`). | `gnomad_r4` |
| `GNOMAD_REQUEST_TIMEOUT_MS` | Per-request timeout against the GraphQL endpoint, in milliseconds. | `30000` |
| `GNOMAD_MAX_CONCURRENCY` | Cap on concurrent upstream requests — politeness against a community-funded API. | `2` |
| `GNOMAD_MAX_VARIANT_BATCH` | Maximum variant IDs accepted per `gnomad_get_variant` call. | `25` |
| `CLINVAR_BASE_URL` | NCBI E-utilities base URL for `gnomad_search_clinvar`. | `https://eutils.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils` |
| `NCBI_API_KEY` | Optional NCBI key. Raises the E-utilities rate limit from 3 to 10 req/s. | — |
| `CANVAS_PROVIDER_TYPE` | Set to `duckdb` to enable the spill/SQL path behind the list tools. When `none`, they return a capped inline preview. | `none` |
| `GNOMAD_DATAFRAME_DROP_ENABLED` | Gate for the opt-in `gnomad_dataframe_drop` tool. Off by default. | `false` |
| `MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE` | Transport: `stdio` or `http`. | `stdio` |
| `MCP_HTTP_PORT` | Port for the HTTP server. | `3010` |
| `MCP_AUTH_MODE` | Auth mode: `none`, `jwt`, or `oauth`. | `none` |
| `MCP_LOG_LEVEL` | Log level (RFC 5424). | `info` |
| `OTEL_ENABLED` | Enable [OpenTelemetry instrumentation](https://github.com/cyanheads/mcp-ts-core/tree/main/docs/telemetry). | `false` |
See [`.env.example`](https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server/blob/HEAD/.env.example) for the full list of optional overrides.
## Running the server
### Local development
- **Build and run:**
```sh
# One-time build
bun run rebuild
# Run the built server
bun run start:stdio
# or
bun run start:http
```
- **Run checks and tests:**
```sh
bun run devcheck # Lint, format, typecheck, security
bun run test # Vitest test suite
bun run lint:mcp # Validate MCP definitions against spec
```
### Docker
```sh
docker build -t gnomad-genetics-mcp-server .
docker run --rm -e MCP_TRANSPORT_TYPE=http -p 3010:3010 gnomad-genetics-mcp-server
```
The Dockerfile defaults to HTTP transport, stateless session mode, and logs to `/var/log/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server`. OpenTelemetry peer dependencies are installed by default — build with `--build-arg OTEL_ENABLED=false` to omit them.
## Project structure
| Directory | Purpose |
|:----------|:--------|
| `src/index.ts` | `createApp()` entry point — registers tools/resources/prompts and inits services. |
| `src/config` | Server-specific environment variable parsing and validation with Zod. |
| `src/mcp-server/tools` | Tool definitions (`*.tool.ts`) and shared input schemas. |
| `src/mcp-server/resources` | Resource definitions (`*.resource.ts`). |
| `src/mcp-server/prompts` | Prompt definitions (`*.prompt.ts`). |
| `src/services/gnomad` | gnomAD GraphQL client, query documents, and domain types. |
| `src/services/clinvar` | NCBI E-utilities client for the optional ClinVar tool. |
| `src/services/canvas-accessor.ts` | Module-level accessor for the framework's optional DataCanvas. |
## Development guide
See [`CLAUDE.md`/`AGENTS.md`](https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server/blob/HEAD/CLAUDE.md) for development guidelines and architectural rules. The short version:
- Handlers throw, framework catches — no `try/catch` in tool logic
- Use `ctx.log` for request-scoped logging, `ctx.state` for tenant-scoped storage
- Register new tools and resources in the `createApp()` arrays in `src/index.ts`
- Wrap external API calls: validate raw → normalize to domain type → return output schema; never fabricate missing fields
## Contributing
Issues and pull requests are welcome. Run checks and tests before submitting:
```sh
bun run devcheck
bun run test
```
## License
Apache-2.0 — see [LICENSE](https://github.com/cyanheads/gnomad-genetics-mcp-server/blob/HEAD/LICENSE) for details.
gnomAD data is provided by the [Genome Aggregation Database](https://gnomad.broadinstitute.org) (Broad Institute). ClinVar data is provided by [NCBI](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/clinvar/).