JetBrains MCP Server for Claude

Content

JetBrains MCP Server lets Claude and other MCP-capable clients work with an open JetBrains IDE project through the IDE itself. Starting with JetBrains IDE version 2025.2, the MCP Server plugin is bundled into IntelliJ-based IDEs and can be enabled from Settings | Tools | MCP Server. The older @jetbrains/mcp-proxy package remains useful as a stdio compatibility bridge, but JetBrains now points users to the built-in IDE workflow as the primary setup path.

This is most useful when Claude needs project-aware IDE context rather than plain filesystem access. The server can expose tools for inspections, build feedback, symbol lookup, file edits, run configurations, terminal commands, debugger sessions, and database tools depending on the IDE, installed plugins, and the user's exposed-tool settings.

Features

• Official JetBrains MCP support bundled into IntelliJ-based IDEs starting with version 2025.2.
• Client auto-configuration for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, VS Code, Windsurf, and other supported clients from the IDE settings screen.
• Manual client configuration for SSE, stdio, and HTTP Stream transports.
• Project analysis tools for builds, file problems, dependencies, modules, and IDE inspections.
• Code insight tools for symbol information, code navigation, and project-aware context.
• File and editing tools for modifying project files through the open IDE.
• Run configuration and terminal tools for supervised execution workflows.
• Debugger toolset support for stepping, stack inspection, frame values, expression evaluation, breakpoints, and runtime state when the debugger plugin is available.
• Optional database tools through JetBrains database plugins, including connection inspection, schema metadata, recent queries, table previews, and SQL execution.
• Per-tool exposure controls under Settings | Tools | MCP Server | Exposed Tools.
• Optional command execution without confirmation for trusted local workflows that intentionally need unattended runs.

Use Cases

• Ask Claude to inspect IDE diagnostics before making a code change.
• Build a project or compile selected files after edits and return the IDE's error and warning output.
• Navigate symbols, dependencies, modules, and project structure without flattening the task into shell-only file search.
• Apply small project edits through an IDE-aware workflow, then re-run build or inspection tools.
• Debug a failing test by combining breakpoints, stack frames, local variables, and expression evaluation with Claude's reasoning.
• Review database schemas or sample rows from a JetBrains data source using a restricted database user.
• Keep a Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or VS Code workflow connected to the same project state already open in IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, or Android Studio.

Installation

Built-in IDE setup

Use the built-in MCP Server plugin in a JetBrains IDE 2025.2 or later:

1. Open the target project in the JetBrains IDE.
2. Go to Settings | Tools | MCP Server.
3. Click Enable MCP Server.
4. Use Auto-Configure for supported clients, or copy the SSE, stdio, or HTTP Stream configuration manually.
5. Restart the MCP client so the new configuration is loaded.

Legacy stdio bridge

For clients that need a stdio command, JetBrains' older proxy package can still bridge the client to the local IDE:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jetbrains": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@jetbrains/mcp-proxy"]
    }
  }
}

When multiple IDEs are running, set the IDE port explicitly:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jetbrains": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@jetbrains/mcp-proxy"],
      "env": {
        "IDE_PORT": "63342",
        "HOST": "127.0.0.1"
      }
    }
  }
}

Only configure a non-local host when you have intentionally enabled external IDE connections and reviewed the network exposure.

Source Notes

• JetBrains documents the MCP Server as bundled into IntelliJ IDEA 2025.2 and later, with setup under Settings | Tools | MCP Server.
• JetBrains documents automatic setup for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, VS Code, and Windsurf, plus manual SSE, stdio, and HTTP Stream configuration.
• The JetBrains/mcp-jetbrains repository is an official JetBrains project but is deprecated because the core functionality moved into the IDE.
• The deprecated proxy repository remains relevant for historical stdio examples and @jetbrains/mcp-proxy compatibility notes.

Duplicate Check

Before drafting this entry, the current upstream content tree and live open PRs were checked for JetBrains, IntelliJ MCP, mcp-jetbrains, @jetbrains/mcp-proxy, the JetBrains MCP docs URL, and the official repository URL. No existing content entry or open PR covered this JetBrains MCP server.

Editorial Disclosure

Submitted as a community content entry by oktofeesh1. This listing is based on JetBrains' official documentation and official repository metadata, with no paid placement or affiliate relationship.