Contextful — Claude Code MCP server: features and setup
Contextful indexes a project and gives coding agents cited bundles of relevant code and docs. Use it to locate implementation details or carry project decisions across sessions.
claude mcp add contextful -- npx -y @inferensys/contextfulWhat Contextful does
Contextful searches code, symbols, documentation, project relationships, and saved lessons. Rather than opening files one by one, an agent can request a ranked bundle with evidence references. The local index uses SQLite and FTS5.
The memory ledger stores project facts and decisions alongside references to files, symbols, commits, or earlier context bundles. When supporting evidence changes, a memory can be marked stale. Running cxf init indexes a workspace and creates .contextful/AGENT_INSTRUCTIONS.md; the CLI can also test search results locally.
The service operates locally: it does not send source code to external embedding APIs or modify project files. Contextful is in early alpha, and its API and integrations are subject to change. That matters if you rely on a fixed setup.
What it helps with
- locate code related to a question
- retrieve cited excerpts from a project
- trace links between modules and configuration
- save a project decision with supporting evidence
- inspect likely tests affected by a symbol
Example prompts for the agent
- Find where user authentication is handled and return a cited context bundle.
- Trace the links from
AuthServiceto its configuration and related tests. - Save the decision about user profiles with references to supporting files.
How to install Contextful
Platform CLI
claude mcp add contextful -- npx -y @inferensys/contextfulPlatform CLI
codex mcp add contextful -- npx -y @inferensys/contextfulConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"contextful": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@inferensys/contextful"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"contextful": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@inferensys/contextful"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add contextful npx -y @inferensys/contextfulStep 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 Contextful
How do I install Contextful in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add contextful -- npx -y @inferensys/contextful. This adds Contextful as an MCP server in Claude Code.
What does Contextful do?
It indexes a project and searches its code, docs, symbols, relationships, and saved lessons. Agents can request compact results with evidence references.
What evidence can a memory entry reference?
Memory entries need references to files, symbols, commits, or context bundles. Contextful rejects invalid evidence or marks stale evidence accordingly.
