CKB MCP
CKB, the Code Knowledge Backend, turns a codebase into a queryable knowledge base: symbols, impact, owners, dead code and risks.
- 112 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
Extended access
Why this level
- Indexes the whole repository code and runs local commands.
- Secret scanning shows found values to the agent.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/ckbDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewExtended accessThe tool runs code or makes network calls and only reads external data.
- Indexes the whole repository code and runs local commands.
- Secret scanning shows found values to the agent.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
CKB indexes a repository and answers questions that usually take hours of reading: what breaks if a function changes, who should review, whether code is still used, which tests to run. The same capabilities are available through a CLI, an HTTP API and an MCP server for Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf and VS Code. Compound tools `explore`, `understand` and `prepareChange` replace call chains with a single query. Tool presets cut token use: the README claims an 83 percent reduction. `ckb audit` scans for leaked secrets with 26 patterns and `ckb hotspots` shows risky areas.
Who it is for. Developers of large repositories who need to assess change impact and find code owners with an agent.
Good fit when
- Before a refactor you want the blast radius of a change with a risk score.
- A pull request needs reviewer suggestions based on code ownership.
- Before deleting a module you look for dead code with a confidence level.
- CI runs only the affected tests.
- An unfamiliar project architecture is explored by queries rather than reading all the code.
Not a fit when
- The repository is small and plain code search is enough.
- You need free commercial use: organizations with USD 25,000 or more in annual revenue need a paid license.
- The project language has no indexer: check with `ckb doctor`.
Example request
Show what breaks if I change this method and suggest reviewers and tests to run.MCP
- Transport
- stdio, http
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
The license is non-standard (CKB Fair Use). It is free for personal non-commercial use, open source projects and organizations under USD 25,000 in annual revenue; others need a paid license. An indexer for the project language is needed, the list and known issues are on the Language Support page, and `ckb doctor --tier standard` shows what is missing. Risk and dead code estimates are probabilistic.
How to disable. Remove the `ckb` entry from `.mcp.json` or the client configuration, run `npm uninstall -g @tastehub/ckb` and delete the index in the project folder.
FAQ
How do I connect CKB to Claude Code?
Run `ckb setup`, which creates `.mcp.json`. Manually: `claude mcp add --transport stdio ckb -- npx @tastehub/ckb mcp`.
How does the paid license differ from the free one?
Free for personal non-commercial use, open source projects and organizations under USD 25,000 in annual revenue. Others need a paid license, see pricing at `codeknowledge.dev`.
How do I check that a language is supported?
Run `ckb doctor --tier standard`: it shows whether the needed indexers are installed.
How do I keep the index fresh?
Start the MCP server as `ckb mcp --watch`: it reindexes every 30 seconds when stale.
What does `ckb audit` cover?
It scans for leaked secrets and credentials with 26 patterns and flags security-sensitive code areas. Review the output by hand before sharing the report.
Discussion
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