DDC/CI Control Bridge

DDC/CI Control Bridge

Multi-protocol server for DDC/CI monitor control with MCP and MQTT support.

Features

• DDC/CI Monitor Control: Read and write VCP codes to control monitor brightness, contrast, input source, and more
• Model Context Protocol (MCP): Server with resources and tools for AI/agent integration
• MQTT Client: Connect to any MQTT broker for IoT/automation platforms
  • Home Assistant auto-discovery support
  • Generic MQTT pub/sub for custom integrations
• Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, Linux, and macOS
• Dual Distribution: Available as standalone executable or npm package

Quick Start

Installation

Option 1: NPM Package (Global)

npm install -g ddc-ci-control-bridge
ddc-ci-bridge

Option 2: NPX (No Install)

npx ddc-ci-control-bridge

Option 3: Standalone Executable

Download the binary for your platform from GitHub Releases:

• Windows: ddc-ci-bridge-win.exe
• Linux: ddc-ci-bridge-linux
• macOS: ddc-ci-bridge-macos

⚠️ Note: The executable requires DDC_API_KEY environment variable to be set, or it will exit immediately.

Windows:

# Set API key (required)
set DDC_API_KEY=your-secret-key

# Run the executable
ddc-ci-bridge-win.exe

# Or set multiple environment variables
set DDC_API_KEY=your-secret-key
set MQTT_ENABLED=true
set MQTT_HOST=192.168.1.100
ddc-ci-bridge-win.exe

Linux/macOS:

# Make executable (first time only)
chmod +x ddc-ci-bridge-linux  # or ddc-ci-bridge-macos

# Run with API key (required)
DDC_API_KEY=your-secret-key ./ddc-ci-bridge-linux

# Or with multiple environment variables
DDC_API_KEY=your-secret-key MQTT_ENABLED=true MQTT_HOST=192.168.1.100 ./ddc-ci-bridge-linux

Using with MCP Clients:

Configure your MCP client to use the executable path:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "C:\\path\\to\\ddc-ci-bridge-win.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

MCP Client Setup

Choose between Local (stdio) or Remote (HTTP) setup depending on your needs:

• Local Setup: Run MCP server on the same machine as your monitors (recommended for most users)
• Remote Setup: Run MCP server on a monitor-connected machine, access from other devices

🖥️ Local Setup (stdio - Same Machine)

Use this if your MCP client is on the same machine as your monitors.

Go to: Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP → Add new global MCP server

Or paste the following configuration into your ~/.cursor/mcp.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false",
        "MQTT_HOST": "localhost",
        "MQTT_PORT": "1883"
      }
    }
  }
}

Optional MQTT: Set MQTT_ENABLED=true and configure MQTT_HOST to your MQTT broker IP for automation platform integration.

Add this to your VS Code MCP config file:

"mcp": {
  "servers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop developer settings and edit your claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Run this command:

claude mcp add ddc-ci-bridge -- npx -y ddc-ci-control-bridge

Add this to your Windsurf MCP config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Cline MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Zed settings.json:

{
  "context_servers": {
    "DDC/CI Bridge": {
      "source": "custom",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Add this to your Roo Code MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Option A: Using the UI

1. Click the hamburger menu
2. Select Settings
3. Navigate to Tools section
4. Click + Add MCP button
5. Enter command: npx -y ddc-ci-control-bridge
6. Name: DDC/CI Bridge
7. Click Add

Option B: Manual Configuration

Add to settings.json:

"augment.advanced": {
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "ddc-ci-bridge",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  ]
}

1. Go to Settings → Tools → AI Assistant → Model Context Protocol (MCP)
2. Click + Add
3. Select As JSON from the dropdown
4. Add this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

5. Click Apply to save changes

1. Navigate Settings → AI → Manage MCP servers
2. Click + Add button
3. Paste this configuration:

{
  "DDC/CI Bridge": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
    "env": {
      "FASTMCP_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
      "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
    },
    "working_directory": null,
    "start_on_launch": true
  }
}

4. Click Save

Add to your Codex MCP configuration:

[mcp_servers.ddc-ci-bridge]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"]

[mcp_servers.ddc-ci-bridge.env]
MQTT_ENABLED = "false"

Windows Users: Use full paths if you encounter timeout errors:

[mcp_servers.ddc-ci-bridge]
command = "cmd"
args = ["/c", "npx", "-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"]
startup_timeout_ms = 20_000

[mcp_servers.ddc-ci-bridge.env]
SystemRoot = "C:\\Windows"
FASTMCP_API_KEY = "your-api-key-here"
MQTT_ENABLED = "false"

1. Navigate to Program (right side) → Install → Edit mcp.json
2. Add this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "DDC/CI Bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Click Save
4. Toggle the MCP server on/off from the right side panel

1. Open Qodo Gen chat panel in VSCode or IntelliJ
2. Click Connect more tools
3. Click + Add new MCP
4. Add this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

1. Navigate Perplexity → Settings
2. Select Connectors
3. Click Add Connector
4. Select Advanced
5. Enter Server Name: DDC/CI Bridge
6. Paste this JSON:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
  "env": {
    "FASTMCP_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
    "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
  }
}

7. Click Save

1. Navigate Kiro → MCP Servers
2. Click + Add button
3. Paste this configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "DDC/CI Bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

4. Click Save

1. Open Settings → Plugins
2. Enter this JSON:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

3. Save and restart if needed

1. Go to Zencoder menu (...)
2. Select Agent tools
3. Click Add custom MCP
4. Add name and server configuration:

{
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
  "env": {
    "FASTMCP_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
    "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
  }
}

5. Click Install

Add to your Amazon Q configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Bun:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "bunx",
      "args": ["-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

Deno:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "deno",
      "args": [
        "run",
        "--allow-env",
        "--allow-net",
        "npm:ddc-ci-control-bridge"
      ],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      }
    }
  }
}

On Windows, use this format (example with Cline):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "ddc-ci-control-bridge"],
      "env": {
        "MQTT_ENABLED": "false"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

🌐 Remote Setup (HTTP - Different Machines)

Use this if you want to access monitor controls from a different machine on your network.

1. On the machine with monitors, create a .env file:

DDC_API_KEY=your-secure-random-api-key-here
MCP_TRANSPORT=sse
MCP_PORT=8000

# Optional: Enable MQTT for automation platforms
MQTT_ENABLED=false
MQTT_HOST=localhost
MQTT_PORT=1883

2. Start the server:

npm install -g ddc-ci-control-bridge
ddc-ci-bridge

Or using npx:

npx ddc-ci-control-bridge

3. The server will display:

🔌 MCP Server: http://192.168.1.100:8000
   Transport: sse
   API Key: your-api...

Note the IP address and port for client configuration.

Cursor:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "url": "http://192.168.1.100:8000",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-secure-random-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code:

"mcp": {
  "servers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://192.168.1.100:8000",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-secure-random-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "url": "http://192.168.1.100:8000",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-secure-random-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Windsurf:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ddc-ci-bridge": {
      "serverUrl": "http://192.168.1.100:8000",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-secure-random-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Note: Replace 192.168.1.100 with the actual IP address of your monitor-connected machine, and use the same API key you configured in the server's .env file.

Configuration

1. Create a .env file:

cp .env.example .env

2. Edit .env and configure:

DDC_API_KEY=your-secret-api-key-here

# Enable MQTT for automation platforms (optional)
MQTT_ENABLED=false
MQTT_HOST=localhost
MQTT_PORT=1883

To enable MQTT: Set MQTT_ENABLED=true and change MQTT_HOST to your MQTT broker IP (e.g., Home Assistant IP).

3. Start the server:

npm run dev

MQTT Integration

This server acts as an MQTT client and can connect to any MQTT broker.

Supported Platforms

• Home Assistant: Auto-discovery via MQTT Discovery Protocol → See Home Assistant Guide
• openHAB: MQTT binding with manual thing configuration
• Node-RED: Subscribe to topics for custom flows
• Domoticz: MQTT integration
• Generic MQTT: Any platform that supports MQTT pub/sub

MQTT Topics

ddc-monitor/{index}/brightness/set|get
ddc-monitor/{index}/contrast/set|get
ddc-monitor/{index}/vcp/{code}/set|get
ddc-monitor/{index}/power/set
ddc-monitor/{index}/state
ddc-monitor/bridge/status

MCP Resources

• monitor://list - List all available monitors
• monitor://{index}/capabilities - Full VCP code scan results
• monitor://{index}/current-values - Current values of all supported codes
• monitor://{index}/info - Monitor metadata

MCP Tools

• get_vcp_code - Read a specific VCP code value
• set_vcp_code - Write a value to a VCP code
• get_brightness - Get monitor brightness (0-100)
• set_brightness - Set monitor brightness (0-100)
• refresh_monitors - Re-scan monitors and VCP capabilities

Development

Build

npm run build

Build Executables

npm run build:executables

This creates standalone executables in dist/bin/ for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Run in Development

npm run dev

Requirements

• DDC/CI Support: Your monitor must support DDC/CI (most modern monitors do)
• DDC/CI Enabled: Enable DDC/CI in your monitor's OSD settings
• Permissions: On Linux, you may need to add your user to the i2c group

Linux Setup

sudo usermod -a -G i2c $USER
sudo modprobe i2c-dev

Log out and log back in for group changes to take effect.

Environment Variables

See .env.example for all available configuration options.

Key variables:

• DDC_API_KEY - API key for server authentication (required)
• MCP_TRANSPORT - Transport type: sse or stdio (default: sse)
• MCP_PORT - HTTP port for SSE transport (default: 8000)
• MQTT_ENABLED - Enable MQTT client (default: false)
• MQTT_HOST - MQTT broker IP/hostname (default: localhost)
• MQTT_PORT - MQTT broker port (default: 1883)
• MQTT_USERNAME - Auto-configured as ddc-mcp
• MQTT_PASSWORD - Auto-configured from DDC_API_KEY

Architecture

┌─────────────────────────────────────────┐
│       DDC/CI Control Bridge             │
│                                         │
│  ┌─────────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐ │
│  │  MCP Server     │  │ MQTT Client  │ │
│  │  - Resources    │  │ - Pub/Sub    │ │
│  │  - Tools        │  │ - Discovery  │ │
│  └────────┬────────┘  └──────┬───────┘ │
│           │                  │         │
│           └────────┬─────────┘         │
│                    │                   │
│           ┌────────▼────────┐          │
│           │ DDC Controller  │          │
│           │ - VCP Scanning  │          │
│           │ - Read/Write    │          │
│           └────────┬────────┘          │
└────────────────────┼───────────────────┘
                     │
            ┌────────▼────────┐
            │ Physical Monitor│
            │   (DDC/CI)      │
            └─────────────────┘

External Clients:
┌──────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐  ┌──────────────┐
│ AI Agents    │  │ MQTT Broker  │  │ Automation   │
│ (via MCP)    │  │ (any broker) │  │ Platforms    │
└──────────────┘  └──────────────┘  └──────────────┘

License

MIT

Documentation

• Home Assistant Integration Guide - Complete HA setup
• Development Guide - Technical architecture and development details

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please open an issue or PR.

Troubleshooting

No monitors found

• Ensure DDC/CI is enabled in your monitor's OSD settings
• On Linux, check if i2c devices are available: ls -l /dev/i2c-*
• Try running with elevated permissions (not recommended for production)

MQTT connection failed

• Verify MQTT broker is running
• Check credentials match the server output
• Ensure firewall allows MQTT port (1883)

Commands not working

• Check server logs for errors
• Verify monitor supports the VCP code
• Some codes may be read-only
• Try restarting both server and Home Assistant