What this skill does
Build and configure the MCP server for Lightning Node Connect (LNC). Connects AI assistants to lnd nodes via encrypted WebSocket tunnels using pairing phrases — no direct network access or TLS certs needed. Read-only by default (18 tools for querying node state, channels, payments, invoices, peers, on-chain data).
Lightning MCP Server is part of the Developer Tools category — developer tools that help your agent write, review, debug, and ship code. You can install it on its own or alongside other developer tools skills from the OpenClaw catalog.
How to install Lightning MCP Server
The easiest path is via the OpenClaw Easy desktop app — one click, no terminal required:
- Download OpenClaw Easy for macOS or Windows (free, one-click installer, ~30 seconds).
- Open the in-app Skills panel.
- Search for
lightning-mcp-serverand click Install. - The skill activates automatically when an incoming message matches its description.
Install from the command line
If you already run the OpenClaw CLI, add Lightning MCP Server with a single command:
openclaw skills add lightning-mcp-server
This pulls lightning-mcp-server from ClawHub and installs it into ~/.openclaw/skills/lightning-mcp-server/. Restart the OpenClaw gateway afterwards so the new skill is discovered.
How to use Lightning MCP Server
Once installed, Lightning MCP Server activates on its own: when an incoming message on WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord, Feishu or Line matches the skill's description, your OpenClaw agent loads it and runs the workflow. You can also trigger it explicitly by describing the task in chat. No extra configuration is required after install.
Manual install (advanced)
If you prefer manual installation:
- Click the Download .zip button above to grab
lightning-mcp-server-1.0.0.zipdirectly from our S3 mirror. - Unzip into
~/.openclaw/skills/lightning-mcp-server/(create the directory if it does not exist). - Restart OpenClaw Easy (or the OpenClaw CLI gateway) so the new skill is discovered.
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Lightning MCP Server?
Install Lightning MCP Server in the OpenClaw Easy desktop app by opening the Skills panel, searching for lightning-mcp-server, and clicking Install. From a terminal you can run: openclaw skills add lightning-mcp-server. Either way the skill is placed in ~/.openclaw/skills/lightning-mcp-server/.
Is Lightning MCP Server free?
Yes. Lightning MCP Server is free and open-source, distributed under the Apache-2.0 license through ClawHub. No account or payment is required to download or run it.
What does Lightning MCP Server do?
Build and configure the MCP server for Lightning Node Connect (LNC).
Related: more developer tools skills
If Lightning MCP Server looks useful, you may also want to check out other developer tools skills in the OpenClaw catalog:
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Free, open-source · Apache-2.0 · Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, or local Ollama models