shacharsol/js-package-manager-mcp
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JavaScript Package Manager MCP Server is a comprehensive server for managing JavaScript packages across NPM, Yarn, and pnpm, providing AI assistants with tools to search, install, analyze, and manage JavaScript dependencies.
NPM Plus - JavaScript Package Manager for AI
๐ Production-ready MCP server for intelligent JavaScript package management
Works seamlessly with Claude, Windsurf, Cursor, VS Code, and any MCP-compatible AI editor.
๐ Latest Updates (v12.0.16)
โ ALL TOOLS NOW FULLY OPERATIONAL
- Enhanced Install Tools: Robust package installation with intelligent retry logic
- Fixed Directory Resolution: No more "Invalid project directory: /" errors
- Enhanced Vulnerability Checking: Now works reliably with graceful error handling
- Improved Package Installation: Better npm idealTree error handling with automatic retries
- Debug Tools: New debug_version tool for troubleshooting
- 100% Compatibility: All operations now work with both relative (
.
) and absolute paths
๐ Current Status: 16/16 tools fully functional with comprehensive error handling
๐ ๏ธ Available Tools (16/16 Fully Functional)
Tool | Status | Description | Works with . |
---|---|---|---|
search_packages | โ | Search npm registry with intelligent scoring | N/A |
package_info | โ | Get detailed package metadata and info | N/A |
check_bundle_size | โ | Analyze bundle size before installation | N/A |
download_stats | โ | View download statistics and trends | N/A |
check_license | โ | Check package license information | N/A |
dependency_tree | โ | Visualize dependency relationships | โ |
list_licenses | โ | List all project licenses | โ |
audit_dependencies | โ | Security vulnerability scanning | โ |
analyze_dependencies | โ | Detect circular deps & issues | โ |
check_outdated | โ | Find outdated packages | โ |
clean_cache | โ | Clean package manager cache | โ |
check_vulnerability | โ | Check specific package vulnerabilities | N/A |
install_packages | โ | Install packages with intelligent retry logic | โ |
update_packages | โ | Update packages to latest versions | โ |
remove_packages | โ | Remove packages from project | โ |
debug_version | โ | Debug server version and status | N/A |
๐ฏ Key Improvements in v12.0.16
โ
All 16 Tools Fully Operational: Complete functionality across all package management operations
โ
Robust Installation: Intelligent retry logic with automatic recovery from npm errors
โ
Fixed Directory Resolution: All tools now properly handle relative paths (.
)
โ
Enhanced Error Handling: Clear, actionable error messages with recovery suggestions
โ
Automatic Retries: Intelligent retry logic for npm idealTree and other transient errors
โ
Graceful Degradation: Tools continue to work even when external APIs are unavailable
โจ Features
๐ Smart Package Discovery
- Search npm registry with intelligent relevance scoring
- View detailed package metadata, keywords, and maintainers
- Pagination support for comprehensive results
๐ฆ Intelligent Package Management
- Install, update, and remove packages across NPM, Yarn, and pnpm
- Support for dev dependencies, global packages, and version constraints
- Automatic package manager detection with retry logic
๐ Security & Compliance
- Real-time vulnerability scanning with fallback mechanisms
- Automated security fix suggestions and implementation
- License compliance tracking and analysis
๐ Advanced Analytics
- Bundle size analysis before installation
- Dependency tree visualization with circular dependency detection
- Download statistics and popularity metrics
- Orphaned file detection
๐ Quick Start
Using Hosted Service (Recommended)
The easiest way to get started:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"transport": "http",
"url": "https://api.npmplus.dev/mcp"
}
}
}
Self-Hosting (Advanced)
For customization or private deployment:
git clone https://github.com/shacharsol/js-package-manager-mcp.git
cd js-package-manager-mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm start
For web deployment (Netlify, Vercel, etc.):
# Run the automated setup script
./deployment/setup-deployment.sh
# Customize the deployment URLs
nano scripts/test-deployment.sh
# Deploy to your own infrastructure
npm run deploy:netlify
๐ Security Note: The production service at
api.npmplus.dev
has automatic deployments disabled. Only the maintainer can deploy to production usingnpm run deploy:production
.
See for detailed deployment instructions.
๐ ๏ธ Editor Setup
๐ค Claude Desktop
Configuration File Location:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Add this configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"transport": "http",
"url": "https://api.npmplus.dev/mcp"
}
}
}
How to use:
- Just ask naturally: "Search for React testing libraries"
- Claude automatically detects and uses MCP tools
- Look for tool use blocks in responses
Test: "What's the current version of React?"
๐ Windsurf
For hosted version, create mcp_config.json
in your project root:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"serverUrl": "https://api.npmplus.dev/mcp"
}
}
}
For npx installation (Recommended for local):
{
"mcp": {
"servers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"npmplus-mcp-server"
],
"disabled": false
}
}
}
}
For local development:
{
"mcp": {
"servers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": [
"./dist/index.js"
],
"cwd": "./",
"disabled": false
}
}
}
}
How to use:
- Natural language: "Install express and cors packages"
- Cascade mode: "Update all packages and fix breaking changes"
- Look for "๐ง Using npmplus-mcp" in activity bar
Test: "Show me popular authentication libraries"
See
๐ฏ Cursor
NPX Installation (Recommended for Cursor) Add to your Cursor MCP configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npmplus-mcp-server"]
}
}
}
โ ๏ธ Cursor-Specific Notes:
- Use NPX installation only - HTTP transport not supported reliably
- Requires explicit prompts in non-agent mode: "Use npmplus-mcp to..."
- Agent mode increases auto-detection of MCP usage
- HTTP transport: Currently experimental and may cause "Loading tools" issues
Method 3: .cursorrules File
# NPM Plus MCP Integration
This project uses NPM Plus (https://api.npmplus.dev/mcp) for AI-powered package management.
Available features:
- Package search and installation
- Security vulnerability scanning
- Bundle size analysis
- Dependency management
How to use:
- Chat: "Search for testing frameworks"
- Composer (Cmd+K): "Find React animation libraries"
- Explicit: "Use npmplus-mcp to check bundle sizes"
- Look for tool usage in sidebar
Test: "What's the bundle size of lodash?"
See
๐ VS Code + ๐งฌ Cline
Prerequisites:
- VS Code (version 1.102 or later for full MCP support)
- Node.js installed
- Cline extension by saoudrizwan
Setup Steps:
-
Install Cline Extension
- Open VS Code Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
- Search for "Cline" by saoudrizwan
- Install and reload VS Code
-
Configure AI Model
- Click Cline icon in Activity Bar
- Sign in at app.cline.bot
- Configure your AI model (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.)
-
Add NPM Plus MCP Server
Method 1: Automatic Setup (Recommended)
In Cline chat: "add a tool for JavaScript package management using npmplus-mcp-server"
Cline will automatically configure the MCP server for you.
Method 2: Manual Cline Configuration
Click "MCP Servers" โ "Configure MCP Servers" โ Add to cline_mcp_settings.json
:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npmplus-mcp-server"]
}
}
}
Method 3: VS Code Native MCP
Create .vscode/mcp.json
or use Command Palette: "MCP: Add Server":
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npmplus-mcp-server"]
}
}
}
Usage:
- Tools appear automatically in Cline's agent mode
- Use explicit prompts: "Use npmplus-mcp to search for react packages"
- Example: "Use the package manager tool to find Express middleware"
Troubleshooting:
- Check server status in Cline's "Installed" servers tab
- Use restart button next to MCP server if needed
- Click "Show Output" to view server logs
- Adjust timeout settings (30 seconds to 1 hour) if connection issues occur
Security Notes:
- MCP servers run with your local permissions
- Only install servers from trusted sources
- Review configuration before enabling servers
๐ง Available Tools
Tool | Description | Use Case |
---|---|---|
search_packages | Search npm registry with advanced filtering | Find packages by functionality |
package_info | Get comprehensive package metadata | Research before installation |
install_packages | Install with dev/global options | Add dependencies |
update_packages | Update to latest versions | Maintenance |
remove_packages | Clean removal of packages | Cleanup |
audit_dependencies | Security vulnerability scanning | Security |
check_bundle_size | Analyze package size impact | Performance |
dependency_tree | Visualize dependency relationships | Architecture |
list_licenses | License compliance analysis | Legal |
analyze_dependencies | Detect circular deps and orphans | Code quality |
๐ก Usage Examples
Security-focused:
"Check if lodash has any security vulnerabilities"
"Audit all dependencies and suggest fixes"
"Find packages with MIT licenses only"
Performance-focused:
"What's the bundle size impact of adding moment.js?"
"Show me lightweight alternatives to lodash"
"Find circular dependencies in my project"
Development workflow:
"Install typescript as a dev dependency"
"Update all outdated packages"
"Search for React form validation libraries"
๐๏ธ Self-Hosting (Advanced)
For enterprise or custom deployments:
git clone https://github.com/shacharsol/js-package-manager-mcp.git
cd js-package-manager-mcp
npm install
npm run build
npm start
Via npx (Recommended):
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "npmplus-mcp-server"]
}
}
}
Local development:
{
"mcpServers": {
"npmplus-mcp": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["./dist/index.js"],
"cwd": "/path/to/js-package-manager-mcp"
}
}
}
๐งช Testing & Validation
# Test deployment health
npm run test:deployment
# Run unit tests
npm test
# Development mode
npm run dev
๐ Version Management & Publishing
# Bump version only (patch/minor/major)
npm run bump
# Full production deployment (maintainer only)
# - Interactive version bumping
# - Automated npm publishing
# - Git tagging and pushing
# - Netlify deployment
# - Endpoint testing
npm run deploy:production
Production deployment includes:
- โ Prerequisites check (npm login, netlify login, clean git)
- ๐ฆ Interactive version bumping (patch/minor/major)
- ๐งช Automated testing
- ๐ค NPM package publishing
- ๐ท๏ธ Git tagging and pushing
- ๐ Netlify deployment
- ๐ Endpoint health checks
๐๏ธ Architecture
Built with modern tools:
- TypeScript - Type safety and developer experience
- MCP SDK - Official Model Context Protocol implementation
- Zod - Runtime type validation and parsing
- Execa - Secure subprocess execution
- Pacote - Official npm registry client
- Node-cache - Intelligent response caching
Performance optimizations:
- โก Intelligent caching with configurable TTLs
- ๐ฏ Rate limiting to prevent API throttling
- ๐ฆ Parallel operations for batch processing
- ๐ชถ Optimized responses for AI context windows
๐ Security
- โ Isolated subprocess execution
- โ Input validation prevents injection attacks
- โ Official vulnerability databases only
- โ No credential storage or sensitive data handling
- โ CORS-enabled for secure web integration
๐ค Contributing
We welcome contributions! Please see our .
- Fork the repository
- Create a feature branch (
git checkout -b feature/amazing-feature
) - Add tests for new functionality
- Commit changes (
git commit -m 'Add amazing feature'
) - Push to branch (
git push origin feature/amazing-feature
) - Open a Pull Request
๐ Analytics & Monitoring
NPM Plus includes optional analytics for self-hosted deployments:
Analytics Features:
- ๐ Basic tracking - Console logging for debugging and monitoring
- ๐ง Tool usage - Track which MCP tools are being used
- ๐ Performance metrics - Response times and success rates
- ๐ Privacy-first - Minimal data collection, IP hashing
- โ๏ธ Configurable - Enable via environment variables
Enable Analytics (Optional)
For self-hosted deployments, you can enable analytics logging:
# Enable analytics logging
ENABLE_ANALYTICS=true
ANALYTICS_SALT=your-random-salt
Analytics data will be logged to console output for monitoring and debugging.
๐ง Troubleshooting & Known Issues
โ All Issues Resolved (v12.0.16)
All major issues have been resolved in the latest version:
Issue | Status | Solution |
---|---|---|
Directory resolution errors | โ FIXED | Proper handling of relative paths (. ) |
Vulnerability check failures | โ FIXED | Enhanced error handling with fallbacks |
npm idealTree errors | โ FIXED | Automatic retry logic with cleanup |
Package installation failures | โ FIXED | Robust retry mechanism with recovery |
All tools operational | โ COMPLETE | 16/16 tools fully functional |
๐ ๏ธ Common Solutions
1. npm idealTree Error
# If you see: "Tracker 'idealTree' already exists"
# Solution 1: Use the clean cache tool
"Clean the npm cache first"
# Solution 2: Manual cleanup (if needed)
npm cache clean --force
# Solution 3: Restart Claude Desktop to reset MCP connection
2. Directory Resolution Issues
# Problem: "Invalid project directory: /"
# โ
SOLVED - all tools now work with relative paths
"Install lodash in the current directory" # Works correctly now
3. Vulnerability Check Not Working
# โ
SOLVED - now provides graceful fallback
"Check vulnerabilities for express@4.17.0" # Works with helpful information
๐ Debug Tools
Use the debug tool to check server status:
"Run debug_version tool"
This will show:
- Current version running
- Server uptime and status
- Working directory
- Environment details
๐ Testing Commands
Verify everything is working:
# Quick production test
npm run test:production
# Comprehensive feature test
npm run test:comprehensive
# Test specific issues that were fixed
npm run test:issues
๐ Getting Help
If you encounter issues:
- Check Version: Use
debug_version
tool to confirm you're running v12.0.16+ - Restart: Restart Claude Desktop to pick up latest version
- Clear Cache: Try
clean_cache
tool first - Check Logs: Look for
[npmplus-mcp]
messages in console - Report: Open issue at GitHub Issues
Include in bug reports:
- Version from
debug_version
output - Exact error message
- Steps to reproduce
- Operating system
๐ Version Update Process
To ensure you're running the latest version:
For Hosted Service Users:
- Updates are automatic
- Restart Claude Desktop to refresh connection
For Self-Hosted Users:
# Update to latest version
npm update npmplus-mcp-server
# Or reinstall
npm uninstall -g npmplus-mcp-server
npm install -g npmplus-mcp-server@latest
๐ License
MIT License - see for details.
๐โโ๏ธ About
Created with โค๏ธ by Shachar Solomon in 2025.
Star this repo if NPM Plus helps your AI development workflow!
Built with โค๏ธ for the open source community