sverklo — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
sverklo gives coding agents repository context through symbols, relationships, diffs, and Git decisions. Use it before edits that require more than an exact-string search.
claude mcp add sverklo -- npx -y sverkloWhat sverklo does
sverklo exposes 37 MCP tools for understanding a repository before code changes. It combines hybrid search with caller and dependency lookup, diff review, blast-radius checks, and access to decisions pinned in Git. The server supports Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, and Zed.
You can begin with sverklo prove --no-write --guided --markdown. It selects central files and a symbol with its callers, explains the selection, and prints a prompt for the agent without changing the project. sverklo init --dry-run previews touched files; sverklo init writes the MCP setup, adds local guidance to AGENTS.md or CLAUDE.md, then runs sverklo doctor.
The bundled embedding provider keeps indexing and vector generation on the machine running the server. If a remote provider is configured explicitly, code pieces are sent there for embedding. That boundary matters when repository code must stay local.
What it helps with
- trace a symbol to its callers
- check change impact before editing
- review a diff against related tests
- recover earlier repository decisions
- preview MCP setup changes
Example prompts for the agent
- Trace the callers and affected files for the function I’m about to edit in
src/auth.ts. - Review this diff, show its blast radius, and point to related tests.
- Run the repository proof without writing MCP configuration.
How to install sverklo
Platform CLI
claude mcp add sverklo -- npx -y sverkloPlatform CLI
codex mcp add sverklo -- npx -y sverkloConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"sverklo": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"sverklo"
]
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"sverklo": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"sverklo"
]
}
}
}Platform CLI
gemini mcp add sverklo npx -y sverkloStep 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 sverklo
How do I install sverklo in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add sverklo -- npx -y sverklo.
What does sverklo do?
It is an MCP server with 37 tools for relationship-aware code search, diff review, blast-radius analysis, and Git-pinned repository decisions.
Does sverklo send code to a remote service?
The bundled provider performs indexing and embeddings locally. Code is sent to a remote provider only when one is explicitly configured.
