Context7 MCP Server: Up-to-Date Docs for AI Coding
Stop fighting hallucinated APIs and outdated code examples. Context7 MCP Server injects live, version-specific documentation directly into your AI assistant.
What is Context7 MCP Server?
Context7 MCP Server is a revolutionary documentation tool developed by Upstash that delivers up-to-date, version-specific documentation and code examples directly to AI-powered coding assistants. The Context7 MCP Server solves one of the most frustrating problems in AI-assisted development: hallucinated APIs and outdated code examples that waste developer time and break builds.
When you are working with modern frameworks like Next.js 15, React 19, or any rapidly evolving library, traditional Large Language Models often generate code based on outdated training data. This results in deprecated patterns, non-existent function calls, and APIs that have changed significantly since the model's knowledge cutoff date. Context7 MCP Server eliminates this problem by injecting live documentation directly into your AI assistant's context window.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that enables seamless integration between LLM applications and external data sources. Context7 leverages this protocol to provide a standardized way for AI coding tools like Cursor, VS Code with Copilot, Claude, and Windsurf to access current documentation. This means your AI assistant can now reference the exact documentation for the specific version of any library you are using.
The Problem Context7 MCP Solves
Every developer who has used AI coding assistants has experienced the frustration of hallucinated code. You ask Claude or ChatGPT to help you implement a feature using a popular library, and the code looks perfect until you try to run it. The function does not exist. The API has changed. The import path is wrong. You have just wasted 30 minutes debugging AI-generated code that was never going to work.
This happens because LLMs are trained on static datasets with knowledge cutoff dates. GPT-4's training data might include documentation from early 2024, but libraries like React, Next.js, and Tailwind release new versions constantly. By the time you are reading this, there have likely been dozens of breaking changes in popular frameworks that your AI assistant knows nothing about.
Context7 MCP Server fixes this fundamental limitation. Instead of relying on potentially outdated training data, Context7 fetches the actual, current documentation from official sources and injects it directly into your prompt. When you ask your AI assistant to help with Next.js, it now has access to the real Next.js 15 documentation, not a potentially outdated snapshot from its training data.
How Context7 MCP Server Works
The Context7 MCP Server operates as a bridge between your AI coding assistant and a vast database of indexed documentation. When you make a request that involves a library or framework, Context7 automatically retrieves the relevant documentation sections and includes them in the context that is sent to the LLM.
Here is the technical workflow:
- Request Detection: Context7 analyzes your prompt to identify which libraries or frameworks you are working with.
- Documentation Retrieval: The server queries its indexed documentation database, which contains over 9,000 libraries and frameworks.
- Smart Ranking: Context7 uses intelligent ranking algorithms to select the most relevant documentation sections.
- Context Injection: The retrieved documentation is injected into your prompt's context window before being sent to the LLM.
- Accurate Response: The LLM now generates code based on current, accurate documentation rather than outdated training data.
MCP servers like Context7 expose specific tools that clients can call. In Context7's case, the primary tools are:
- resolve-library-id: Takes a library name and returns a Context7-compatible library ID
- get-library-docs: Retrieves documentation for a specific library, with options for topic filtering and token limits
Key Features of Context7 MCP Server
9,000+ Libraries Indexed
Access documentation for over 9,000 popular libraries and frameworks, from React and Vue to Prisma and Tailwind CSS.
Real-Time Updates
Documentation is continuously updated to reflect the latest library versions. No more outdated code examples.
Version-Specific Docs
Get documentation for the exact version of the library you are using. Context7 understands version differences.
Universal MCP Compatibility
Works with any MCP-compatible client including Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Claude Desktop, and more.
Lightning Fast
Built on Upstash's edge infrastructure, Context7 delivers documentation with minimal latency.
Free Tier Available
Get started for free with generous rate limits. Perfect for individual developers and small teams.
How to Install Context7 MCP Server
Installing Context7 MCP Server is straightforward, regardless of which AI coding assistant you use.
Quick Start (Recommended)
The fastest way to get started with Context7 MCP is using the automatic installer:
npx @upstash/context7-mcp@latest initYou can also specify a target client:
# For Cursor
npx @upstash/context7-mcp@latest init --cursor
# For Claude Desktop
npx @upstash/context7-mcp@latest init --claude
# For VS Code
npx @upstash/context7-mcp@latest init --vscodeManual Configuration for Cursor
Add the following to your ~/.cursor/mcp.json file:
mcpServers.context7: command=npx, args=["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp@latest"]}
Getting Your API Key
While Context7 works without an API key, we recommend getting a free one for better performance:
- Visit context7.com/dashboard
- Create a free account or sign in
- Copy your API key from the dashboard
- Add it to your MCP configuration
Context7 MCP Server Integrations
Context7 for Cursor
Cursor is one of the most popular AI-powered code editors, and Context7 MCP Server integration makes it even more powerful. With Context7, Cursor's AI features can access real-time documentation, ensuring the code suggestions and generations are accurate and up-to-date.
To set up Context7 MCP in Cursor: Open Settings, navigate to MCP section, click Add new MCP server, paste the configuration, and restart Cursor.
Context7 for VS Code
Visual Studio Code users can enhance GitHub Copilot's capabilities by adding Context7 MCP Server. Install the MCP extension from the VS Code marketplace, add the Context7 configuration to settings.json, and reload VS Code.
Context7 for Claude Desktop
Claude Desktop supports MCP servers natively, making it easy to add Context7 to your Claude workflow. Use the automatic installer:
npx @upstash/context7-mcp@latest init --claudeContext7 for Windsurf
Windsurf also supports MCP integration. Context7 MCP Server works seamlessly with Windsurf to provide accurate documentation for all your development queries.
Context7 MCP Server Use Cases
Working with Rapidly Evolving Frameworks
Frameworks like Next.js, React, and Vue release new versions frequently, often with breaking changes. Context7 ensures your AI assistant has access to the exact documentation for the version you are using.
Learning New Libraries
When learning a new library, you want accurate examples that actually work. Context7 MCP Server ensures that when you ask your AI assistant to explain a library, the information is current and correct.
Debugging Library-Specific Issues
When debugging issues related to a specific library, having accurate documentation is crucial. Context7 helps your AI assistant understand the current behavior and API of libraries.
Reducing Development Time
By eliminating the back-and-forth of fixing hallucinated code, Context7 significantly reduces development time. Developers report that code generated with Context7 assistance works correctly on the first try much more often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Context7 MCP Server free to use?
Yes, Context7 offers a generous free tier suitable for individual developers. Paid plans are available for teams needing higher limits.
Which AI coding assistants does Context7 support?
Context7 supports any MCP-compatible client, including Cursor, VS Code with GitHub Copilot, Claude Desktop, Windsurf, and many others.
How many libraries does Context7 support?
Context7 currently indexes documentation for over 9,000 libraries and frameworks, covering most popular development tools.
How often is the documentation updated?
Context7's documentation index is continuously updated. When a library releases a new version, Context7 typically indexes the changes within days.
Can Context7 access my private code?
No, Context7 only accesses publicly available documentation from official sources. It does not have access to your private code or repositories.
Does Context7 work offline?
No, Context7 requires an internet connection to fetch documentation. However, retrieval is very fast due to edge infrastructure.
Ready to Stop Fighting Hallucinated Code?
Join thousands of developers using Context7 MCP Server to get accurate, up-to-date documentation in their AI coding workflow.
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