Neovim MCP Server
@bigcodegen
About Neovim MCP Server
Control Neovim using Model Context Protocol (MCP) and the official neovim/node-client JavaScript library
Config
Add this server to your MCP-compatible client using the configuration below.
{
"mcpServers": {
"MCP Neovim Server": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-neovim-server"
],
"env": {
"ALLOW_SHELL_COMMANDS": "true",
"NVIM_SOCKET_PATH": "/tmp/nvim"
}
}
}
}Tools
19Get buffer contents with line numbers
Execute Vim commands with optional shell command support
Get comprehensive Neovim status including cursor position, mode, marks, and registers
Edit buffer content using insert, replace, or replaceAll modes
Manage Neovim windows: split, close, and navigate between windows
Set named marks at specific positions in the buffer
Manage Neovim register contents
Create visual mode selections in the buffer
Switch between buffers by name or number
Save current buffer or save to specific filename
Open files into new buffers
Search within current buffer with regex support and options
Find and replace with global, case-insensitive, and confirm options
Project-wide search using vimgrep with quickfix list
Check Neovim connection health
Record, stop, and play Neovim macros
Manage Neovim tabs: create, close, and navigate between tabs
Manage code folding: create, open, close, and toggle folds
Navigate Neovim jump list: go back, forward, or list jumps
Overview
What is Neovim MCP Server?
Neovim MCP Server connects MCP clients like Claude Desktop to a running Neovim instance via a Unix socket. It uses Vim’s native text editing commands and the official neovim/node-client library to provide AI‑assisted code or general text editing. Designed for developers who want to pair an AI assistant directly with their Neovim session.
How to use Neovim MCP Server?
Start Neovim with a socket, e.g. nvim --listen /tmp/nvim. Then configure the MCP server in your MCP client (e.g. Claude Desktop) using the npx -y mcp-neovim-server command. Set the NVIM_SOCKET_PATH environment variable (default /tmp/nvim) and optionally ALLOW_SHELL_COMMANDS=true to enable shell commands via !. The server exposes 19 tools for editing, navigation, search, and window management.
Key features of Neovim MCP Server
- Connects to a running Neovim instance via a socket file
- Views and switches between open buffers
- Retrieves cursor position, mode, filename, marks, registers, and visual selections
- Runs arbitrary Vim commands and optional shell commands
- Edits text using insert, replace, or replaceAll modes
- Search and replace with regex support and project‑wide grep with quickfix integration
- Health monitoring and connection diagnostics
Use cases of Neovim MCP Server
- AI‑assisted code editing and refactoring within an existing Neovim session
- File navigation and buffer switching without leaving the MCP client
- Project‑wide search and replace with grep and regex
- Recording and playing back Vim macros via AI prompts
- Managing windows, tabs, folds, and jumps in Neovim remotely
FAQ from Neovim MCP Server
What are the limitations of Neovim MCP Server?
It may not interact well with complex Neovim configurations or plugins. Shell command execution is disabled by default for security. A socket connection is required—it won’t work with standard Vim.
How do I enable shell commands?
Set the environment variable ALLOW_SHELL_COMMANDS to 'true' in your MCP client configuration. Default is false.
What socket path does the server use?
By default it uses /tmp/nvim. Override this with the NVIM_SOCKET_PATH environment variable.
How do I install the server?
You can either download the DXT package from the releases page and drag it to Claude Desktop, or add the npx -y mcp-neovim-server command to your claude_desktop_config.json with the appropriate environment variables.
Does the server require any external runtime?
Yes, it runs via npx which requires Node.js. It uses the official neovim/node-client library to communicate with Neovim.
Frequently asked questions
What are the limitations of Neovim MCP Server?
It may not interact well with complex Neovim configurations or plugins. Shell command execution is disabled by default for security. A socket connection is required—it won’t work with standard Vim.
How do I enable shell commands?
Set the environment variable `ALLOW_SHELL_COMMANDS` to `'true'` in your MCP client configuration. Default is `false`.
What socket path does the server use?
By default it uses `/tmp/nvim`. Override this with the `NVIM_SOCKET_PATH` environment variable.
How do I install the server?
You can either download the DXT package from the releases page and drag it to Claude Desktop, or add the `npx -y mcp-neovim-server` command to your `claude_desktop_config.json` with the appropriate environment variables.
Does the server require any external runtime?
Yes, it runs via `npx` which requires Node.js. It uses the official neovim/node-client library to communicate with Neovim.
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