Overview of the OPNsense MCP Server

The OPNsense MCP server bridges the gap between AI assistants and a production‑grade firewall, enabling direct, programmatic control over every aspect of OPNsense’s networking stack. By exposing a rich set of MCP tools, the server lets developers ask an AI to create rules, diagnose routing problems, or even execute low‑level CLI commands—all without leaving the conversational interface. This capability turns a traditionally manual, web‑interface‑heavy workflow into an intelligent, automated one that can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, monitoring systems, or user‑facing support tools.

At its core, the server offers comprehensive firewall management. Developers can perform full CRUD operations on firewall rules, including the special “automation” rules that OPNsense creates internally. Batch rule creation and inter‑VLAN routing configuration are supported, giving teams the ability to roll out complex security policies with a single AI prompt. Persistence is handled through multiple fallback mechanisms, ensuring that changes survive reboots and configuration syncs.

For network address translation (NAT), the server provides SSH‑based manipulation of outbound NAT rules and mode control. Features such as no‑NAT exception handling, automated DMZ issue resolution, and direct XML configuration editing empower AI assistants to resolve common NAT headaches that would otherwise require manual file edits or GUI interactions. This is especially valuable in environments where DMZs are frequently reconfigured for new services.

The diagnostics suite is another standout feature. It can perform routing analysis, inspect ARP tables with vendor lookups, manage interface settings, and troubleshoot connectivity—all through simple tool calls. The auto‑fix capabilities mean that an AI can not only identify a misroute but also apply the correct rule set in one step. Coupled with SSH/CLI execution, developers can run arbitrary commands such as or system restarts, extending the server’s reach beyond the API surface.

Additional capabilities—VLAN and DHCP lease management, DNS blocklists, HAProxy load balancing, configuration backup/restore, and infrastructure‑as‑code support—make the OPNsense MCP server a one‑stop shop for network automation. Its tight integration with Claude Desktop (and other MCP‑compatible assistants) allows developers to embed advanced firewall logic directly into chat workflows, streamlining incident response and reducing the need for specialized network engineers to intervene on routine tasks.