$ cat gopher-mcp.md

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Overview

The Gopher & Gemini MCP Server is a modern implementation of the Model Context Protocol that enables LLMs to explore two fascinating alternative internet protocols: the vintage Gopher protocol from the early 1990s and the modern, privacy-focused Gemini protocol. This server acts as a bridge between AI assistants and these minimalist, text-focused corners of the internet.

Why Gopher and Gemini?

  • Gopher: A pre-web internet protocol from 1991, still maintained by enthusiasts with active servers hosting unique content
  • Gemini: A modern alternative to the web, designed for privacy, simplicity, and sustainability
  • Both: Text-focused, lightweight, and free from the complexity of modern web technologies

Architecture

LLM Client ←→ MCP Protocol ←→ Gopher/Gemini Client ←→ Remote Servers
                                        ↓
                                 Protocol Handlers
                                        ↓
                              ┌─────────┴─────────┐
                         Gopher (Port 70)    Gemini (TLS)
                              ↓                    ↓
                        Legacy Servers      Modern Servers

Design Philosophy

  • Dual Protocol: Single server supporting both Gopher and Gemini
  • Modern Implementation: Python 3.11+ with async/await
  • Security First: TOFU certificate validation for Gemini
  • Cross-Platform: Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Features

🌐 Dual Protocol Support

Gopher Protocol

  • Fetch content from Gopher servers (port 70)
  • Parse Gopher menus and directory listings
  • Support for all Gopher item types
  • Handle text files, binary files, and search queries
  • Navigate hierarchical Gopher spaces

Gemini Protocol

  • Fetch content over TLS (port 1965)
  • Parse gemtext markup format
  • TOFU (Trust On First Use) certificate validation
  • Handle redirects and input requests
  • Support for client certificates

🔐 Security Features

  • TOFU Certificate Validation: Trust-on-first-use model for Gemini
  • Certificate Pinning: Remember and verify server certificates
  • TLS 1.2+: Modern encryption for Gemini connections
  • Input Sanitization: Protect against malicious content
  • Timeout Protection: Prevent hanging connections

🛠️ MCP Tools

  • gopher_fetch: Retrieve content from Gopher servers
  • gemini_fetch: Retrieve content from Gemini servers
  • parse_gopher_menu: Parse Gopher directory listings
  • parse_gemtext: Convert gemtext to readable format

📊 Content Parsing

  • Gopher Menu Parsing: Extract links, text, and metadata
  • Gemtext Parsing: Convert gemtext to markdown-like format
  • Link Extraction: Identify and follow links in both protocols
  • Content Type Detection: Handle different file types appropriately

Technical Implementation

Built With Modern Python

  • Python 3.11+: Modern async/await syntax
  • FastMCP: Rapid MCP server development
  • Pituophis: Gopher protocol implementation
  • SSL/TLS: Built-in Python SSL for Gemini
  • Type Hints: Full type safety with mypy

Cross-Platform Compatibility

Tested and working on:

  • Windows 10/11: PowerShell, Command Prompt, Git Bash
  • macOS: Ventura, Sonoma (Intel and Apple Silicon)
  • Linux: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch

Getting Started

Installation

# Install with pip
pip install gopher-mcp

# Or install from source
git clone https://github.com/cameronrye/gopher-mcp.git
cd gopher-mcp
pip install -e .

Claude Desktop Integration

Add to your Claude Desktop configuration:

macOS/Linux (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gopher": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "gopher_mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Windows (%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "gopher": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["-m", "gopher_mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Example Interactions

Once configured, you can ask Claude:

Gopher Exploration:

  • “Fetch the main menu from gopher://gopher.floodgap.com”
  • “Show me what’s on the SDF Gopher server”
  • “Browse gopher://gopher.club”

Gemini Exploration:

  • “Fetch the homepage from gemini://gemini.circumlunar.space”
  • “Show me the content at gemini://warmedal.se/~antenna/”
  • “Browse the Gemini protocol specification”

Content Discovery:

  • “What’s the difference between Gopher and Gemini?”
  • “Find interesting Gopher servers to explore”
  • “Show me how gemtext formatting works”

Use Cases

For Users

  • Alternative Internet: Explore the web before the web
  • Privacy-Focused Browsing: Access Gemini’s privacy-first content
  • Retro Computing: Experience 1990s internet protocols
  • Content Discovery: Find unique, text-focused content

For Developers

  • Protocol Learning: Understand Gopher and Gemini through AI interaction
  • Historical Research: Access archived content on Gopher servers
  • Gemini Development: Test Gemini sites with AI assistance
  • Educational Tools: Teach internet history and protocols

For Researchers

  • Internet History: Study the evolution of internet protocols
  • Alternative Networks: Analyze non-web internet spaces
  • Protocol Comparison: Compare modern and vintage approaches
  • Content Analysis: Study text-focused internet communities

Gopher Servers

  • gopher://gopher.floodgap.com - Floodgap Systems (Gopher history and resources)
  • gopher://gopher.club - Community Gopher server
  • gopher://sdf.org - Super Dimension Fortress (vintage computing)
  • gopher://gopherpedia.com - Wikipedia mirror in Gopherspace

Gemini Servers

  • gemini://gemini.circumlunar.space - Project Gemini homepage
  • gemini://warmedal.se/~antenna/ - Gemini feed aggregator
  • gemini://gmi.skyjake.fi/lagrange/ - Lagrange browser homepage
  • gemini://geminiprotocol.net - Gemini protocol documentation

Development

Testing

# Run tests
pytest

# Run with coverage
pytest --cov=gopher_mcp

# Test specific protocol
pytest tests/test_gopher.py
pytest tests/test_gemini.py

Development Setup

# Clone repository
git clone https://github.com/cameronrye/gopher-mcp.git
cd gopher-mcp

# Create virtual environment
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate

# Install in development mode
pip install -e ".[dev]"

Protocol Specifications

Gopher Protocol (RFC 1436)

  • Port: 70 (TCP)
  • Format: Plain text menus with item types
  • Item Types: Text, directory, binary, search, etc.
  • Navigation: Hierarchical directory structure

Gemini Protocol

  • Port: 1965 (TLS)
  • Format: Gemtext markup language
  • Security: Mandatory TLS with TOFU
  • Status Codes: Simple numeric response codes
  • MIME Types: text/gemini for gemtext content

Community Impact

This project enables:

  • Protocol Preservation: Keep vintage internet protocols accessible
  • AI-Powered Exploration: Natural language interaction with alternative internet
  • Educational Value: Learn about internet history through practical use
  • Privacy Advocacy: Promote privacy-focused alternatives to the modern web

Future Roadmap

  • Enhanced gemtext rendering
  • Gopher search support (type 7 items)
  • Client certificate support for Gemini
  • Content caching for performance
  • Bookmark management
  • History tracking

Acknowledgments

  • Gopher Community: Keeping the protocol alive since 1991
  • Project Gemini: Creating a modern alternative internet
  • FastMCP: Rapid MCP server development framework
  • Pituophis: Python Gopher protocol library

Status: Production Ready
License: MIT
Maintained: Active Development