fastmcp/docs/python-sdk/fastmcp-client-client.mdx

---
title: client
sidebarTitle: client
---

# `fastmcp.client.client`

## Classes

### `ClientSessionState` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L74" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>


Holds all session-related state for a Client instance.

This allows clean separation of configuration (which is copied) from
session state (which should be fresh for each new client instance).


### `Client` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L90" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>


MCP client that delegates connection management to a Transport instance.

The Client class is responsible for MCP protocol logic, while the Transport
handles connection establishment and management. Client provides methods for
working with resources, prompts, tools and other MCP capabilities.

This client supports reentrant context managers (multiple concurrent
`async with client:` blocks) using reference counting and background session
management. This allows efficient session reuse in any scenario with
nested or concurrent client usage.

MCP SDK 1.10 introduced automatic list_tools() calls during call_tool()
execution. This created a race condition where events could be reset while
other tasks were waiting on them, causing deadlocks. The issue was exposed
in proxy scenarios but affects any reentrant usage.

The solution uses reference counting to track active context managers,
a background task to manage the session lifecycle, events to coordinate
between tasks, and ensures all session state changes happen within a lock.
Events are only created when needed, never reset outside locks.

This design prevents race conditions where tasks wait on events that get
replaced by other tasks, ensuring reliable coordination in concurrent scenarios.

**Args:**
- `transport`: 
Connection source specification, which can be\:

    - ClientTransport\: Direct transport instance
    - FastMCP\: In-process FastMCP server
    - AnyUrl or str\: URL to connect to
    - Path\: File path for local socket
    - MCPConfig\: MCP server configuration
    - dict\: Transport configuration
- `roots`: Optional RootsList or RootsHandler for filesystem access
- `sampling_handler`: Optional handler for sampling requests
- `log_handler`: Optional handler for log messages
- `message_handler`: Optional handler for protocol messages
- `progress_handler`: Optional handler for progress notifications
- `timeout`: Optional timeout for requests (seconds or timedelta)
- `init_timeout`: Optional timeout for initial connection (seconds or timedelta).
Set to 0 to disable. If None, uses the value in the FastMCP global settings.

**Examples:**

```python
# Connect to FastMCP server
client = Client("http://localhost:8080")

async with client:
    # List available resources
    resources = await client.list_resources()

    # Call a tool
    result = await client.call_tool("my_tool", {"param": "value"})
```


**Methods:**

#### `session` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L273" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
session(self) -> ClientSession
```

Get the current active session. Raises RuntimeError if not connected.


#### `initialize_result` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L283" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
initialize_result(self) -> mcp.types.InitializeResult
```

Get the result of the initialization request.


#### `set_roots` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L291" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
set_roots(self, roots: RootsList | RootsHandler) -> None
```

Set the roots for the client. This does not automatically call `send_roots_list_changed`.


#### `set_sampling_callback` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L295" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
set_sampling_callback(self, sampling_callback: SamplingHandler) -> None
```

Set the sampling callback for the client.


#### `set_elicitation_callback` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L301" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
set_elicitation_callback(self, elicitation_callback: ElicitationHandler) -> None
```

Set the elicitation callback for the client.


#### `is_connected` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L309" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
is_connected(self) -> bool
```

Check if the client is currently connected.


#### `new` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L313" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
new(self) -> Client[ClientTransportT]
```

Create a new client instance with the same configuration but fresh session state.

This creates a new client with the same transport, handlers, and configuration,
but with no active session. Useful for creating independent sessions that don't
share state with the original client.

**Returns:**
- A new Client instance with the same configuration but disconnected state.


#### `close` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L476" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
close(self)
```

#### `ping` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L482" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
ping(self) -> bool
```

Send a ping request.


#### `cancel` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L487" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
cancel(self, request_id: str | int, reason: str | None = None) -> None
```

Send a cancellation notification for an in-progress request.


#### `progress` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L504" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
progress(self, progress_token: str | int, progress: float, total: float | None = None, message: str | None = None) -> None
```

Send a progress notification.


#### `set_logging_level` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L516" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
set_logging_level(self, level: mcp.types.LoggingLevel) -> None
```

Send a logging/setLevel request.


#### `send_roots_list_changed` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L520" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
send_roots_list_changed(self) -> None
```

Send a roots/list_changed notification.


#### `list_resources_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L526" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_resources_mcp(self) -> mcp.types.ListResourcesResult
```

Send a resources/list request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.ListResourcesResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the list of resources and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_resources` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L539" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_resources(self) -> list[mcp.types.Resource]
```

Retrieve a list of resources available on the server.

**Returns:**
- list\[mcp.types.Resource]: A list of Resource objects.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_resource_templates_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L551" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_resource_templates_mcp(self) -> mcp.types.ListResourceTemplatesResult
```

Send a resources/listResourceTemplates request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.ListResourceTemplatesResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the list of resource templates and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_resource_templates` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L566" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_resource_templates(self) -> list[mcp.types.ResourceTemplate]
```

Retrieve a list of resource templates available on the server.

**Returns:**
- list\[mcp.types.ResourceTemplate]: A list of ResourceTemplate objects.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `read_resource_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L580" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
read_resource_mcp(self, uri: AnyUrl | str) -> mcp.types.ReadResourceResult
```

Send a resources/read request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Args:**
- `uri`: The URI of the resource to read. Can be a string or an AnyUrl object.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.ReadResourceResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the resource contents and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `read_resource` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L600" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
read_resource(self, uri: AnyUrl | str) -> list[mcp.types.TextResourceContents | mcp.types.BlobResourceContents]
```

Read the contents of a resource or resolved template.

**Args:**
- `uri`: The URI of the resource to read. Can be a string or an AnyUrl object.

**Returns:**
- list\[mcp.types.TextResourceContents | mcp.types.BlobResourceContents]: A list of content
objects, typically containing either text or binary data.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_prompts_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L639" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_prompts_mcp(self) -> mcp.types.ListPromptsResult
```

Send a prompts/list request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.ListPromptsResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the list of prompts and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_prompts` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L652" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_prompts(self) -> list[mcp.types.Prompt]
```

Retrieve a list of prompts available on the server.

**Returns:**
- list\[mcp.types.Prompt]: A list of Prompt objects.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `get_prompt_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L665" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
get_prompt_mcp(self, name: str, arguments: dict[str, Any] | None = None) -> mcp.types.GetPromptResult
```

Send a prompts/get request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Args:**
- `name`: The name of the prompt to retrieve.
- `arguments`: Arguments to pass to the prompt. Defaults to None.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.GetPromptResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the prompt messages and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `get_prompt` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L699" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
get_prompt(self, name: str, arguments: dict[str, Any] | None = None) -> mcp.types.GetPromptResult
```

Retrieve a rendered prompt message list from the server.

**Args:**
- `name`: The name of the prompt to retrieve.
- `arguments`: Arguments to pass to the prompt. Defaults to None.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.GetPromptResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the prompt messages and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `complete_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L720" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
complete_mcp(self, ref: mcp.types.ResourceReference | mcp.types.PromptReference, argument: dict[str, str]) -> mcp.types.CompleteResult
```

Send a completion request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Args:**
- `ref`: The reference to complete.
- `argument`: Arguments to pass to the completion request.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.CompleteResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the completion and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `complete` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L741" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
complete(self, ref: mcp.types.ResourceReference | mcp.types.PromptReference, argument: dict[str, str]) -> mcp.types.Completion
```

Send a completion request to the server.

**Args:**
- `ref`: The reference to complete.
- `argument`: Arguments to pass to the completion request.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.Completion: The completion object.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_tools_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L763" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_tools_mcp(self) -> mcp.types.ListToolsResult
```

Send a tools/list request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.ListToolsResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the list of tools and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `list_tools` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L776" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
list_tools(self) -> list[mcp.types.Tool]
```

Retrieve a list of tools available on the server.

**Returns:**
- list\[mcp.types.Tool]: A list of Tool objects.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `call_tool_mcp` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L790" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
call_tool_mcp(self, name: str, arguments: dict[str, Any], progress_handler: ProgressHandler | None = None, timeout: datetime.timedelta | float | int | None = None) -> mcp.types.CallToolResult
```

Send a tools/call request and return the complete MCP protocol result.

This method returns the raw CallToolResult object, which includes an isError flag
and other metadata. It does not raise an exception if the tool call results in an error.

**Args:**
- `name`: The name of the tool to call.
- `arguments`: Arguments to pass to the tool.
- `timeout`: The timeout for the tool call. Defaults to None.
- `progress_handler`: The progress handler to use for the tool call. Defaults to None.

**Returns:**
- mcp.types.CallToolResult: The complete response object from the protocol,
containing the tool result and any additional metadata.

**Raises:**
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


#### `call_tool` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L826" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>

```python
call_tool(self, name: str, arguments: dict[str, Any] | None = None, timeout: datetime.timedelta | float | int | None = None, progress_handler: ProgressHandler | None = None, raise_on_error: bool = True) -> CallToolResult
```

Call a tool on the server.

Unlike call_tool_mcp, this method raises a ToolError if the tool call results in an error.

**Args:**
- `name`: The name of the tool to call.
- `arguments`: Arguments to pass to the tool. Defaults to None.
- `timeout`: The timeout for the tool call. Defaults to None.
- `progress_handler`: The progress handler to use for the tool call. Defaults to None.

**Returns:**
- 
The content returned by the tool. If the tool returns structured
outputs, they are returned as a dataclass (if an output schema
is available) or a dictionary; otherwise, a list of content
blocks is returned. Note: to receive both structured and
unstructured outputs, use call_tool_mcp instead and access the
raw result object.

**Raises:**
- `ToolError`: If the tool call results in an error.
- `RuntimeError`: If called while the client is not connected.


### `CallToolResult` <sup><a href="https://github.com/jlowin/fastmcp/blob/main/src/fastmcp/client/client.py#L898" target="_blank"><Icon icon="github" style="width: 14px; height: 14px;" /></a></sup>