nvim-mcp
๐ ๐ ๐ง - MCP server providing AI assistants with full control of Neovim instances v
What is nvim-mcp?
nvim-mcp is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to ๐ ๐ ๐ง - mcp server providing ai assistants with full control of neovim instances v
๐ ๐ ๐ง - MCP server providing AI assistants with full control of Neovim instances v
This server falls under the Developer Tools category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- MCP protocol support
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx nvimConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use nvim-mcp
nvim-mcp is an MCP server that gives AI assistants full programmatic control over running Neovim instances via Neovim's native msgpack-RPC socket. It exposes the editor's current state โ open buffers, cursor position, window layout, diagnostics, folds, marks, and selections โ and provides tools to edit buffers, run Vim commands, send keystrokes, query LSP diagnostics, and annotate code with highlights. Developers use it to let AI coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor directly operate inside their Neovim workflow without leaving the editor.
Prerequisites
- Linux operating system (the server targets Linux)
- Python 3.10 or higher
- Neovim 0.11 or higher (for msgpack-RPC socket support)
- uv package manager (recommended) or Nix with flakes enabled
- An MCP-compatible client such as Cursor, Claude Code, or Codex
Install the uv launcher
Install the uv package manager, which is the recommended way to run nvim-mcp without a manual Python environment setup.
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | shEnsure Neovim 0.11+ is running
nvim-mcp connects to Neovim via the msgpack-RPC socket. Start Neovim normally โ the server will discover and connect to the running instance automatically.
nvim --versionConfigure your MCP client with uvx
Add nvim-mcp to your MCP client configuration using uvx. No API keys or additional environment variables are required โ the server connects to Neovim's socket directly.
Alternative: install via Nix
If you use Nix with flakes enabled, you can run nvim-mcp directly from the GitHub flake without any local installation.
Test the connection
With Neovim running and your MCP client connected, ask the AI to describe what file you are currently editing. The server should return the active buffer name, cursor position, and diagnostics.
nvim-mcp Examples
Client configuration
Add this to your MCP client config (e.g. .cursor/mcp.json or claude_desktop_config.json) to connect to nvim-mcp via uvx.
{
"mcpServers": {
"nvim-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["nvim-mcp"]
}
}
}Prompts to try
These prompts guide the AI to use nvim-mcp tools to inspect and modify your live Neovim session.
- "What file am I currently editing and where is my cursor?"
- "Highlight the function my cursor is inside"
- "Are there any LSP diagnostics in the current buffer? Show me the errors."
- "Add a docstring above the function at my cursor, then show me the diff"
- "Open a vertical split, write a unit test for the selected function, and save both files"Troubleshooting nvim-mcp
Server cannot connect to Neovim socket
Make sure Neovim 0.11 or higher is actually running when the MCP server starts. The server discovers the socket automatically, but Neovim must be open. Check that NVIM environment variable or the socket path is accessible.
uvx command not found after installation
After installing uv, restart your shell or run 'source ~/.bashrc' (or ~/.zshrc) to reload the PATH. Verify with 'which uvx'.
LSP diagnostics tool returns no results
Ensure a language server is attached to the current buffer in Neovim. Run ':LspInfo' inside Neovim to confirm an LSP client is active for the file type.
Frequently Asked Questions about nvim-mcp
What is nvim-mcp?
nvim-mcp is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that ๐ ๐ ๐ง - mcp server providing ai assistants with full control of neovim instances v It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install nvim-mcp?
Follow the installation instructions on the nvim-mcp GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with nvim-mcp?
nvim-mcp works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is nvim-mcp free to use?
Yes, nvim-mcp 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 nvim-mcp in Your Editor
Choose your AI client for step-by-step setup instructions.
Quick Config Preview
Add this to your claude_desktop_config.json or .cursor/mcp.json
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