How to add IDE Index MCP Server to Claude Desktop

JetBrains IDE plugin exposing an MCP server so AI agents can use the IDE's indexing and refactoring. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 254★ · http · no auth

Claude Desktop config for IDE Index MCP Server

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user intellij-index http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/streamable-http

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "ide-index-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/streamable-http"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop connects to remote servers through the `mcp-remote` proxy (installed on first run via npx). Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the IDE Index MCP Server config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm IDE Index MCP Server's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

JetBrains IDE 2025.1 or later (any IntelliJ Platform-based IDE)
JVM 21 or later
The IDE Index MCP Server plugin installed from JetBrains Marketplace (plugin 29174)
An MCP-compatible client supporting Streamable HTTP (MCP 2025-03-26), e.g. Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Windsurf

What IDE Index MCP Server can do in Claude Desktop

ide_find_references

Find all references to a symbol across the entire project.

ide_find_definition

Find the definition/declaration location of a symbol.

ide_find_class

Search for classes/interfaces by name with camelCase/substring/wildcard matching.

ide_find_file

Search for files by name using the IDE's file index.

ide_find_symbol

Search for symbols (classes, methods, fields, functions) by name with IntelliJ Go to Symbol matching (disabled by default).

ide_search_text

Text search using the IDE's pre-built word index with context filtering.

ide_diagnostics

Analyze file problems with fresh editor diagnostics for open files or batch diagnostics for closed files, plus optional build/test results.

ide_index_status

Check if the IDE is in dumb mode (indexing) or smart mode.

Security

The server binds to 127.0.0.1 by default and implements no authentication (it does not advertise auth capabilities). Changing Server Host to 0.0.0.0 exposes it for remote/WSL access without any auth, so restrict network access accordingly. Each JetBrains IDE uses a distinct default port to avoid conflicts when multiple IDEs run at once.

IDE Index MCP Server + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the IDE Index MCP Server config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is IDE Index MCP Server safe to use with Claude Desktop?

How do I connect Claude Code to it?

Run the install command (adjust name and port for your IDE), e.g. `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user intellij-index http://127.0.0.1:29170/index-mcp/streamable-http`. You can also use the plugin's 'Install on Coding Agents' button in the tool window.

What port does it use?

Each JetBrains IDE has a distinct default port and server name to avoid conflicts: IntelliJ IDEA 29170 (intellij-index), Android Studio 29171, PyCharm 29172, WebStorm 29173, GoLand 29174, PhpStorm 29175, RubyMine 29176, CLion 29177, RustRover 29178, DataGrip 29179. The port is changeable in Settings > Tools > Index MCP Server.

Does it require authentication?

No. The server binds to 127.0.0.1 by default and does not implement or advertise authentication. If you change the host to 0.0.0.0 for remote/WSL access, it remains unauthenticated, so restrict access at the network level.

View repo Full IDE Index MCP Server page