# trace-mcp

trace-mcp indexes a repository so an agent can retrieve code context instead of repeatedly reading files. Use it to explore a project or prepare for a pull request review.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed · ★ 193
- Author: nikolai-vysotskyi
- License: MIT · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp
- Updated: 2026-10-24
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/trace-mcp

## What it does

trace-mcp creates a code index that an agent can query for project details. It lists support for 81 languages and integrations with 88 frameworks. Project code stays local.

Install the server with `npm install -g trace-mcp`, then connect it to Claude Code with `claude mcp add trace-mcp -- npx -y trace-mcp`. Run `trace add` from the repository directory to index that project. Claude Code needs the MCP connection configured before it can use the server.

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

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add trace-mcp -- npx -y trace-mcp
```

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add trace-mcp -- npx -y trace-mcp
```

### Cursor

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

### GitHub Copilot

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

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add trace-mcp npx -y trace-mcp
```

## When to use it
- retrieve code context without repeatedly reading project files
- gather repository details for a pull request review
- index the repository in the current directory

## Example prompts
- Use `trace-mcp` to find the code related to this change and explain how it fits the project.
- Gather project context with `trace-mcp` before reviewing this pull request.
- Index the current repository with `trace add`.

## Similar
- [REA](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/rea.md) — MCP server · ★ 386989
- [GitHub](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/github.md) — MCP server · ★ 33918
- [Netdata](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/netdata.md) — MCP server · ★ 81115
- [browser-use](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/browser-use.md) — MCP server · ★ 119160
- [Codebase Memory](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/codebase-memory.md) — MCP server · ★ 47392
- [mcp-server](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/mcp-server.md) — MCP server · ★ 43872

---
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