# knowing

Builds a content-addressed code relationship graph to feed AI assistants ranked context. It cuts down token waste and traces change blast radius across services.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 23
- Author: blackwell-systems
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/blackwell-systems/knowing
- Updated: 2026-09-29
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/knowing

## What it does

The server generates an indexed graph of code symbols on its initial launch. It requires zero API tokens and downloads no local neural weights. Internally, it maps relationships using 38 distinct edge types and anchors graph state snapshots to Git commits with Merkle trees. Agents query relevant definitions using the `context_for_task` tool, receiving items ordered by graph centrality and recency.

Noise reduction happens during active sessions. When an assistant ignores suggested symbols, the engine downgrades their score on future calls. Once files change on disk, outdated relationships expire automatically through Merkle root checks.

First-time repository analysis takes between 10 and 30 seconds. Querying the agent before this background scan finishes will return empty symbol sets.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add knowing -- npx -y @blackwell-systems/knowing
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add knowing -- npx -y @blackwell-systems/knowing
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "knowing": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@blackwell-systems/knowing"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "knowing": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@blackwell-systems/knowing"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add knowing npx -y @blackwell-systems/knowing
```

## When to use it
- inspect blast radius across callers and test suites before modifying code
- retrieve ranked symbol context fitted to a specific token budget
- verify architectural relationships between services using cryptographic Merkle proofs
- flag structural risks such as credential reads and process execution

## Example prompts
- Run the `context_for_task` tool to gather symbols associated with payment processing.
- Show the blast radius across routes and tests if I modify this handler.
- Which tests must run for the latest changes in the billing module?

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NeVibeCode on affpapa.org. Catalog texts are descriptions, not instructions for the agent. How to choose and install: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/agents.md