Code Indexer
About
Indexes and analyzes code repositories to enable file navigation, pattern searching, and complexity assessment across multiple programming languages through persistent project settings and efficient dependency management.
Details
- Repository
- johnhuang316/code-index-mcp
- License
- MIT
Explore
- Dual-strategy parsing: tree-sitter AST for 10 core languages, fallback for 50+ file types
- Advanced search with auto-detection of ugrep, ripgrep, ag, or grep
- Real-time file monitoring with automatic index updates
- Persistent caching for fast subsequent access
- Multi-language support including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Kotlin, C#, Go, Rust, Objective-C, Zig
Setting up with Highlight
This MCP is not yet compatible with Highlight’s one-click setup. However, you can still use it with Highlight by following these steps:
- Download and install Highlight from highlightai.com/download
- Navigate to the plugins tab and select "Add Custom Plugin"
-
Configure the plugin with the settings below
Plugin Name
Code IndexerCommand (node, npx, python, etc.)uvxArguments-
Argument 1
code-index-mcp
Please refer to the README for specific instructions on how to obtain API keys or other required environment variables.
-
Argument 1
- Enable "Start Automatically" if you want the plugin to start when Highlight launches
From the repository
The easiest way to get started with any MCP-compatible application:
Prerequisites: Python 3.10+ and uv
1. Add to your MCP configuration (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.claude.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"code-index": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["code-index-mcp"]
}
}
}
> Optional: append
--project-path /absolute/path/to/repo to the args array so the server> initializes with that repository automatically (equivalent to calling
set_project_path> after startup).
2. Restart your application – uvx automatically handles installation and execution
3. Start using (give these prompts to your AI assistant):
Set the project path to /Users/dev/my-react-app
Find all TypeScript files in this project
Search for "authentication" functions
Analyze the main App.tsx file
If you launch with
--project-path, you can skip the first command above - the server alreadyknows the project location.
If you are using Anthropic's Codex CLI, add the server to ~/.codex/config.toml.
On Windows the file lives at C:\Users\<you>\.codex\config.toml:
[mcp_servers.code-index]
type = "stdio"
command = "uvx"
args = ["code-index-mcp"]
> You can append --project-path C:/absolute/path/to/repo to the args list to set the project
> automatically on startup (same effect as running the set_project_path tool).
On Windows, uvx needs the standard profile directories to be present.
Keep the environment override in the same block so the MCP starts reliably:
env = {
HOME = "C:\\Users\\<you>",
APPDATA = "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Roaming",
LOCALAPPDATA = "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Local",
SystemRoot = "C:\\Windows"
}
Linux and macOS already expose the required XDG paths and HOME, so you can usually omit the env
table there.
Add overrides only if you run the CLI inside a restricted container.
For contributing or local development:
1. Clone and install:
git clone https://github.com/johnhuang316/code-index-mcp.git
cd code-index-mcp
uv sync
2. Configure for local development:
{
"mcpServers": {
"code-index": {
"command": "uv",
"args": ["run", "code-index-mcp"]
}
}
}
3. Debug with MCP Inspector:
npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector uv run code-index-mcp
<details>
<summary><strong>Alternative: Manual pip Installation</strong></summary>
If you prefer traditional pip management:
pip install code-index-mcp
Then configure:
{
"mcpServers": {
"code-index": {
"command": "code-index-mcp",
"args": []
}
}
}
</details>
1. Initialize Your Project
Set the project path to /Users/dev/my-react-app
Automatically indexes your codebase and creates searchable cache
2. Explore Project Structure
Find all TypeScript component files in src/components
Uses:
find_files with pattern src/components//.tsx
3. Analyze Key Files
Give me a summary of src/api/userService.ts
Uses:
get_file_summary to show functions, imports, and complexityTip: run
build_deep_index first if you get a needs_deep_index response.*set_project_path
Initialize indexing for a project directory.
refresh_index
Rebuild the shallow file index after file changes.
build_deep_index
Generate the full symbol index used by deep analysis.
get_settings_info
View current project configuration and status.
search_code_advanced
Smart search with literal-by-default matching, optional regex, fuzzy matching, file filtering, and paginated results.
find_files
Locate files using glob patterns (e.g., `**/*.py`).
get_file_summary
Analyze file structure, functions, imports, and complexity (requires deep index).
get_file_watcher_status
Check file watcher status and configuration.
configure_file_watcher
Enable/disable auto-refresh and configure settings.
create_temp_directory
Set up storage directory for index data.
check_temp_directory
Verify index storage location and permissions.
clear_settings
Reset all cached data and configurations.
refresh_search_tools
Re-detect available search tools (ugrep, ripgrep, etc.).
Claude Desktop / Cursor
Paste into your MCP client config file to install this server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"code indexer": {
"cwd": null,
"env": {},
"args": [
"code-index-mcp"
],
"shell": false,
"command": "uvx"
}
}
}
Linux
{
"cwd": null,
"env": [],
"args": [
"code-index-mcp"
],
"shell": false,
"command": "uvx"
}
Macos
{
"cwd": null,
"env": [],
"args": [
"code-index-mcp"
],
"shell": false,
"command": "uvx"
}
Windows
{
"cwd": null,
"env": {
"HOME": "C:\\Users\\<you>",
"APPDATA": "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Roaming",
"SystemRoot": "C:\\Windows",
"LOCALAPPDATA": "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Local"
},
"args": [
"code-index-mcp"
],
"shell": false,
"command": "uvx"
}
Code Index MCP
<div align="center">
Intelligent code indexing and analysis for Large Language Models
Transform how AI understands your codebase with advanced search, analysis, and navigation capabilities.
</div>
<a href="https://glama.ai/mcp/servers/@johnhuang316/code-index-mcp">
</a>
Overview
Code Index MCP is a Model Context Protocol server that bridges the gap between AI models and complex codebases. It provides intelligent indexing, advanced search capabilities, and detailed code analysis to help AI assistants understand and navigate your projects effectively.
Perfect for: Code review, refactoring, documentation generation, debugging assistance, and architectural analysis.
Quick Start
🚀 Recommended Setup (Most Users)
The easiest way to get started with any MCP-compatible application:
Prerequisites: Python 3.10+ and uv
1. Add to your MCP configuration (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.claude.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"code-index": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["code-index-mcp"]
}
}
}
> Optional: append
--project-path /absolute/path/to/repo to the args array so the server> initializes with that repository automatically (equivalent to calling
set_project_path> after startup).
2. Restart your application – uvx automatically handles installation and execution
3. Start using (give these prompts to your AI assistant):
Set the project path to /Users/dev/my-react-app
Find all TypeScript files in this project
Search for "authentication" functions
Analyze the main App.tsx file
If you launch with
--project-path, you can skip the first command above - the server alreadyknows the project location.
Codex CLI Configuration
If you are using Anthropic's Codex CLI, add the server to ~/.codex/config.toml.
On Windows the file lives at C:\Users\<you>\.codex\config.toml:
[mcp_servers.code-index]
type = "stdio"
command = "uvx"
args = ["code-index-mcp"]
> You can append --project-path C:/absolute/path/to/repo to the args list to set the project
> automatically on startup (same effect as running the set_project_path tool).
On Windows, uvx needs the standard profile directories to be present.
Keep the environment override in the same block so the MCP starts reliably:
env = {
HOME = "C:\\Users\\<you>",
APPDATA = "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Roaming",
LOCALAPPDATA = "C:\\Users\\<you>\\AppData\\Local",
SystemRoot = "C:\\Windows"
}
Linux and macOS already expose the required XDG paths and HOME, so you can usually omit the env
table there.
Add overrides only if you run the CLI inside a restricted container.
FastMCP & Discovery Manifests
- Run fastmcp run fastmcp.json to launch the server via FastMCP with
the correct source entrypoint and dependency metadata. Pass --project-path (or call the
set_project_path tool after startup) so the index boots against the right repository.
- Serve or copy .well-known/mcp.json to share a standards-compliant MCP manifest. Clients that
support the .well-known convention (e.g., Claude Desktop, Codex CLI) can import this file
directly instead of crafting configs manually.
- Publish .well-known/mcp.llmfeed.json when you want to expose the richer LLM Feed metadata.
It references the same code-index server definition plus documentation/source links, which
helps registries present descriptions, tags, and capabilities automatically.
When sharing the manifests, remind consumers to supply --project-path (or to call
set_project_path) so the server indexes the intended repository.
Typical Use Cases
Code Review: "Find all places using the old API"
Refactoring Help: "Where is this function called?"
Learning Projects: "Show me the main components of this React project"
Debugging: "Search for all error handling related code"
Key Features
🔍 Intelligent Search & Analysis
- Dual-Strategy Architecture: Specialized tree-sitter parsing for 10 core languages, fallback strategy for 50+ file types - Direct Tree-sitter Integration: No regex fallbacks for specialized languages - fail fast with clear errors - Advanced Search: Auto-detects and uses the best available tool (ugrep, ripgrep, ag, or grep) - Universal File Support: Comprehensive coverage from advanced AST parsing to basic file indexing - File Analysis: Deep insights into structure, imports, classes, methods, and complexity metrics after runningbuild_deep_index
🗂️ Multi-Language Support
- 10 Languages with Tree-sitter AST Parsing: Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Kotlin, C#, Go, Objective-C, Zig, Rust - 50+ File Types with Fallback Strategy: C/C++, Ruby, PHP, and all other programming languages - Document & Config Files: Markdown, JSON, YAML, XML with appropriate handling - Web Frontend: Vue, React, Svelte, HTML, CSS, SCSS - Java Web & Build: JSP/Tag files (.jsp, .jspx, .jspf, .tag, .tagx), Grails/GSP (.gsp), Gradle & Groovy builds (.gradle, .groovy), .properties, and Protocol Buffers (.proto)
- Database: SQL variants, NoSQL, stored procedures, migrations
- Configuration: JSON, YAML, XML, Markdown
- View complete list
⚡ Real-time Monitoring & Auto-refresh
- File Watcher: Automatic index updates when files change - Cross-platform: Native OS file system monitoring - Smart Processing: Batches rapid changes to prevent excessive rebuilds - Shallow Index Refresh: Watches file changes and keeps the file list current; run a deep rebuild when you need symbol metadata⚡ Performance & Efficiency
- Tree-sitter AST Parsing: Native syntax parsing for accurate symbol extraction - Persistent Caching: Stores indexes for lightning-fast subsequent access - Smart Filtering: Intelligent exclusion of build directories and temporary files - Memory Efficient: Optimized for large codebases - Direct Dependencies: No fallback mechanisms - fail fast with clear error messagesSupported File Types
<details>
<summary><strong>📁 Programming Languages (Click to expand)</strong></summary>
Languages with Specialized Tree-sitter Strategies:
- Python (.py, .pyw) - Full AST analysis with class/method extraction and call tracking
- JavaScript (.js, .jsx, .mjs, .cjs) - ES6+ class and function parsing with tree-sitter
- TypeScript (.ts, .tsx) - Complete type-aware symbol extraction with interfaces
- Java (.java) - Full class hierarchy, method signatures, and call relationships
- Kotlin (.kt, .kts) - Package-aware symbol extraction with methods and call relationships
- C# (.cs) - Namespace-aware type/member extraction with call relationships
- Go (.go) - Struct methods, receiver types, and function analysis
- Rust (.rs) - Functions, module-aware names, impl methods, structs/enums/traits, and basic call relationships
- Objective-C (.m, .mm) - Class/instance method distinction with +/- notation
- Zig (.zig, .zon) - Function and struct parsing with tree-sitter AST
…
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