# Quick Start Guide
Get fedramp-docs-mcp running in under 5 minutes.
## Prerequisites
- **Node.js** 18+ ([download](https://nodejs.org/))
- **npm** 9+ (included with Node.js)
```bash
node --version # Should be v18.0.0 or later
```
## Installation
Choose one method:
### Option 1: npx (Recommended)
No installation needed. Run directly:
```bash
npx fedramp-docs-mcp
```
### Option 2: npm Global Install
```bash
npm install -g fedramp-docs-mcp
fedramp-docs-mcp
```
### Option 3: Docker
```bash
docker run -it ghcr.io/ethanolivertroy/fedramp-docs-mcp:latest
```
## Configure Your MCP Client
### Claude Desktop
Edit `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` (macOS) or `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` (Windows):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fedramp-docs": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "fedramp-docs-mcp"]
}
}
}
```
Restart Claude Desktop.
### Cursor
Add to MCP settings:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"fedramp-docs": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "fedramp-docs-mcp"]
}
}
}
```
## Verify It Works
Ask your AI assistant:
> "Run the health_check tool from fedramp-docs"
You should see a response with repository path and indexed file counts.
## First Queries
Try these prompts:
> "List all Key Security Indicators related to identity management"
> "What FedRAMP requirements map to NIST control AC-2?"
> "Search the FedRAMP docs for continuous monitoring guidance"
> "Get a summary of the IAM theme with all related KSIs"
## Available Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| `health_check` | Verify server status |
| `list_ksi` | Browse Key Security Indicators |
| `get_ksi` | Get specific KSI details |
| `get_theme_summary` | All KSIs for a theme |
| `get_control_requirements` | FedRAMP requirements for a NIST control |
| `search_markdown` | Full-text search of docs |
See [Tools Reference](docs/reference/tools.md) for all 20 tools.
## What's Next?
- [Full Documentation](docs/README.md) - Complete guides and reference
- [MCP Client Setup](docs/guides/mcp-clients.md) - Configure other clients
- [Docker Setup](docs/setup/docker.md) - Container deployment
- [Security Hardening](docs/setup/security-hardening.md) - Production configs
## Troubleshooting
**First run is slow?** The server clones FedRAMP/docs (~50MB) on first run.
**Server not appearing in client?** Check JSON syntax in config file, then restart the client.
**Need help?** See [Troubleshooting Guide](docs/guides/troubleshooting.md) or [open an issue](https://github.com/ethanolivertroy/fedramp-docs-mcp/issues).
