MCP-Grep

What is MCP-Grep?

MCP-Grep exposes system grep functionality through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing MCP-compatible clients to search file contents using regular expressions. It is designed for developers and LLM-based tools that need to inspect local files efficiently.

How to use MCP-Grep?

Install via pip install mcp-grep or automatically through Smithery. Start the server with the command mcp-grep-server, or use mcp-grep-inspector for an interactive web UI. Connect any MCP-compatible client to access the grep tool and the grep://info resource.

Key features of MCP-Grep

• Provides system binary info via the grep://info resource.
• Supports case‑insensitive matching, context lines, and recursion.
• Accepts natural language prompts for easier LLM interaction.
• Includes an interactive MCP Inspector for debugging.
• Enables fixed string (non‑regex) searches and match limits.

Use cases of MCP-Grep

• Search for error patterns in log files during debugging.
• Recursively find deprecated API usage across a project.
• Query codebases with natural language requests through an LLM.
• Test and refine grep queries interactively in a web UI.

FAQ from MCP-Grep

How do I install MCP-Grep?

Use pip install mcp-grep for manual installation, or run npx -y @smithery/cli install @erniebrodeur/mcp-grep --client claude to install via Smithery for Claude Desktop.

What commands start the server?

Run mcp-grep-server to start the MCP server, or mcp-grep-inspector to launch the interactive web‑based inspector.

What search options does the grep tool support?

It supports case‑insensitive matching, context lines before/after matches, maximum match count, fixed string matching, and recursive directory searching.

How can I use natural language prompts?

MCP-Grep accepts plain‑English requests like “Find ‘error’ in log.txt” or “Show 3 lines of context around ‘exception’.” The server interprets the intent and sets the correct grep parameters.

Does MCP-Grep require any external dependencies?

It uses the system’s grep binary and the mcp-grep Python package. No additional runtime or cloud service is needed.