MCP.so
Sign In

Pathmode

@pathmodeio

About Pathmode

Build structured intent specs through Socratic AI conversation (zero-config), or connect to your Pathmode workspace for strategic context, dependency graphs, and team governance. v1.5.0 ships with a Claude Code skill pack — 7 auto-triggering skills (compile-intent, grill-intent,

Config

Add this server to your MCP-compatible client using the configuration below.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pathmode": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@pathmode/mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Tools

22

Get the currently active intent, preferring approved intents with real objective/outcome content over empty stubs. Returns the full IntentSpec plus an evidenceSummary (how much user evidence backs it). Evidence is referenced by ID; pass include_evidence=true to inline the evidence content, or call get_agent_prompt for the full evidence-backed execution prompt.

List all intents in the workspace. Returns an array of IntentSpecs with their status, objectives, and metadata.

Get a single intent by ID with full details including objective, outcomes, constraints, edge cases, and relations. Evidence is referenced by ID; call get_agent_prompt for the full evidence-backed execution prompt.

Get the dependency graph for a specific intent. Shows what it depends on, enables, or blocks.

Search intents by keyword. Searches across user goals, objectives, outcomes, and constraints.

Analyze the intent dependency graph for risks and strategic insights. Returns critical path, cycles, bottlenecks, orphans, status mismatches, and stalled intents.

Export workspace context as a formatted file. Use "claude-md" for CLAUDE.md (full workspace context), "agents-md" for the same workspace context written for AGENTS.md (the native instruction file for OpenAI Codex and modern Cursor), "cursorrules" for Cursor AI rules, "intent-md" for a single intent specification file, or "outcome-rubric" for a Claude Managed Agents Outcomes rubric (writer description + evidence-forcing grader rubric) derived from the resolved intent, its implementation context, and the workspace constitution. claude-md and agents-md produce identical, agent-agnostic content (the difference is only the target filename). For cursorrules/intent-md/outcome-rubric, product context is always derived from the resolved intent. For claude-md/agents-md, pass productId to select a specific product, otherwise the first active product is used.

Write this workspace's canonical Pathmode context into the repo's CLAUDE.md (or AGENTS.md), idempotently — the round-trip. Pulls the latest from Pathmode and replaces the PATHMODE-marked section in place, so the repo's agent instructions never drift from the source of truth. Unlike export_context (which returns the text for you to read), this writes the file; re-running when nothing changed reports "no drift". Run it after the canonical context changes in Pathmode.

Get a formatted execution prompt for a specific intent. This is the full structured prompt including objective, outcomes, constraints, edge cases, and verification steps.

Get workspace details including strategy (vision, non-negotiables, architecture principles), active products, and constitution rules.

Get the workspace constitution rules. These are mandatory constraints that all implementations must respect.

Update the status of an intent. Use this to mark an intent as shipped after implementation, or verified after testing. For shipped/verified transitions, the response includes a verification checklist of outcomes, constitution rules, and health metrics that should be confirmed.

Record a technical decision or implementation note for an intent. Use this to document why you chose a specific approach.

Write a correction back to an intent when BUILDING it revealed the spec was wrong. Use this the moment you discover the spec assumed something the implementation contradicts — instead of only fixing it in your head or this chat, record it so the NEXT agent or person inherits the correction. This is the inverse of a decision: it closes the refinement loop so the same stale premise is not rebuilt. Open findings ride into future agent prompts until a human reconciles them into the spec.

Create a new intent spec in the workspace. Requires at minimum a title, objective, and productId. Returns the created intent with its ID. Use list_intents first to see existing intents and avoid duplicates.

Update an existing intent's content. Provide only the fields you want to change. Does NOT change intent status (use update_intent_status for that).

Search evidence items (friction points, user quotes, observations, metrics, feature requests) by product, type, severity, or text. Returns matching evidence with IDs that can be linked to intents.

Create a new evidence item (e.g., a discovered bug, user feedback quote, behavioral observation, or feature request). Evidence can later be linked to intents to support prioritization.

Link or unlink evidence items to/from an intent. Linking evidence to intents establishes traceability between user problems and planned solutions.

AI-grade your implementation against the intent spec. Checks each outcome, constraint, constitution rule, and edge case. Returns pass/fail per item with reasoning and an overall score. Also logs the result as an implementation note.

Save an intent spec to intent.md in the project root. Called after building a spec through conversation.

Export an intent spec as .cursorrules, a CLAUDE.md or AGENTS.md section, or a Claude Managed Agents Outcomes rubric for AI agent consumption. Use agents-md for Codex, Cursor, and other AGENTS.md-aware agents.

Overview

What is Pathmode?

Pathmode turns Claude Code into a Socratic product thinking partner. It challenges vague language, asks pointed questions, and builds a structured intent spec—objective, outcomes, edge cases, constraints—that downstream agents can implement.

How to use Pathmode?

Install via npx @pathmode/mcp-server and add the JSON config to your MCP client. Optionally run npx @pathmode/mcp-server install-skills to install 7 auto-triggering Claude Code skills. Set the PATHMODE_API_KEY environment variable to enable Team mode with workspace syncing.

Key features of Pathmode

  • Local mode: free, offline, no API key required
  • Team mode: syncs specs to a Pathmode workspace
  • Evidence anchoring and dependency graphs in Team mode
  • Constitution rules and cross-agent context in Team mode
  • 7 Claude Code skills that auto-trigger on natural-language requests

Use cases of Pathmode

  • Building structured intent specs for product problems
  • Stress-testing existing specs for weaknesses
  • Breaking specs into Linear, Jira, or GitHub Issues tickets
  • Reviewing code changes against the original intent
  • Capturing decisions at the end of a session via handoff

FAQ from Pathmode

What's the difference between Local and Team modes?

Local mode works without an API key, builds specs as intent.md files in your project root, and is free and offline. Team mode requires PATHMODE_API_KEY and adds workspace syncing, evidence anchoring, dependency graphs, constitution rules, and cross-agent context.

How do I install the skill pack?

Run npx @pathmode/mcp-server install-skills to install 7 skills that auto-trigger on natural-language requests.

What transport and auth does Pathmode use?

The server runs as a command-line MCP server via npx @pathmode/mcp-server. Local mode requires no authentication; Team mode uses a PATHMODE_API_KEY environment variable.

Where do my specs and data live?

In Local mode, specs are stored as intent.md files in your project root. In Team mode, specs sync to a Pathmode workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between Local and Team modes?

Local mode works without an API key, builds specs as `intent.md` files in your project root, and is free and offline. Team mode requires `PATHMODE_API_KEY` and adds workspace syncing, evidence anchoring, dependency graphs, constitution rules, and cross-agent context.

How do I install the skill pack?

Run `npx @pathmode/mcp-server install-skills` to install 7 skills that auto-trigger on natural-language requests.

What transport and auth does Pathmode use?

The server runs as a command-line MCP server via `npx @pathmode/mcp-server`. Local mode requires no authentication; Team mode uses a `PATHMODE_API_KEY` environment variable.

Where do my specs and data live?

In Local mode, specs are stored as `intent.md` files in your project root. In Team mode, specs sync to a Pathmode workspace.

Comments

More Developer Tools MCP servers