should-i-use
Token-efficient library docs MCP server.
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What it can do
- Pick Library: Given a coding task, recommend 1-3 libraries from the should-i-use index with one-line reasoning and an honest warning about the top pick. Use before installing anything.
- Should I Use: Honest verdict on a specific library: 4-axis scores with reasons, when to skip it, and maintenance signals (last push, weekly downloads).
- Alternatives: Curated alternatives to a library, each with a one-line "prefer it when" and a verdict if the alternative is also indexed.
What data it sees
Do you need an account
No: the server works without sign-in
Token-efficient library docs MCP server. Honest library recommendations for coding agents: what to install, what to skip, and how to use it, in 25-360 tokens per answer (hard-clamped at 500). 992 npm + PyPI libraries indexed, docs-grounded and validator-gated, top-50 install-verified. Audits your dependencies for unmaintained packages. A Context7 alternative that answers the question instead of dumping documentation — 4.8x fewer tokens in a 10-round random-sample benchmark.
Server tool list (6)
Raw names from tools/list. Only developers need these.
| pick_library | Given a coding task, recommend 1-3 libraries from the should-i-use index with one-line reasoning and an honest warning about the top pick. Use before installing anything. |
| should_i_use | Honest verdict on a specific library: 4-axis scores with reasons, when to skip it, and maintenance signals (last push, weekly downloads). |
| alternatives | Curated alternatives to a library, each with a one-line "prefer it when" and a verdict if the alternative is also indexed. |
| how_do_i | Return the 1-2 best code snippets for a task with a library, plus the gotcha for each. Snippets are correct for the indexed version. Far cheaper in tokens than a docs dump. |
| audit_dependencies | Audit a project's dependencies for unmaintained packages, unstable APIs, and documented reasons to switch. Pass the contents of package.json, requirements.txt, or pyproject.toml. Returns only the dependencies worth a decision, not a report on every line. Run this before working in an unfamiliar codebase. |
| docs_link | Official docs URL and GitHub repo for a library, one line each. Use when the clamped answers are not enough. |