ClaudeCode-MCP Server: Powering AI Applications through Model Context Protocol

Overview: What is ClaudeCode-MCP Server?

ClaudeCode-MCP Server is an advanced MCP (Model Context Protocol) server specifically designed to facilitate integration between AI applications such as Claude Code and other tools. Utilizing Node.js and the MCP SDK, this server acts as a bridge, simplifying interaction with the Claude Code command-line interface through standardized protocols. It supports key functionalities like code explanation, review, debugging, editing, testing, and custom queries, enhancing AI workloads.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

ClaudeCode-MCP Server leverages Model Context Protocol to ensure seamless communication between various AI applications and resources. It provides a robust framework for tools such as explain_code, review_code, fix_code, edit_code, test_code, and your_own_query. The server encodes natural language input using Base64 encoding, ensuring compatibility and improved stability. Additionally, it supports the integration of Claude Code CLI environments, enabling versatile usage across different operating systems.

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The architecture of ClaudeCode-MCP Server is built to comply with the Model Context Protocol, facilitating easy onboarding for developers. The server uses Node.js for backend logic and MCP SDK for protocol handling. It receives JSON format requests via stdio from clients, encodes text inputs effectively, executes commands using Node.js's child_process.spawn module, and returns results in JSON.

MCP Protocol Flow Diagram:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Server]
    B --> C[ Claude Code CLI ]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style B fill:#f3e5f5
    style C fill:#e8f5e8

Data Architecture Diagram:

graph TD;
    InputData--(Base64 Encode)-->EncodedData;
    EncodedData--(JSON Requests)-->MCP-Server;
    MCP-Server -->|Execute Command| ClaudeCode-CLI;
    ClaudeCode-CLI--(Command Output)-->(Standard Output);
    (Standard Output) --> (MCP-Server);
    MCP-Server --(JSON Responses)-->EncodedData;
    EncodedData--(Base64 Decode)-->OutputData;

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To get started, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• Node.js version 18 or later (tested with v22.14.0)
• npm or yarn
• Claude Code CLI installed and authenticated according to official documentation.

Installation & Usage

You can use several methods to set up and run the server:

Using npx (Recommended for Quick Use)

npx @kunihiros/claude-code-mcp

Global Installation

Install globally using npm or yarn:

npm install -g claude-code-mcp
# OR
yarn global add claude-code-mcp

Then run the server as a command:

claude-code-mcp

Local Installation (For Development)

Clone and set up locally from the repository:

git clone https://github.com/KunihiroS/claude-code-mcp.git
cd claude-code-server
npm install
npm run build
node build/index.js

Configuration

Regardless of your installation method, you need to configure environment variables. You can use one of the following approaches:

1. Using MCP Host Settings (Recommended for npx):

   # .env or ~/.claude-code-mcp.env
   CLAUDE_BIN=/path/to/your/claude/executable  # REQUIRED: Set the full path to your Claude CLI
   LOG_LEVEL=info                             # Optional: Set log level (e.g., debug, info, warn, error)
   

2. Using a .env file: Create a .env in the project root and fill it with:

   CLAUDE_BIN=/path/to/your/claude/executable  # REQUIRED: Set the full path to your Claude CLI
   LOG_LEVEL=info                             # Optional: Set log level (e.g., debug, info, warn, error)
   

3. Using a global config file: Create a ~/.claude-code-mcp.env and fill it appropriately:

   CLAUDE_BIN=/path/to/your/claude/executable  # REQUIRED: Set the full path to your Claude CLI
   LOG_LEVEL=info                             # Optional: Set log level (e.g., debug, info, warn, error)
   

For MCP Host settings configuration:

    "claude-code-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@kunihiros/claude-code-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CLAUDE_BIN": "/path/to/your/claude/executable", // REQUIRED: Set the absolute path
        "LOG_LEVEL": "info"                             // Optional: Set log level
      },
      "disabled": false
    }

After configuring, you can run the server accordingly.

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

Code Explanation and Debugging

Imagine you are working on a complex project where understanding code functionality is critical. By leveraging the explain_code tool, you can provide detailed context to your team or future you. For example:

{
  "tool": "explain_code",
  "code": "<The actual code string>"
}

Code Editing and Testing

For routine debugging and improving code quality:

{
  "tool": "edit_code",
  "original_code": "<The original code>",
  "instructions": "<Instructions on how to edit>"
}

And for testing generated edits:

{
  "tool": "test_code",
  "edited_code": "<The edited code>",
  "test_cases": "<Test cases to validate the changes>"
}

These tools help streamline the development process, ensuring that every change is both efficient and effective.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

This server supports a wide range of MCP clients including Claude Desktop, Continue, and Cursor. Below is a compatibility matrix highlighting supported features:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
Continue	✅	✅	✅
Cursor	❌ (Tools Only)	✅ (Limited)	❌

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

Feature	Performance	Compatibility
Code Explanation	High	✔
Code Review	Medium-High	✔
Code Fixing	High	✔
Code Editing & Testing	High	✔

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

Advanced users can extend the functionality by incorporating custom prompts and resource configurations. To enhance security, you should always protect your environment variables from unauthorized access.

Example Configuration:

Here’s an example of advanced configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "[server-name]": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-[name]"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does the server ensure secure communication between MCP clients and servers?

A1: The server uses secure JSON requests over stdio, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality.

Q2: Can I integrate this server with multiple AI applications simultaneously?

A2: Yes, you can configure the server to support multiple clients by adding more entries in the mcpServers array.

Q3: What happens if my Claude Code CLI installation is outdated or unresponsive?

A3: You should regularly update your CLI and restart the server to ensure compatibility and responsiveness. If issues persist, check for updates in the official documentation.

Q4: How can I optimize performance during code debugging processes?

A4: Optimize by refining prompts and reducing unnecessary commands. Implement batch processing where possible to reduce overhead.

Q5: Are there any known limitations or edge cases with this server?

A5: The server is tested on major operating systems but may require adjustments for highly specialized or niche environments. Always test in a controlled environment before deploying.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributors are welcome to enhance the functionality and stability of ClaudeCode-MCP Server. Key guidelines include:

• Forking the repository and submitting PRs.
• Testing across different environments to ensure broad compatibility.
• Documenting new features and tools for clarity.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

Explore the broader MCP ecosystem at MCP Official Website for additional resources, including documentation, tutorials, and community engagement platforms. Join forums or communities dedicated to Model Context Protocol to share insights and collaborate with other developers on related projects.

By leveraging ClaudeCode-MCP Server, AI developers can build robust solutions that enhance productivity and streamline workflows, ensuring smooth integration across a variety of tools and applications.