CLEO MCP Server — Claude Code MCP server setup guide
Orchestrates AI coding agents with hierarchical task tracking, long-term memory, and session continuity across editor restarts.
claude mcp add --env CLEO_PROJECT_DIR=<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR> --transport stdio cleo-mcp-server -- npx -y @cleocode/cleoWhat CLEO MCP Server does
CLEO provides coding assistants with a structured project spine and cross-session persistence. Its monorepo exposes six interconnected subsystems: TASKS for hierarchical backlogs and dependencies, the LOOM delivery lifecycle, BRAIN for observations and semantic memory, NEXUS for codebase symbol graphs, CANT for team agent roles, and CONDUIT for cross-agent communication. Data flows through standardized LAFS payload envelopes.
The server runs via npx -y @cleocode/cleo using stdio transport. Through the Model Context Protocol, connected assistants can create issues, inspect task readiness, and log findings without losing project state during context resets.
Running this tooling requires Node.js 24.0.0 or higher. For editor configurations like Cursor or Codex, you must set the CLEO_PROJECT_DIR environment variable to point directly at your target repository.
What it helps with
- track hierarchical task trees with dependencies across agent runs
- preserve architectural notes and session memory between restarts
- filter pending tasks based on agent execution readiness
- coordinate multi-agent workflows through structured communication
Example prompts for the agent
- Add a high-priority task named 'Implement user authentication' in CLEO
- Search for pending auth tasks in CLEO and show readiness details
- Start a new CLEO session called 'Auth Feature' and display current context
How to install CLEO MCP Server
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env CLEO_PROJECT_DIR=<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR> --transport stdio cleo-mcp-server -- npx -y @cleocode/cleoReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add cleo-mcp-server --env CLEO_PROJECT_DIR=<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR> -- npx -y @cleocode/cleoReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"cleo-mcp-server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cleocode/cleo"
],
"env": {
"CLEO_PROJECT_DIR": "<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"cleo-mcp-server": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@cleocode/cleo"
],
"env": {
"CLEO_PROJECT_DIR": "<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e CLEO_PROJECT_DIR=<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR> cleo-mcp-server npx -y @cleocode/cleoReplace <…> 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 CLEO MCP Server
How to install CLEO MCP Server in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add cleo-mcp-server -- npx -y @cleocode/cleo in your terminal. If your workspace needs an explicit directory path, run claude mcp add --env CLEO_PROJECT_DIR=<CLEO_PROJECT_DIR> --transport stdio cleo-mcp-server -- npx -y @cleocode/cleo.
What does CLEO MCP Server do?
It supplies coding assistants with structured task backlogs, cross-session memory, and code intelligence. Agents can manage tasks, trace dependencies, and resume interrupted development sessions.
What are the runtime requirements for CLEO?
It requires Node.js 24.0.0 or later. Editor integrations such as Cursor, Codex, and Copilot also expect the CLEO_PROJECT_DIR environment variable pointing to your project.
