ask-user-mcp

MCP server that enables Claude to pause and ask clarifying questions via Emacs.

Quick Start

npm install
npm run build

Built files are in build/.

agent-shell Configuration

Add to ~/.config/agent-shell/mcp-servers.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ask-user": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/REPLACE/WITH/ABSOLUTE/PATH/ask-user-mcp/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Replace /REPLACE/WITH/ABSOLUTE/PATH/ with the actual path to this project.

Emacs Setup

Add to your Emacs config:

;; ask-user-mcp support
(load-file "/REPLACE/WITH/ABSOLUTE/PATH/ask-user-mcp/emacs/ask-user.el")

;; Ensure Emacs server is running (required for emacsclient)
(unless (server-running-p)
  (server-start))

Replace /REPLACE/WITH/ABSOLUTE/PATH/ with the actual path to this project.

Tool Parameters

The ask_user tool accepts:

• question (required): The question to ask the user

• header (optional): Context displayed above the question in the prompt

• timeout_ms (optional): How long to wait for response

  • Minimum: 30 seconds (30000)

  • Maximum: 30 minutes (1800000)

  • Default: 5 minutes (300000)

Debugging

Enable debug logs to see Q&A audit trail:

LOG_LEVEL=debug node build/index.js

Debug logs include: question, response, duration, and success/error status.

For common issues, see TROUBLESHOOTING.md.