---
title: Developer Guide
description: Set up and run Context7 MCP locally for development
---
This guide covers how to set up the Context7 MCP server locally for development and testing.
## Getting Started
Clone the project and install dependencies:
```bash
git clone https://github.com/upstash/context7.git
cd context7
pnpm i
```
Build:
```bash
pnpm run build
```
Run the server:
```bash
node packages/mcp/dist/index.js
```
## CLI Arguments
`context7-mcp` accepts the following CLI flags:
| Flag | Description | Default |
|------|-------------|---------|
| `--transport <stdio\|http>` | Transport to use. Use `http` for remote HTTP server or `stdio` for local integration. | `stdio` |
| `--port <number>` | Port to listen on when using `http` transport. | `3000` |
| `--api-key <key>` | API key for authentication (or set `CONTEXT7_API_KEY` env var). | - |
<Note>
Get your API key by creating an account at [context7.com/dashboard](https://context7.com/dashboard).
</Note>
### Examples
HTTP transport on port 8080:
```bash
node packages/mcp/dist/index.js --transport http --port 8080
```
Stdio transport with API key:
```bash
node packages/mcp/dist/index.js --transport stdio --api-key YOUR_API_KEY
```
## Environment Variables
You can use the `CONTEXT7_API_KEY` environment variable instead of passing the `--api-key` flag. This is useful for:
- Storing API keys securely in `.env` files
- Integration with MCP server setups that use dotenv
- Tools that prefer environment variable configuration
<Warning>
The `--api-key` CLI flag takes precedence over the environment variable when both are provided.
</Warning>
### Using .env File
```bash
# .env
CONTEXT7_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
```
### MCP Configuration with Environment Variable
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"context7": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp"],
"env": {
"CONTEXT7_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
}
}
}
}
```
## Local Development Configuration
When developing locally, use this configuration to run from source:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"context7": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["tsx", "/path/to/folder/context7/src/index.ts", "--api-key", "YOUR_API_KEY"]
}
}
}
```
## Testing with MCP Inspector
Test your setup using the MCP Inspector:
```bash
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/inspector npx @upstash/context7-mcp
```
This opens an interactive inspector to verify Context7 tools are working correctly.
