# prelude

Stores repository architecture, constraints, and import graphs inside .context/. Guides agents to matching files and test suites.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 5
- Author: adjective-rob
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/adjective-rob/prelude
- Updated: 2026-10-18
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/prelude

## What it does

The tool inspects a repository and writes structured JSON summaries into a local `.context/` folder. It maps imports, records decisions, tracks constraints, and lists core entry points. Supported environments include TypeScript, JavaScript, Python, Go, and Rust.

Everything runs locally. It avoids vector databases, embeddings, and third-party network services, relying purely on regex heuristics. For execution, you need `Node.js >= 20.19`.

When agents plan an edit, the server points out dependent files, hub modules, and relevant tests to run. Teams commit the generated context to git so project memory survives across separate sessions.

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

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add prelude -- npx -y prelude-context
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add prelude -- npx -y prelude-context
```

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "prelude": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "prelude-context"
            ]
        }
    }
}
```

### GitHub Copilot

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

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add prelude npx -y prelude-context
```

## When to use it
- locate source code and matching tests for a prompt
- inspect import dependencies before modifying a file
- keep architectural rationale committed in git
- preserve project constraints across different sessions

## Example prompts
- Find modules responsible for state merging during updates
- Show test coverage and dependents for `src/core/merger.ts`
- Record an architectural decision about parser rules

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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