The MCP Tools server enables AI agents to perform surgical code editing and system notifications with precision across codebases.
Find and extract code symbols: Search for functions, classes, types, and other symbols across multiple file formats (TypeScript, JavaScript, GraphQL, CSS, and other brace-based languages) using
read_symbol
with wildcard support and specific file pathsSurgical text editing: Insert or replace text at specific line ranges using
insert_text
for precise modifications without manual file navigationSend OS notifications: Display native system notifications with custom messages and optional titles to alert users of progress or events
Advanced code intelligence: Combine
read_symbol
withinsert_text
for cross-codebase operations, enabling zero-error refactoring and targeted edits with streaming performance optimization and concurrency control
Offers tools to find and extract JavaScript code blocks by symbol name and import/inspect JavaScript modules and their properties.
Enables inspection of Lodash modules and properties through the import_symbol tool, allowing AI agents to analyze and utilize Lodash functionality.
Built for Node.js environment, providing programmatic file operations, module inspection, and OS notifications that leverage Node.js capabilities.
Provides tools for finding and extracting TypeScript code blocks by symbol name and importing/inspecting TypeScript modules and their properties.
MCP Tools
Enables agents to quickly find and edit code in a codebase with surgical precision. Find symbols, edit them everywhere.
📋 Table of Contents
🚀 Quick Start
Option 1: NPX (Recommended)
Add this to ~/.cursor/mcp.json
for Cursor, ~/.config/claude_desktop_config.json
for Claude Desktop.
Option 2: Docker
Option 3: HTTP transport
First run the server:
Then:
🛠️ Available Tools
Tool | Description | Parameters |
| Find and extract code blocks by symbol name(s) from files. Supports multiple symbols via array |
(string[]),
,
,
|
| Import and inspect JavaScript/TypeScript modules and their properties |
,
|
| Search and replace with intelligent whitespace handling and automation-friendly multiple match resolution |
,
,
,
|
| Insert/replace text at precise line ranges. Perfect for direct line operations from code citations (12:15:file.ts) and surgical edits in large files |
,
,
,
|
| Send OS notifications using native notification systems |
,
|
⚡ Surgical Code Editing: Surgical Precision
The combination of read_symbol
+ insert_text
unlocks revolutionary code editing capabilities that transform how AI agents work with codebases.
🎯 The Power Combo
1. Symbol Discovery ( - Find ANY symbol(s) ANYWHERE in your codebase:
2. Surgical Editing ( - Make precise modifications using exact line ranges:
🚀 Superpowers Unlocked
🔍 Cross-Codebase Intelligence
Find any symbol across entire repositories instantly
No manual searching through files and folders
Perfect accuracy even in massive codebases
✂️ Precision Surgery
Edit exact functions, classes, or code blocks
Replace implementations without affecting surrounding code
Insert enhancements at perfect locations
🎛️ Zero-Error Refactoring
Update function signatures everywhere they exist
Modify APIs across all files simultaneously
Fix bugs with surgical precision across entire codebase
💡 Real-World Magic
This transforms AI from "helpful assistant" to "surgical code surgeon" 🦾
🎛️ Environment Variables
Variable | Default | Description |
|
| Transport mode:
or
|
|
| HTTP server port (when
) |
|
| Enable debug mode and
tool |
🖥️ Server Usage
You can either install and use mcp-files
or npx mcp-files
.
💻 CLI Usage
All tools can be used directly from the command line:
🏗️ Architecture
Type-safe tools with Zod validation
Self-contained modules in
src/tools/
Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows, WSL)
Performance optimized with memoization
Clear error handling with descriptive messages
🧪 Development
🧹 Code Optimization
The read_symbol
tool includes an optimize
parameter that cleans up code for AI processing:
What it does:
Strips comments: Removes
//
,/* */
, and/** */
commentsCollapses newlines: Multiple consecutive newlines become single newlines
Normalizes indentation: Converts spaces to tabs (detects indentation token size automatically)
Removes base indentation: Eliminates common leading whitespace
Usage:
Perfect for: Reducing token count in AI context windows while preserving code structure and readability.
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Requirements
Node.js ≥20 - This package requires Node.js version 20 or higher
Common Issues
ERR_MODULE_NOT_FOUND when running
Problem: Error like
Cannot find module '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/dist/esm/server/index.js'
when runningnpx mcp-files
Cause: Corrupt or incomplete npx cache preventing proper dependency resolution
Solution: Clear the npx cache and try again:
npx clear-npx-cache npx mcp-filesNote: This issue can occur on both Node.js v20 and v22, and the cache clear resolves it
Tools not showing up in MCP client:
Verify Node.js version is 20 or higher
Try restarting your MCP client after configuration changes
File operations failing:
Ensure proper file permissions for the files you're trying to read/modify
Use absolute paths when possible for better reliability
Check that the target files exist and are accessible
📝 License
MIT - see LICENSE file.
🔗 Links
Built for AI agents 🤖
hybrid server
The server is able to function both locally and remotely, depending on the configuration or use case.
A comprehensive MCP server providing tools for AI agents to interact with code, including reading symbols, importing modules, replacing text, and sending OS notifications.
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