MCP Steroid
The devrig CLI links Claude Code, Codex and Gemini to a running JetBrains IDE: refactorings, debugger, tests and screenshots.
- 82 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- Apache-2.0
Broad access
Why this level
- The agent runs Kotlin code inside the IDE JVM and drives its interface with keyboard and mouse input.
- The installer runs through `curl | sh`, and the plugin gets access to all open IDE projects.
Install
- Works in
Manual install
curl -fsSL https://devrig.dev/install.sh | shThe first install command from the README for macOS and Linux. On Windows use `irm https://devrig.dev/install.ps1 | iex`.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- The agent runs Kotlin code inside the IDE JVM and drives its interface with keyboard and mouse input.
- The installer runs through `curl | sh`, and the plugin gets access to all open IDE projects.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
MCP Steroid is a JetBrains IDE plugin that exposes the actions of the IDE itself to an agent over the Model Context Protocol: typed refactorings, inspections, the debugger and test runs. You install the `devrig` CLI: it ships its own runtime, registers itself with the agent and bridges calls to the IDE with no manual MCP wiring. A single `devrig` process links to all running IntelliJ-family IDEs at once and can download and start more. The agent gets eight tools: Kotlin code execution inside the IDE JVM (`steroid_execute_code`), screenshots with component metadata, keyboard and mouse input, project and window lists, project opening, reference resources and execution feedback. Check the connection with `claude -p "List all open projects using steroid_list_projects"`.
Who it is for. Developers on IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, GoLand, WebStorm, Rider, CLion or Android Studio who want to give an agent IDE capabilities instead of file-only work.
Good fit when
- An agent must rename a symbol through an IDE refactoring instead of a text edit.
- A test fails and the agent runs the debugger and inspects state in the IDE.
- Several projects are open in different IDEs and one bridge links the agent to them.
- An agent must see the IDE screen and press the needed elements itself.
Not a fit when
- You work without a JetBrains IDE: the plugin lives inside a running IDE.
- An agent must not run arbitrary code: `steroid_execute_code` runs Kotlin with access to the whole platform API.
- A server with no display and no Xvfb: a regular IDE needs a real screen.
Example request
Open the project in IntelliJ, run the rename refactoring for the `OrderService` class through mcp-steroid and run the related tests.MCP
- Transport
- stdio, http
- Authentication
- not required
Limitations
A JetBrains IDE with a graphical window is required: regular on macOS and Windows, under Xvfb on Linux and CI, and plain headless mode is unsupported. The agent runs Kotlin code inside the IDE JVM and drives its interface, so trust only vetted agents and projects. The installer runs with `curl -fsSL https://devrig.dev/install.sh | sh`: read it first. The plugin installs with a confirmation in the window of each IDE, and the agent registration goes into the user config. The address `http://127.0.0.1:6315/mcp` serves the server directly.
How to disable. Disconnect the server with an agent command (for Claude Code `claude mcp remove mcp-steroid`) and uninstall the plugin in the IDE settings. The CLI lives in `~/.mcp-steroid` and can be deleted by hand.
FAQ
How do I install MCP Steroid?
Install the CLI with `curl -fsSL https://devrig.dev/install.sh | sh`, register the agent through `devrig install claude`, `devrig install codex` or `devrig install gemini`, then run `devrig install plugin`.
What does devrig do?
It is a CLI with its own runtime: it registers in the agent as the `mcp-steroid` MCP server and bridges calls to one or more running IDEs.
Which tools does the agent get?
Eight: code execution, execution feedback, resource fetching, an IDE screenshot, input, a project list, a window list and project opening.
How do I verify the connection?
Ask the agent to run `steroid_list_projects`, for example `claude -p "List all open projects using steroid_list_projects"`. The plugin writes connection details to `.idea/mcp-steroid.md`.
Do I need an IDE on a clean machine?
The agent can find the download catalog with `devrig backend download --json`, install IDEA Ultimate and open a project with `steroid_open_project`.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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Comparison with similar tools
Cards that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Tool | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MCP Steroid (this card) | yes | not required | 82 | |
| Serena | no | not required | 31,335 | an MCP server with symbol search and edits through LSP or JetBrains; MCP Steroid runs code inside the IDE itself and adds the debugger, tests and screenshots |
| JetBrains Skills | no | 393 | a JetBrains skill collection on Kotlin, Spring and deployment; MCP Steroid connects the agent to a running IDE |
README in short
The README explains that you install devrig while MCP Steroid works as the IDE plugin. Then come a three-step install, a connection check, the list of eight tools and measurements against a plain shell.