Axis — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Axis gives coding agents a shared task board and file locks. Use it when several agents may work in the same repository.
claude mcp add --transport http axis https://useaxis.dev/api/mcpWhat Axis does
Axis connects agents to one project board. Before editing a file, an agent requests access with propose_file_access; another agent then sees that the path is held and why. The server exposes tools for jobs, locks, agent lists, shared context, code search, documentation search, and session finalization.
The hosted board coordinates agents running on different machines and in different clients. Axis derives the project from the active repository, so jobs and locks stay tied to that project. You can run axis-server locally, but that setup needs AXIS_API_KEY and AXIS_API_SECRET; AXIS_ORG_ID selects an organization when an account belongs to several. A local process cannot connect to the board without those credentials.
What it helps with
- coordinate work claimed by multiple coding agents
- lock a file before an agent edits it
- inspect who holds a file and the stated reason
- share project context across agent sessions
Example prompts for the agent
- Connect Axis and check whether another agent is using
src/auth.ts. - Claim the next available job, then reserve the files it requires.
- Finish the session and release the file locks.
How to install Axis
1Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http axis https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp2Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env AXIS_API_KEY=<AXIS_API_KEY> --env AXIS_API_SECRET=<AXIS_API_SECRET> --env AXIS_ORG_ID=<AXIS_ORG_ID> --transport stdio axis-server -- npx -y @virsanghavi/axis-serverReplace <…> with your own values
1Platform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add axis-server --url https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp2Platform CLI
codex mcp add axis-server --env AXIS_API_KEY=<AXIS_API_KEY> --env AXIS_API_SECRET=<AXIS_API_SECRET> --env AXIS_ORG_ID=<AXIS_ORG_ID> -- npx -y @virsanghavi/axis-serverReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"axis-server": {
"url": "https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp"
}
}
}{
"mcpServers": {
"axis-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@virsanghavi/axis-server"
],
"env": {
"AXIS_API_KEY": "<AXIS_API_KEY>",
"AXIS_API_SECRET": "<AXIS_API_SECRET>",
"AXIS_ORG_ID": "<AXIS_ORG_ID>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"axis-server": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp"
}
}
}{
"servers": {
"axis-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@virsanghavi/axis-server"
],
"env": {
"AXIS_API_KEY": "<AXIS_API_KEY>",
"AXIS_API_SECRET": "<AXIS_API_SECRET>",
"AXIS_ORG_ID": "<AXIS_ORG_ID>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
1Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http axis-server https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp2Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e AXIS_API_KEY=<AXIS_API_KEY> -e AXIS_API_SECRET=<AXIS_API_SECRET> -e AXIS_ORG_ID=<AXIS_ORG_ID> axis-server npx -y @virsanghavi/axis-serverReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Axis
How do I install Axis in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http axis https://useaxis.dev/api/mcp.
What does Axis do?
It gives coding agents a shared job board and file-locking workflow. An agent requests access before editing, while other agents can see the lock and its reason.
What is required for a local Axis server?
Run axis-server with AXIS_API_KEY and AXIS_API_SECRET; set AXIS_ORG_ID when the account belongs to multiple organizations. AXIS_WORKSPACE_ROOT can provide the repository root to the agent host.
