PaperDebugger
A Plugin-Based Multi-Agent System for In-Editor Academic Writing, Review, and Editing
What is PaperDebugger?
PaperDebugger is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to plugin-based multi-agent system for in-editor academic writing, review, and editing
A Plugin-Based Multi-Agent System for In-Editor Academic Writing, Review, and Editing
This server falls under the Coding Agents category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- A Plugin-Based Multi-Agent System for In-Editor Academic Wri
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx paperdebuggerConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use PaperDebugger
PaperDebugger is an AI-powered academic writing assistant built as a Chrome extension that integrates directly with Overleaf, letting researchers debug and improve LaTeX papers without leaving the editor. It uses a custom MCP-based multi-agent orchestration engine that simulates the full academic workflow — Research, Critique, and Revision — enabling reviewer-style critique, literature-grounded suggestions, and citation verification. Researchers working on conference papers or journal submissions use it to get structured feedback and one-click revisions inside their existing Overleaf projects.
Prerequisites
- Google Chrome browser (the extension is distributed via the Chrome Web Store)
- An active Overleaf account with at least one LaTeX project open
- An OpenAI API key (required by the backend for AI-powered suggestions)
- An MCP-compatible client if running the self-hosted XtraMCP orchestration engine
- Node.js 18+ and Go 1.24+ for self-hosting the backend
Install the Chrome extension
Visit the Chrome Web Store listing for PaperDebugger and click 'Add to Chrome'. The extension icon will appear in your browser toolbar once installed.
https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/paperdebugger/dfkedikhakpapbfcnbpmfhpklndgiaogOpen your Overleaf project
Navigate to overleaf.com and open any LaTeX project. The PaperDebugger panel icon appears in the top-left corner of the Overleaf editor once the extension is active.
Log in and start chatting
Click the PaperDebugger icon to open the side panel, then log in. You can immediately begin chatting with your LaTeX document — ask it to review a section, suggest improvements, or generate reviewer-style critique.
(Optional) Configure a custom backend endpoint
To use a self-hosted PaperDebugger backend, open the extension Settings and tap the version number five times to enable Developer Tools. Enter your backend URL in the 'Backend Endpoint' field and refresh the page.
Use Instant Insert to apply suggestions
When the AI returns a suggestion or revised passage, click the 'Instant Insert' button to place the content directly into your Overleaf project at the cursor position. The extension never modifies your project autonomously — all changes are user-triggered.
PaperDebugger Examples
Client configuration (self-hosted XtraMCP)
If you are running the PaperDebugger backend locally and want to connect via MCP, add the following to your Claude Desktop config. The backend must already be running on the configured port.
{
"mcpServers": {
"paperdebugger": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["paperdebugger"],
"env": {
"PAPERDEBUGGER_BACKEND_URL": "http://localhost:8080"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
These prompts work inside the PaperDebugger Overleaf panel to review and improve your paper.
- "Review the related work section and flag any missing citations or unsupported claims."
- "Critique my abstract from the perspective of an ICML reviewer."
- "Rewrite the introduction to be more concise while preserving all key contributions."
- "Check my methodology section for logical gaps and suggest how to address them."
- "Generate three alternative titles that better reflect the paper's core contribution."Troubleshooting PaperDebugger
PaperDebugger icon does not appear in Overleaf
Ensure the extension is enabled in chrome://extensions and that you are on an overleaf.com project page (not the dashboard). Try refreshing the page after confirming the extension is active.
Endpoint errors after configuring a custom backend URL
Use the 'Advanced Options' link at the bottom of the PaperDebugger login page to reconfigure the endpoint. Also verify the backend is running and reachable at the URL you entered, and that CORS is configured to allow requests from overleaf.com.
AI suggestions are generic and not grounded in my paper's content
PaperDebugger reads your project content via the Overleaf editor. Make sure you are logged in and that the extension has access to the current document. If using XtraMCP, verify the multi-agent Research step completed before Critique runs.
Frequently Asked Questions about PaperDebugger
What is PaperDebugger?
PaperDebugger is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that plugin-based multi-agent system for in-editor academic writing, review, and editing It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install PaperDebugger?
Follow the installation instructions on the PaperDebugger GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with PaperDebugger?
PaperDebugger works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is PaperDebugger free to use?
Yes, PaperDebugger is open source and available under the AGPL-3.0 license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
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Set Up PaperDebugger 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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