SpecPilot — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Sets up and validates a .specs/ folder so coding agents follow architecture and project requirements.
claude mcp add --transport http specpilot https://init.specpilot.dev/mcpWhat SpecPilot does
SpecPilot brings spec-driven development into coding assistants. It scans your codebase, extracts requirements, and generates a structured .specs/ directory. By storing architecture decisions and task trackers alongside code, it stops AI assistants from drifting away from conventions.
You can wire it up as a remote HTTP server pointing to https://init.specpilot.dev/mcp. There are no tokens or local installations needed for this remote mode. Alternatively, installing the npm package unlocks specpilot serve, which hosts a browser dashboard on port 4321 to review tasks and advance sprints.
While the remote endpoint handles onboarding immediately, local inspection utilities like validate or archive demand the global CLI binary.
What it helps with
- create living architecture and task files inside
.specs/ - onboard AI assistants into existing repositories without manual writing
- verify specification files for consistency and syntax errors
- review completed agent tasks through a local dashboard
Example prompts for the agent
- Run project onboarding with SpecPilot and create specifications
- Check the
.specs/folder for formatting issues and missing rules - Initialize project specifications for a TypeScript React application
How to install SpecPilot
Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http specpilot https://init.specpilot.dev/mcpPlatform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add specpilot --url https://init.specpilot.dev/mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"specpilot": {
"url": "https://init.specpilot.dev/mcp"
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"specpilot": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://init.specpilot.dev/mcp"
}
}
}Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http specpilot https://init.specpilot.dev/mcpStep 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 SpecPilot
How do I install SpecPilot in Claude Code?
Run the command: claude mcp add --transport http specpilot https://init.specpilot.dev/mcp.
What does SpecPilot do?
It provides tools to analyze a codebase and organize project requirements into a .specs/ folder. This keeps coding agents aligned with your architecture and active tasks.
Does SpecPilot require an API key?
No API key is required to use the remote HTTP endpoint. If you want the local dashboard and CLI commands, install the package via npm install -g specpilot.
