# MCP Docs Server
A lightweight Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides direct access to local documentation files - a simple alternative to complex RAG pipelines for project-specific context.
## Overview
This MCP server reads a single markdown file (`context.md`) and exposes its contents through two simple tools:
- `get_context_overview()`: Lists all section titles
- `search_context(query)`: Searches content across all sections
Perfect for giving LLMs access to project documentation without the overhead of vector databases or embedding models.
## Features
- **Zero dependencies** beyond the MCP Python SDK
- **Lightning fast** - direct file access, no vector search
- **Simple setup** - works with both GUI and CLI MCP clients
- **Cross-platform** - includes shell wrapper for macOS/Linux compatibility
- **Robust error handling** - comprehensive logging and debugging support
## Installation
### Prerequisites
- Python 3.11+
- MCP client (Claude Desktop, cline, etc.)
### Setup
1. Clone this repository:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/unlock-mcp/mcp-docs-server.git
cd mcp-docs-server
```
2. Install dependencies:
```bash
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
3. Create your documentation file:
```bash
# Create a context.md file in the project root with your documentation
echo "# My Project Docs\n\nThis is my documentation." > context.md
```
### Client Configuration
#### For Claude Desktop (GUI clients)
Use the shell wrapper for reliable execution:
1. Make the wrapper executable:
```bash
chmod +x run_context_server.sh
```
2. Install the server:
```bash
mcp install ./run_context_server.sh --name "docs-server"
```
#### For cline and CLI clients
Add to your MCP configuration file:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"docs-server": {
"timeout": 60,
"type": "stdio",
"command": "/opt/homebrew/bin/python3.11",
"args": [
"/path/to/mcp-docs-server/mcp_context_server.py"
],
"env": {}
}
}
}
```
*Note: Update the Python path to match your system (`which python3.11`)*
## Development
### Testing
Use the MCP development tools for easy testing:
```bash
mcp dev ./run_context_server.sh
```
This launches a web-based inspector for testing your server.
### Debugging
The server logs to stderr for debugging. Check your MCP client's logs if you encounter issues.
Common issues:
- **ENOENT errors**: Use the shell wrapper or specify full Python path
- **Import errors**: Ensure `mcp[cli]>=1.2.0` is installed
- **File not found**: Verify `context.md` exists in the project root
## File Structure
```
mcp-docs-server/
├── mcp_context_server.py # Main server implementation
├── run_context_server.sh # Shell wrapper for GUI clients
├── requirements.txt # Python dependencies
├── context.md # Your documentation (create this)
└── README.md # This file
```
## Usage
Once configured, you can use these tools in your MCP client:
- **Get overview**: "What sections are available in the docs?"
- **Search content**: "Search for authentication in the docs"
- **Specific queries**: "How do I configure the database?"
## Tutorial
For a complete walkthrough of building this server from scratch, including common pitfalls and solutions, see the full tutorial: [Ditching RAG: Building a Local MCP Server for Your Docs](https://unlockmcp.com/guides/how-to-build-a-local-mcp-server-for-your-docs-a-complete-walkthrough/)
## Contributing
Contributions welcome! Please feel free to submit issues and pull requests.
## License
MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.
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Built with ❤️ by the [UnlockMCP](https://unlockmcp.com) team.
