bilig

Overview

Bilig is a TypeScript-based formula workbook runtime that exposes spreadsheet functionality through the Model Context Protocol. It allows Node.js services and AI agents to create, edit, and calculate spreadsheets programmatically without requiring a browser or Excel instance. The server provides tools for cell manipulation, formula recalculation, data persistence, and verification of computational results. It's particularly useful for scenarios requiring precise spreadsheet calculations in automated systems.

Try asking AI

After installing, here are 5 things you can ask your AI assistant:

• list_sheets

  List all sheets in the workbook

  Try:Show me all sheets in this workbookTry:List available sheets
• read_range

  Read a range of cells from a sheet

  Try:Get cells A1 to C5 from the Summary sheetTry:Read the first 10 rows of the Inputs sheet
• read_cell

  Read the value of a specific cell

  Try:What's in cell B2 of the Summary sheetTry:Get the value at A3
• set_cell_contents

  Set the contents of a specific cell

  Try:Set cell B2 to 500Try:Update A1 to 'New Value'
• get_cell_display_value

  Get the display value of a cell after calculation

  Try:What's the calculated value in B2Try:Show me the result of cell C5
• export_workpaper_document

  Export the workbook as a serialized document

  Try:Save the current workbook stateTry:Export this workbook to JSON
• validate_formula

  Validate a formula before adding it to a cell

  Try:Check if this formula is valid: =SUM(A1:A10)Try:Verify =Inputs!B2*Inputs!B3

Comparable tools

Installation

npm install @bilig/headless bilig-workpaper-mcp

bilig-workpaper-mcp

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bilig-workpaper": {
      "command": "bilig-workpaper-mcp",
      "args": []
    }
  }
}

FAQ

How is this different from Excel automation?

Bilig runs purely in Node.js without requiring Excel or a browser, making it suitable for serverless environments and automated workflows. It provides programmatic access to spreadsheet calculations rather than UI automation.

What file formats can it work with?

It primarily works with JSON-serialized workpapers but has optional XLSX import/export capabilities through the '@bilig/headless/xlsx' subpath package.

On Hacker News

Recent discussion from the developer community.

• Show HN: Bilig – a headless spreadsheet engine for Node services and agents▲ 3
  Story by GregKonush · 2026-05-07
• Show HN: Bilig, headless spreadsheet engine for Node services and agents▲ 2
  Story by GregKonush · 2026-05-07

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