IDE Index MCP Server

A JetBrains IDE plugin that exposes an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server, enabling AI coding assistants like Claude, Codex, Cursor, and Windsurf to leverage the IDE's powerful indexing and refactoring capabilities.

Fully tested: IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, RustRover, Android Studio, PhpStorm May work (untested): RubyMine, CLion, DataGrip

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IDE Index MCP Server provides AI coding assistants with access to the IDE's powerful code intelligence features through the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

Features

Multi-Language Support Advanced tools work across multiple languages based on available plugins:

• Java & Kotlin - IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio
• Python - PyCharm (all editions), IntelliJ with Python plugin
• JavaScript & TypeScript - WebStorm, IntelliJ Ultimate, PhpStorm
• Go - GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate with Go plugin
• Rust - RustRover, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate with Rust plugin, CLion

Universal Tools (All JetBrains IDEs)

• Find References - Locate all usages of any symbol across the project
• Go to Definition - Navigate to symbol declarations
• Code Diagnostics - Access errors, warnings, and quick fixes
• Index Status - Check if code intelligence is ready

Extended Tools (Language-Aware) These tools activate based on installed language plugins:

• Type Hierarchy - Explore class inheritance chains
• Call Hierarchy - Trace method/function call relationships
• Find Implementations - Discover interface/abstract implementations
• Symbol Search - Find by name with fuzzy/camelCase matching
• Find Super Methods - Navigate method override hierarchies

Refactoring Tools

• Rename Refactoring - Safe renaming with automatic related element renaming (getters/setters, overriding methods) - works across ALL languages, fully headless
• Safe Delete - Remove code with usage checking (Java/Kotlin only)

Why Use This Plugin?

Unlike simple text-based code analysis, this plugin gives AI assistants access to:

• True semantic understanding through the IDE's AST and index
• Cross-project reference resolution that works across files and modules
• Multi-language support - automatically detects and uses language-specific handlers
• Safe refactoring operations with automatic reference updates and undo support

Perfect for AI-assisted development workflows where accuracy and safety matter.

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Table of Contents

• Installation
• Quick Start
• Client Configuration
• Available Tools
• Multi-Project Support
• Tool Window
• Error Codes
• Requirements
• Contributing

Installation

Using the IDE built-in plugin system

<kbd>Settings/Preferences</kbd> > <kbd>Plugins</kbd> > <kbd>Marketplace</kbd> > <kbd>Search for "IDE Index MCP Server"</kbd> > <kbd>Install</kbd>

Using JetBrains Marketplace

Go to JetBrains Marketplace and install it by clicking the <kbd>Install to ...</kbd> button.

Manual Installation

Download the latest release and install it manually: <kbd>Settings/Preferences</kbd> > <kbd>Plugins</kbd> > <kbd>⚙️</kbd> > <kbd>Install plugin from disk...</kbd>

Quick Start

1. Install the plugin and restart your JetBrains IDE
2. Open a project - the MCP server starts automatically with IDE-specific defaults:
   • IntelliJ IDEA: intellij-index on port 29170
   • PyCharm: pycharm-index on port 29172
   • WebStorm: webstorm-index on port 29173
   • Other IDEs: See IDE-Specific Defaults
3. Configure your AI assistant using the "Install on Coding Agents" button (easiest) or manually
4. Use the tool window (bottom panel: "Index MCP Server") to copy configuration or monitor commands
5. Change port (optional): Click "Change port, disable tools" in the toolbar or go to <kbd>Settings</kbd> > <kbd>Tools</kbd> > <kbd>Index MCP Server</kbd>

Using the "Install on Coding Agents" Button

The easiest way to configure your AI assistant:

1. Open the "Index MCP Server" tool window (bottom panel)
2. Click the prominent "Install on Coding Agents" button on the right side of the toolbar
3. A popup appears with two sections:
   • Install Now - For Claude Code CLI and Codex CLI: Runs the installation command automatically
   • Copy Configuration - For other clients: Copies the JSON config to your clipboard
4. For "Copy Configuration" clients, paste the config into the appropriate config file

Client Configuration

Claude Code (CLI)

Use the "Install on Coding Agents" button in the tool window, or run this command (adjust name and port for your IDE):

# IntelliJ IDEA
claude mcp add --transport http intellij-index http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/sse --scope user

# PyCharm
claude mcp add --transport http pycharm-index http://127.0.0.1:29172/index-mcp/sse --scope user

# WebStorm
claude mcp add --transport http webstorm-index http://127.0.0.1:29173/index-mcp/sse --scope user

Options:

• --scope user - Adds globally for all projects
• --scope project - Adds to current project only

To remove: claude mcp remove <server-name> (e.g., claude mcp remove intellij-index)

Codex CLI

Use the "Install on Coding Agents" button in the tool window, or run this command (adjust name and port for your IDE):

# IntelliJ IDEA
codex mcp add --transport sse intellij-index http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/sse

# PyCharm
codex mcp add --transport sse pycharm-index http://127.0.0.1:29172/index-mcp/sse

# WebStorm
codex mcp add --transport sse webstorm-index http://127.0.0.1:29173/index-mcp/sse

To remove: codex mcp remove <server-name> (e.g., codex mcp remove intellij-index)

Cursor

Add to .cursor/mcp.json in your project root or ~/.cursor/mcp.json globally (adjust name and port for your IDE):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "intellij-index": {
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/sse"
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json (adjust name and port for your IDE):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "intellij-index": {
      "serverUrl": "http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/sse"
    }
  }
}

VS Code (Generic MCP)

{
  "mcp.servers": {
    "intellij-index": {
      "transport": "sse",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/sse"
    }
  }
}

Note: Replace the server name and port with your IDE's defaults. See IDE-Specific Defaults below.

IDE-Specific Defaults

Each JetBrains IDE has a unique default port and server name to allow running multiple IDEs simultaneously without conflicts:

Tip: Use the "Install on Coding Agents" button in the tool window - it automatically uses the correct server name and port for your IDE.

Available Tools

The plugin provides MCP tools organized by availability:

Universal Tools

These tools work in all supported JetBrains IDEs.

Extended Tools (Language-Aware)

These tools activate based on available language plugins:

Refactoring Tools

Note: Refactoring tools modify source files. All changes support undo via <kbd>Ctrl/Cm

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