CodeMCP

The CodeMCP MCP Server transforms Claude Desktop into a powerful pair programming assistant that directly edits files and runs tests on your local codebase.

Features

• 🤖 Direct File Editing: Claude can modify files in your codebase without manual copy-paste
• 🔧 Automated Test Execution: Run tests and formatters as part of the development workflow
• 💰 Subscription-Based: Works with Claude Pro’s flat-rate pricing model
• 🔄 Auto-Accept by Default: Agent operates autonomously with minimal interruption
• 🔒 Restricted Shell Access: Predeclared commands in configuration prevent arbitrary execution
• 📝 Git Version Control: All AI edits are automatically committed for easy rollback
• 🛠️ IDE Agnostic: Compatible with any text editor or IDE
• 🌐 Remote Operation: Can run on remote servers via Tailscale
• 🔧 Custom Commands: Configure project-specific formatters and test runners

Use Cases

• Feature Implementation: Ask Claude to implement new features end-to-end, from initial code to passing tests
• Bug Fixes: Describe failing tests or issues and let Claude diagnose and fix problems automatically
• Code Refactoring: Request structural changes to improve code organization while maintaining functionality
• Test-Driven Development: Have Claude write tests first, then implement code to make them pass
• Code Formatting: Automatically apply consistent formatting across your entire codebase
• Legacy Code Updates: Modernize old codebases by describing desired improvements

Installation

1. Install Prerequisites

• Install uv package manager
• Install Git if not already present

2. Install Browser Extension

• Add claude-mcp to your browser
• This enables SSE MCP server connections directly from the Claude website

3. Run codemcp Server

   uvx --from git+https://github.com/ezyang/codemcp@prod codemcp serve

• Add --port 1234 for custom port
• Use @main instead of @prod for latest development version
• Use @0.3.0 for specific release versions

4. Configure Browser Extension

• Set URL to: http://127.0.0.1:8000/sse
• Adjust port if you specified a different one

5. Verify Connection

• Look for “[MCP codemcp] SSE connection opened” in browser console
• Ask Claude what tools are available to confirm connection

Configuration

Create a codemcp.toml file in your Git repository root:

project_prompt = """
Custom instructions for your project go here.
"""
[commands]
format = ["./run_format.sh"]
test = ["./run_test.sh"]

Configuration Options:

• project_prompt: Custom instructions loaded when initializing projects
• commands.format: Runs automatically after every file edit
• commands.test: Available for Claude to run when needed
• Custom commands can include detailed documentation:

  [commands.test]
  command = ["./run_test.sh"]
  doc = "Accepts a pytest-style test selector as an argument to run a specific test."

Usage

1. Initialize Project: Create a Claude Project with instruction: “Initialize codemcp with $PROJECT_DIR”
2. Request Changes: Describe what you want Claude to implement or fix
3. Review Commits: Each chat generates a Git commit that gets amended as work progresses
4. Iterate: Continue requesting changes or refinements

Advanced Setup

Remote Operation (Tailscale users):

uvx --from git+https://github.com/ezyang/codemcp@prod codemcp serve --host 100.101.102.103

Replace with your Tailscale IP address.

Global Configuration (~/.codemcprc):

[logger]
verbosity = "INFO"  # DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR, or CRITICAL

Troubleshooting

Development Mode:

PYTHONPATH=. mcp dev codemcp/__main__.py

Log Location: ~/.codemcp/codemcp.log

Verify MCP Connection: Ask Claude “What tools do you have available?” to confirm codemcp tools are loaded.

FAQs

Q: How does codemcp differ from Claude Code or Cursor?
A: codemcp works with Claude Pro’s subscription pricing, operates with auto-accept by default, and remains IDE agnostic. It uses Git versioning for all changes and restricts shell access through predeclared commands.

Q: Can I use codemcp with Claude Max instead of Claude Pro?
A: Yes, though Claude Code might be more suitable for Claude Max users.

Q: What happens if Claude makes unwanted changes?
A: All edits are Git versioned automatically. You can roll back changes on a fine-grained basis using standard Git commands.

Q: How do I prevent Claude from running dangerous commands?
A: Shell access is restricted to commands predeclared in your codemcp.toml file. Claude cannot execute arbitrary shell commands.

Q: Can I run codemcp on a remote server?
A: Yes, use Tailscale for secure remote access. Never bind to 0.0.0.0 as this creates security risks.