XLIDE — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
XLIDE lets an agent inspect and edit VBA, forms, Power Query, and Office cells. Use it when Office files need code changes, analysis, tests, or diffs.
claude mcp add xlide-mcp -- uvx xlide-mcpWhat XLIDE does
XLIDE exposes the internals of Office files to an MCP client. An agent can discover projects, inspect modules, search procedures, change VBA, handle forms, examine Power Query content, and work with worksheet cells. Analysis tools return errors and warnings, while test and macro execution cover the live Office layer.
Module writes use a content token, so a stale read cannot silently overwrite a newer change. xlide_edit_module can prepare a diff with preview_only=true, and xlide_doctor reports workspace roots, installed layers, Office applications, and the Trust Center state needed for module injection. The --root option limits accessible paths; --read-only blocks writes.
The file layer runs without Office on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Windows with the desktop Office application is required for .xlsb and .xls cell access, macro execution, and tests, so those operations will not run on a machine without that setup.
What it helps with
- inspect the VBA project inside an Office file
- edit a module without overwriting a newer version
- preview a batch of VBA line changes
- find warnings in a project analysis
- run Office macros and tests on Windows
Example prompts for the agent
- Connect
XLIDEand list the Office projects under the workspace root. - Read the
Helpersmodule fromBudget.xlsm, then prepare a guarded edit with a preview. - Analyze
Budget.xlsmand run its available tests.
How to install XLIDE
Platform CLI
claude mcp add xlide-mcp -- uvx xlide-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from xlide-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
codex mcp add xlide -- uvx xlide-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from xlide-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"xlide": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"xlide-mcp"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from xlide-mcp <command>
Config file
{
"servers": {
"xlide": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"xlide-mcp"
]
}
}
}uvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from xlide-mcp <command>
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add xlide uvx xlide-mcpuvx runs the command named after the package; if the README names another one, use uvx --from xlide-mcp <command>
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 XLIDE
How do I install XLIDE in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add xlide-mcp -- uvx xlide-mcp. Then restart the client or refresh its MCP server list.
What does XLIDE do?
It gives an MCP client tools for reading, editing, analyzing, and testing VBA, forms, Power Query, and Office cells. Module writes are checked against the content version read earlier.
What is required to run macros and tests?
Those operations require Windows with the desktop Office application. File-layer work with VBA, Power Query, and OOXML changes can run without Office installed.
