Next.js DevTools
Provides specialized development tools and utilities for Next.js, allowing AI agents to perform runtime diagnostics and access official documentation. It enables automated context initialization and real-time interaction with Next.js development serv
What is Next.js DevTools?
Next.js DevTools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to provides specialized development tools and utilities for next.js, allowing ai agents to perform runtime diagnostics and access official documentation. it enables automated context initialization and r...
Provides specialized development tools and utilities for Next.js, allowing AI agents to perform runtime diagnostics and access official documentation. It enables automated context initialization and real-time interaction with Next.js development serv
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Provides specialized development tools and utilities for Nex
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
NPM
npx -y next-devtools-mcpManual Installation
npx -y next-devtools-mcpConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Next.js DevTools
Next.js DevTools MCP is a Vercel-maintained Model Context Protocol server that provides AI agents with deep, real-time insight into Next.js projects by connecting to a live development server and surfacing runtime errors, active routes, Server Action logs, and console output. Beyond diagnostics, it includes tools to search official Next.js documentation filtered by router type, automate browser interactions via Playwright, and run the official codemods needed to upgrade to Next.js 16. This eliminates the need to context-switch between docs, terminal, and browser when an AI coding assistant is helping you build or debug a Next.js application.
Prerequisites
- Node.js v20.19 or later
- A Next.js project (Next.js 16+ unlocks full runtime diagnostic tools)
- npm or pnpm for dependency management
- An MCP client: Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code Copilot, or Claude Desktop
Install via the add-mcp helper
The quickest way to register this server across all compatible MCP clients is the add-mcp utility, which auto-detects your installed clients and writes the correct config.
npx add-mcp next-devtools-mcp@latestOr register with Claude Code CLI
For Claude Code specifically, add the server as a user-scoped MCP entry so it is available in every project.
claude mcp add next-devtools npx next-devtools-mcp@latestOr add manually to claude_desktop_config.json
Open ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) and add the server under mcpServers.
{
"mcpServers": {
"next-devtools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "next-devtools-mcp@latest"]
}
}
}Start your Next.js dev server
Runtime diagnostics require an active Next.js development server. Open a terminal in your project root and start it before asking the AI to inspect errors or routes.
npm run devInitialize context at the start of each session
Ask your AI assistant to call the `init` tool first. This establishes documentation preferences and router context (App Router vs Pages Router) so subsequent answers are accurate.
Use runtime diagnostic and documentation tools
With context initialized, the AI can call nextjs_index to discover the running server, nextjs_call to read errors and routes, nextjs_docs to look up official docs, and browser_eval to interact with the running app via Playwright.
Next.js DevTools Examples
Client configuration
claude_desktop_config.json or .vscode/mcp.json entry for the Next.js DevTools MCP server.
{
"mcpServers": {
"next-devtools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "next-devtools-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"NEXT_TELEMETRY_DISABLED": "1"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Practical prompts that exercise the init, nextjs_docs, nextjs_index, nextjs_call, browser_eval, and upgrade_nextjs_16 tools.
- "Initialize Next.js context and tell me what router type my project uses"
- "Are there any runtime errors in my running Next.js app right now?"
- "List all the API routes and page routes in my application"
- "Search the Next.js docs for parallel routes in the App Router"
- "Help me upgrade this project to Next.js 16 using the official codemods"
- "Take a screenshot of my app at localhost:3000 and report any visual issues"Troubleshooting Next.js DevTools
The init tool returns an error about missing context
Ensure you are calling init from within a directory that contains a Next.js project (a package.json with a next dependency). The tool reads project metadata from the working directory.
nextjs_call returns 'no dev server found'
The dev server must be running before calling nextjs_call or nextjs_index. Run `npm run dev` in your project directory. The tool auto-discovers servers on common Next.js ports; if you use a custom port, ensure it's within the expected range.
upgrade_nextjs_16 fails midway through codemods
The upgrade tool runs official Next.js codemods which modify your source files. If it fails, check that you have no uncommitted changes that conflict with the codemods. Commit or stash your work first, then retry the upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions about Next.js DevTools
What is Next.js DevTools?
Next.js DevTools is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides specialized development tools and utilities for next.js, allowing ai agents to perform runtime diagnostics and access official documentation. it enables automated context initialization and real-time interaction with next.js development serv It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Next.js DevTools?
Install via npm with the command: npx -y next-devtools-mcp. Then add the server configuration to your AI client's JSON config file (e.g., claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json).
Which AI clients work with Next.js DevTools?
Next.js DevTools works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Next.js DevTools free to use?
Yes, Next.js DevTools is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up Next.js DevTools in Your Editor
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Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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