Smart Code Search
Provides intelligent semantic code search using local AI embeddings, enabling natural language queries to find relevant code by meaning rather than exact keywords. Indexes codebases in the background with smart project detection and privacy-first loc
What is Smart Code Search?
Smart Code Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that allows AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and VS Code to provides intelligent semantic code search using local ai embeddings, enabling natural language queries to find relevant code by meaning rather than exact keywords. indexes codebases in the background ...
Provides intelligent semantic code search using local AI embeddings, enabling natural language queries to find relevant code by meaning rather than exact keywords. Indexes codebases in the background with smart project detection and privacy-first loc
This server falls under the Coding Agents category on MCPgee, the world's largest MCP server directory with 33,000+ servers.
Features
- Provides intelligent semantic code search using local AI emb
Use Cases
Maintainer
Works with
Installation
Manual Installation
npx smart-coding-mcpConfiguration
Configuration Details
claude_desktop_config.json
Performance
Response Metrics
Resource Usage
How to Set Up and Use Smart Code Search
Smart Coding MCP adds local semantic code search to your AI assistant by indexing your codebase with AI embeddings entirely on-device — no external API calls, no telemetry. Unlike keyword grep, it understands meaning, so queries like 'where do we validate user input?' find relevant code even when the word 'validate' doesn't appear verbatim. It supports six tools including semantic search, package version lookup across 20+ ecosystems, manual reindexing, cache reset, workspace switching, and health status checks — making it a privacy-first RAG layer for code.
Prerequisites
- Node.js 18 or higher installed (required for the embedding runtime)
- npm with global install permissions (npm install -g smart-coding-mcp)
- An absolute path to the project workspace you want to index
- An MCP-compatible client such as Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Claude Code
Install smart-coding-mcp globally
Install the package globally via npm so the smart-coding-mcp command is available on your PATH.
npm install -g smart-coding-mcpAdd to your MCP client configuration
Register the server in your MCP client config. Pass the absolute path to your project as the --workspace argument. The server will begin indexing your codebase in the background on startup.
{
"mcpServers": {
"smart-coding-mcp": {
"command": "smart-coding-mcp",
"args": ["--workspace", "/absolute/path/to/your/project"]
}
}
}Optionally configure environment variables
Tune the server's behavior with environment variables. Key variables include SMART_CODING_MAX_RESULTS (default 5), SMART_CODING_EMBEDDING_MODEL, SMART_CODING_DEVICE (cpu/webgpu/auto), and SMART_CODING_WATCH_FILES for auto-reindexing on file changes.
Restart your MCP client
Restart Claude Desktop or your MCP client to load the new server. The indexer uses progressive indexing — searches work immediately while background processing continues.
Verify indexing status
Ask your AI assistant to check the Smart Coding MCP server status to confirm indexing progress and model configuration.
Smart Code Search Examples
Client configuration
Claude Desktop configuration with optional environment variables for custom result limits and auto-watching.
{
"mcpServers": {
"smart-coding-mcp": {
"command": "smart-coding-mcp",
"args": ["--workspace", "/Users/you/projects/my-app"],
"env": {
"SMART_CODING_MAX_RESULTS": "10",
"SMART_CODING_WATCH_FILES": "true",
"SMART_CODING_DEVICE": "cpu"
}
}
}
}Prompts to try
Example natural-language code search queries that leverage semantic understanding rather than exact keyword matching.
- "How does authentication work in this codebase?"
- "Where do we handle user input validation?"
- "Find the code responsible for sending emails"
- "What's the latest version of react and express?"
- "Show me all error handling patterns used in this project"
- "Where are database queries constructed?"Troubleshooting Smart Code Search
Search returns no results right after startup
Smart Coding MCP uses progressive indexing — the embedding model needs time to process your codebase on first run. Check the server status tool for indexing progress. For large codebases this can take several minutes.
High CPU usage while the server is running
The indexer is deliberately throttled to 50% CPU by default. If you need to further reduce impact, lower SMART_CODING_CHUNK_SIZE or set SMART_CODING_WATCH_FILES to false. You can also trigger manual reindexing during off-hours instead.
Stale results after major code changes
Ask your AI assistant to trigger manual reindexing using the reindex tool, or set SMART_CODING_WATCH_FILES=true so the server auto-reindexes on file changes. You can also use the cache-reset tool to clear .smart-coding-cache/ and rebuild from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions about Smart Code Search
What is Smart Code Search?
Smart Code Search is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides intelligent semantic code search using local ai embeddings, enabling natural language queries to find relevant code by meaning rather than exact keywords. indexes codebases in the background with smart project detection and privacy-first loc It connects AI assistants to external tools and data sources through a standardized interface.
How do I install Smart Code Search?
Follow the installation instructions on the Smart Code Search GitHub repository. Clone the repo, install dependencies, and add the server config to your AI client.
Which AI clients work with Smart Code Search?
Smart Code Search works with all major MCP-compatible AI clients including Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code (GitHub Copilot), Windsurf, and Cline.
Is Smart Code Search free to use?
Yes, Smart Code Search is open source and available under the MIT License license. You can use it freely in both personal and commercial projects.
Smart Code Search Alternatives — Similar Coding Agents Servers
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Browse More Coding Agents MCP Servers
Explore all coding agents servers available in the MCPgee directory. Each server includes setup guides for Claude, Cursor, and VS Code.
Set Up Smart Code Search 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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