nvim-mcp
An MCP server giving AI agents access to your running Neovim session through its native msgpack-RPC socket, with no plugins.
- 67 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
- MIT
Broad access
Why this level
- The agent gets full access to the running Neovim session and can run any Vim command and keystroke.
- Edits go to editor buffers and reach disk on save.
Install
- Works in
In your terminal, with SkillFoxx CLI
npx skillfoxx add mcp/nvim-mcpDetects the agents on your machine, shows the access level and pins the version.
Other ways to install
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- The agent gets full access to the running Neovim session and can run any Vim command and keystroke.
- Edits go to editor buffers and reach disk on save.
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
nvim-mcp connects an agent to a running Neovim. The agent sees what you see: editor mode, working directory, open buffers, window layout, cursor context, selections, marks and diagnostics. Edits go to in-memory buffers with full undo history, and nothing reaches disk until you save. The agent can run any Vim command (`:w`, `:e`, `:vsplit`, macros), send keystrokes, query LSP diagnostics for a buffer or the session and annotate code with colored highlights and virtual text without changing buffer content. The server discovers running instances itself and connects to the right one. It works with Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and any MCP client.
Who it is for. Neovim users who want to work with an agent inside their own editor and see its edits in the buffer.
Good fit when
- Buffers, selection and LSP diagnostics are read with no code pasted into chat.
- The agent result is visible in the buffer and gets reviewed before saving.
- Several Neovim instances run at once and the right one must be picked.
- Findings are flagged with highlights and inline notes in the code.
Not a fit when
- You need Windows or Neovim older than 0.11 with no extra setup; the main target is Linux and Neovim 0.11 or newer.
- You only need file edits on disk with no editor involvement.
- You need a narrow set of operations; the tool hands the agent any Vim command.
Example request
Read the LSP diagnostics of the open buffer and fix the first error directly in the buffer without saving the file.MCP
- Transport
- stdio
- Authentication
- not required
Environment variables
NVIM_ADDRESS- Neovim socket address for versions where auto-discovery does not work.
Limitations
The server targets Linux, Python 3.10 or newer and Neovim 0.11 or newer (older versions work with `--listen` and the `NVIM_ADDRESS` variable). Without an agent rules file the tools exist but the agent does not know when or how to use them: install rules from `config/AGENTS-EXAMPLE.md`. The agent gets full access to the Neovim session and can run any Vim command, so read the Working safely section before connecting.
How to disable. Remove the `nvim-mcp` entry from the client MCP configuration and the added agent rules.
FAQ
How do I connect nvim-mcp?
Add a server with the command `uvx` and the argument `nvim-mcp` to the MCP configuration, or run it through Nix with `nix run github:paulburgess1357/nvim-mcp`.
Is a Neovim plugin required?
No. The server connects through Neovim's native msgpack-RPC socket.
Why are agent rules needed?
Without them the agent has the tools but not when or how to use them, and behavior is unreliable.
What about several Neovim instances?
The server auto-discovers running sessions and connects to the right one. Details are in `docs/MULTIPLE_INSTANCES.md`.
Do edits reach disk immediately?
No, the file on disk stays unchanged until you save.
Discussion
No questions or reviews yet.
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README in short
The server launches through `uvx` or Nix, and the repository has full tool docs, configs for several clients, Cursor rules and a Cursor marketplace plugin.