Lockstep — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Supplies AI coding agents with verified engineering decisions directly at session start. Catches changes that contradict agreed team rules before code ships.
claude mcp add --env LOCKSTEP_VENDOR=<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR> --transport stdio cli -- npx -y lockstep-cliWhat Lockstep does
Lockstep extracts technical choices from Slack, Jira, Notion, and pull requests. Each entry requires confirmation from its owner. When a coding agent starts a session, the server provides the active rule set. If proposed code conflicts with a locked decision, the tool flags it immediately.
Repository setup relies on lockstep-cli. Running lockstep login authenticates the client, while lockstep onboard configures hooks and links the agent. Diagnostics run through lockstep status to inspect configuration health.
Teams can host the platform independently using docker compose up under the Apache-2.0 license. Without running authentication or passing LOCKSTEP_VENDOR, the agent will fail to retrieve team records.
What it helps with
- feed confirmed architectural decisions to coding agents at session start
- detect pull request changes that violate team agreements
- centralize engineering choices across Slack, Notion, Jira, and pull requests
- configure hooks and agent integration using
lockstep onboard
Example prompts for the agent
- Check my current changes against locked architecture decisions.
- List all confirmed technical guidelines for this repository.
How to install Lockstep
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env LOCKSTEP_VENDOR=<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR> --transport stdio cli -- npx -y lockstep-cliReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add cli --env LOCKSTEP_VENDOR=<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR> -- npx -y lockstep-cliReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"cli": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"lockstep-cli"
],
"env": {
"LOCKSTEP_VENDOR": "<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"cli": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"lockstep-cli"
],
"env": {
"LOCKSTEP_VENDOR": "<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e LOCKSTEP_VENDOR=<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR> cli npx -y lockstep-cliReplace <…> 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 Lockstep
How to install Lockstep in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add lockstep -- npx -y lockstep-cli. To supply a vendor variable, execute claude mcp add --env LOCKSTEP_VENDOR=<LOCKSTEP_VENDOR> --transport stdio cli -- npx -y lockstep-cli.
What does Lockstep do?
It captures engineering rules from issue trackers and discussions, injecting them into agent context before work starts. It also warns developers when code conflicts with locked choices.
Can I host Lockstep on my own infrastructure?
Yes, Lockstep is licensed under Apache-2.0 and supports self-hosting. You can run it locally or on a server via docker compose up.
