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PopNx MCPMCP servers for people who use AI · explained in plain words

Kitsune MCP

by kaiser-dataversion 0.23.0i★ 3iRuns on your computer
Registry nameio.github.kaiser-data/kitsune-mcp

How to install

What it does

Hot-reload for MCP servers + mount any community server mid-session, Docker optional. No restarts.

  • Connects Runs on your computer
  • Account or key No key needed
  • Category Developer tools

Install

Pick the AI app you use, then copy the settings.

Passed 3/3 checks · Runs on your computer · ✓ Commands checked Nov 14, 2026

First: which AI do you use?

Pick your app and the steps appear below.

Works with Claude, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Claude chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server Kitsune MCP for Claude on this computer, in this order: 1) Check Node.js with node -v. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://nodejs.org/en/download; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "mcpServers": { "kitsune": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "-y", "kitsune-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the Kitsune MCP tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

  1. Install Node.js (if you don’t have it)

    Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter

    node -v
    • A version number such as v26.13.1 = installed, skip this step
    • "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
    How to open Terminal

    Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter

    Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open

    Not installed: Open the official download page, pick the LTS version and the click-through installer: .pkg on Mac · .msi on Windows. Double-click and follow it to the end. No curl command needed

    Open the Node.js download page ↗

    When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: node -v

    Install once; it works for everything that needs Node.js

  2. Open the Claude desktop app’s settings file

    SettingsDeveloperEdit Config

  3. Paste these settings and save the file

    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "kitsune": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": [
            "-y",
            "kitsune-mcp"
          ]
        }
      }
    }
  4. Quit Claude and open it again

  5. Try it

    Use Kitsune MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing

    ✓ If Claude says it is using Kitsune MCP or shows a Kitsune MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

1 optional setting(s) (works without them)

The command above works without these. Add them only if you want to change something, following the maker’s description.

  • SMITHERY_API_KEY Optional. Adds Smithery to registry search; the other registries need no key. Get one at smithery.ai/account/api-keys

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

ChatGPT cannot connect Kitsune MCP yet

Kitsune MCP runs on your computer, but ChatGPT can only connect servers that run on the web

What you can do instead

A · Use an app that can connect Kitsune MCP

  • Install Node.js on your computer first (one time) · Only the Claude desktop app (Windows or Mac), not the web or phone
  • Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
  • Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)
  • Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

B · Others in Developer tools that work with ChatGPT

Picked from the most used in the same category, only ones that connect by address with no key

Works with Claude Code, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Claude Code chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server Kitsune MCP for Claude Code on this computer, in this order: 1) Check Node.js with node -v. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://nodejs.org/en/download; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): claude mcp add --scope user kitsune -- npx -y kitsune-mcp 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the Kitsune MCP tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

  1. Install Node.js (if you don’t have it)

    Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter

    node -v
    • A version number such as v26.13.1 = installed, skip this step
    • "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
    How to open Terminal

    Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter

    Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open

    Not installed: Open the official download page, pick the LTS version and the click-through installer: .pkg on Mac · .msi on Windows. Double-click and follow it to the end. No curl command needed

    Open the Node.js download page ↗

    When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: node -v

    Install once; it works for everything that needs Node.js

  2. Open Terminal

    Mac: press Command+Space and type Terminal · Windows: open PowerShell

  3. Paste this command and press Enter

    claude mcp add --scope user kitsune -- npx -y kitsune-mcp
  4. Type /mcp in Claude Code

    You should see Kitsune MCP listed as connected

  5. Try it

    Use Kitsune MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing

    ✓ If Claude Code says it is using Kitsune MCP or shows a Kitsune MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

1 optional setting(s) (works without them)

The command above works without these. Add them only if you want to change something, following the maker’s description.

  • SMITHERY_API_KEY Optional. Adds Smithery to registry search; the other registries need no key. Get one at smithery.ai/account/api-keys

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

Menu names checked against Anthropic’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with Cursor, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a Cursor chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server Kitsune MCP for Cursor on this computer, in this order: 1) Check Node.js with node -v. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://nodejs.org/en/download; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "mcpServers": { "kitsune": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "-y", "kitsune-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the Kitsune MCP tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

  1. Install Node.js (if you don’t have it)

    Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter

    node -v
    • A version number such as v26.13.1 = installed, skip this step
    • "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
    How to open Terminal

    Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter

    Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open

    Not installed: Open the official download page, pick the LTS version and the click-through installer: .pkg on Mac · .msi on Windows. Double-click and follow it to the end. No curl command needed

    Open the Node.js download page ↗

    When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: node -v

    Install once; it works for everything that needs Node.js

  2. Click this button to open Cursor

    Open in Cursor

    Cursor asks you to confirm; click Install

  3. Open the AI chat in Cursor in Agent mode

  4. Try it

    Use Kitsune MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing

    ✓ If Cursor says it is using Kitsune MCP or shows a Kitsune MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

1 optional setting(s) (works without them)

The command above works without these. Add them only if you want to change something, following the maker’s description.

  • SMITHERY_API_KEY Optional. Adds Smithery to registry search; the other registries need no key. Get one at smithery.ai/account/api-keys

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

Menu names checked against Cursor’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Works with VS Code, with some setup first

Install Node.js on your computer first (one time)

Let AI install it

Copy this message into a VS Code chat. The AI checks your computer, tells you which file it will change, and waits for your OK every time.

Please install the MCP server Kitsune MCP for VS Code on this computer, in this order: 1) Check Node.js with node -v. If it is missing, tell me to install it from https://nodejs.org/en/download; do not install it yourself. 2) Use only this config (already checked by PopNx MCP): { "servers": { "kitsune": { "type": "stdio", "command": "npx", "args": [ "-y", "kitsune-mcp" ] } } } 3) Tell me the full path of the file you will change, or the command you will run, and wait for my OK. 4) No key is needed. 5) Do what we agreed, then check that the Kitsune MCP tools really show up.

This message has no key in it. If a key is needed, the AI will ask you to paste it yourself into the file or the app’s field.

  1. Install Node.js (if you don’t have it)

    Already installed? Check first · Open Terminal, type this command and press Enter

    node -v
    • A version number such as v26.13.1 = installed, skip this step
    • "command not found" (on Windows: "is not recognized") = not installed yet, or installed but Terminal needs to be closed and reopened
    How to open Terminal

    Mac: press ⌘ + Space, type Terminal, press Enter

    Windows: open Start, type Windows PowerShell, then Open

    Not installed: Open the official download page, pick the LTS version and the click-through installer: .pkg on Mac · .msi on Windows. Double-click and follow it to the end. No curl command needed

    Open the Node.js download page ↗

    When it’s done, close Terminal, open it again and run the same command. You should see a version number: node -v

    Install once; it works for everything that needs Node.js

  2. Click this button to open VS Code

    Open in VS Code

    VS Code asks you to confirm; click Install

  3. Open the AI chat in VS Code in Agent mode

  4. Try it

    Use Kitsune MCP and tell me what you can do for me, then show me one thing

    ✓ If VS Code says it is using Kitsune MCP or shows a Kitsune MCP tool in the answer, you are connected

1 optional setting(s) (works without them)

The command above works without these. Add them only if you want to change something, following the maker’s description.

  • SMITHERY_API_KEY Optional. Adds Smithery to registry search; the other registries need no key. Get one at smithery.ai/account/api-keys

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

Menu names checked against VS Code’s help page on Nov 11, 2026 · your screen may differ slightly by app version

Other apps that use MCP, such as Windsurf, Zed or Gemini CLI, each add servers differently. See how in the app list.

See every app that uses MCP →

JSON settings are under “For developers” below

Stuck? Ask people who use Kitsune MCP💬 Discussion →
For developers: Terminal commands and JSON settings

Installed on your computer

Claude Code

claude mcp add --scope user kitsune -- npx -y kitsune-mcp

Claude Desktop (claude_desktop_config.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kitsune": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "kitsune-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Cursor (~/.cursor/mcp.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kitsune": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "kitsune-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (mcp.json)

{
  "servers": {
    "kitsune": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "kitsune-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Values you fill in

  • SMITHERY_API_KEY secret env
    Optional. Adds Smithery to registry search; the other registries need no key. Get one at smithery.ai/account/api-keys

Descriptions are as written by the maker.

These settings are generated from the maker’s registry entry. If the README says otherwise, follow the README.

At a glance

Downloads per weeki
1,404/wk
Connection
Runs on your computer
Latest versioni
0.23.0
Published to registryi
Nov 8, 2026
Code last changedi
Nov 8, 2026
Maker
kaiser-data
Packages
npm: kitsune-mcp
pypi: kitsune-mcp
Registry status
Active

Which apps can use it

Based on how this server connects and on each app’s own docs, checked Nov 10, 2026.

Run on your computer in

ClaudeGooseLM StudioMsty StudioCherry StudioCursorVS Code + GitHub CopilotVisual StudioWindsurf (Devin Desktop)ZedKiroClineContinueJetBrains AI AssistantClaude CodeCodex CLIGemini CLIOpenCodenodecodeWarpLibreChatRaycast

All apps, with pros and cons →

Related guides

What it can do

Runs on your computer; the tool list appears in your AI app after you install it.

Basic checksi

We check information anyone can see; we have not read the code. Checks that do not apply are left out of the count. · Checked Nov 15, 2026

  • ✓ Pass

    Maker matches the repo

    The registry name was verified with the GitHub account kaiser-data, which owns the repo

  • ✓ Pass

    Still maintained

    Code last changed 7 days ago

  • ✓ Pass

    Has a licence

    Uses MIT

  • – Not applicable

    Endpoint responds

    This one runs on your computer; there is no internet endpoint

  • – Not applicable

    Sign-in with OAuth

    Runs on your computer and uses local settings instead

  • … Not checked yet

    No hidden instructions in tool descriptions

    Runs on your computer; we can only read tool lists from internet endpoints

Published vulnerabilities (OSV.dev)

No entries on OSV.dev for kitsune-mcp@0.23.0

Checks only this package version, not every dependency · checked Nov 15, 2026

What we check → · JSON

Makers: ask for a re-check or report wrong info

Discussion

Ask, share a tip or report that it does not work. Sorted by what people marked helpful.

No posts yet. Be the first to ask or share.

Posts here are written by users, not the PopNx team.

Sign in to post

User reviews

No reviews yet

Sign in to write a review

Compared with others in Developer toolsi

  • More stars than 81% of the other 5920 servers in this category
  • Published to the registry more recently than 73% of the other 5920 servers in this category
  • Basic checks equal to or better than 100% of the other 5920 servers in this category

Compared with every active server in this category in the registry. Stars count only when the publisher owns the repo.

Common questions

Is Kitsune MCP safe?

It passed 3 of 3 applicable basic checks. We have not read the code. Before adding a key or token, see what access the server asks for and use a key with only the permissions you need.

What keys or codes does it need?

The registry does not list a required key, though some servers ask you to sign in on first use.

Does it run on my computer or in the cloud?

It runs on your computer. Your AI app starts it when needed, and data does not pass through the maker’s servers (unless it calls an online service itself).

Is it still maintained?

The GitHub repo last changed 7 days ago, and the latest version (0.23.0) reached the registry 7 days ago.

Which apps can use it?

Apps that support MCP, such as Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor and VS Code. You also need Node.js, Python (uv) on your computer.

What can I use instead?

In the same category: GitDiagram, Appllama, Cloudflare MCP, Omnara, Repowise

Similar alternatives

Same category, other makers, commands already checked. Official ones first, then by stars.

Reading a card:↓ Downloads per weeki★ GitHub starsiThree pillars: reviews · checks · usageiUpdated = latest version published to the registryi

GitDiagram

Architecture diagrams, explanations and Mermaid source for public GitHub repositories.

by ahmedkhaleel2004Widely used★ 18.9KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · gitdiagram.comTried by the PopNx team

Appllama

Study screens, flows and paywalls from top-earning iOS apps, then build from what wins.

by AppllamaWidely used★ 5.2KUpdated 3 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · appllama.io

Cloudflare MCP

Cloudflare MCP servers

by cloudflareWidely used★ 4.5KUpdated 14 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · mcp.cloudflare.comTried by the PopNx team

Omnara

Deploy durable AI agents with Omnara, an open-source managed-agent platform.

by omnara-aiWidely used★ 3.4KUpdated 2 months ago

Runs in the cloud✓ service owner · omnara.com

Repowise

Codebase intelligence for AI coding agents: graph, git history, docs, decisions, code health.

by repowise-devWidely used↓ 6.5K/wk★ 8.1K Stars for the whole repoUpdated 2 days ago

Computer or cloud✓ service owner · repowise.dev
  • GitDiagram — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
  • Appllama — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
  • Cloudflare MCP — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed · In Claude’s directory
  • Omnara — Runs in the cloud, nothing to install · No key needed
  • Repowise — Cloud or install on your computer · No key needed

README from the maker

Open the README

Copied from the maker’s repo as written. PopNx MCP has not reviewed or endorsed it. HTML, images and scripts are removed. Links lead off this site.

🦊 Kitsune MCP Let your agent test the MCP server it's building.

Edit a tool, reload("dev") , call it again. No client restart. ⭐ Saved you a restart? Star it on GitHub so others find it. 📖 Documentation · Hot-reload tutorial · Tools reference

AI agents installing this server (Cline, Claude Code, Cursor, …): follow llms-install.md. No clone or build needed. Add the uvx kitsune-mcp entry to your MCP settings.

One prompt: Claude finds the bug, fixes it, reloads, checks again. Real recording, 31 s.


Why

Your agent edits an MCP tool, but the client still runs the old process. Someone has to restart it before the agent can test the fix.

With Kitsune, connect, call and reload are tools. The agent runs the whole loop itself:

connect("uv run my-mcp-server", name="dev")  # start your server

shapeshift("dev") # its tools appear in the client call("summarize", arguments={"url": "https://example.com"})

… the agent (or you) edits the tool …

reload("dev") # restart on fresh code, remount call("summarize", arguments={"url": "https://example.com"}) # new code, same session

No Docker needed: connect() runs your own server as a plain local process, so the loop stays fast.

It also mounts any of 130,000+ servers from 7 registries mid-session. If Docker is installed, community packages run caged.

Try it: hot-reload tutorial · examples/demo-hot-reload/

Install

Claude Code

claude mcp add -s user kitsune -- uvx kitsune-mcp

Any other client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, Zed, …):

{

"mcpServers": { "kitsune": { "command": "uvx", "args": ["kitsune-mcp"] } } }

Also on PyPI (pip install kitsune-mcp, then "command": "kitsune-mcp") and npm (npx kitsune-mcp, delegates to uvx).

Requirements: Python 3.12+ · uv · node/npx for npm-based servers · Docker optional: not used for hot-reload, only to cage community servers when installed.

Three things it does

LoopWhat you get
MCP REPLconnect → shapeshift → edit → reload → callIterate on your own server without restarting the client
Long-tail reachsearch → shapeshift → call → shapeshift()Use a server once without adding it to your config forever
Try before you trustconfirm=True + Docker cage + version pinsRun community npm/PyPI code contained, not as your user
Borrow a server you never configured
search("web scraping")

shapeshift("firecrawl", tools=["scrape_url"]) # mount one tool, not the whole server call("scrape_url", arguments={"url": "https://example.com"}) shapeshift() # drop it, session stays up

Try a community package, caged
search("pdf", registry="glama")

shapeshift("mcp-pdf-tools", confirm=True) # npm/PyPI run in hardened Docker when available call("extract_text", arguments={"path": "report.pdf"}) shapeshift()

Add credentials mid-session
auth("BRAVE_API_KEY", "sk-...")  # saved to ~/.kitsune/.env, no restart

shapeshift("brave", tools=["brave_web_search"])

Full live walkthrough: docs/demo-realtime.md.

When to use it, when not to

Use Kitsune when…Skip it when…
You're building an MCP server and want an edit/reload loopYou only use 1–3 trusted servers (configure them natively)
A task needs a server that isn't in your configEvery turn hits the same server (keep it always-on)
You want to evaluate community MCP code without installing it for goodYou want lower token use: modern clients already defer tool schemas, so most configured servers cost little up front
Your MCP config is crowded (GATEWAY)You need a sub-second first call (cold mount takes ~1–15 s)

How it works

shapeshift(server_id) picks a transport (stdio, HTTP+SSE, WebSocket, Docker), connects, reads tools/list, and registers each tool as a native tool with the server's real schema. The client receives notifications/tools/list_changed and sees first-class tools, with no wrapper in between. shapeshift() with no argument removes them and closes the connection.

search() covers the official servers repo, the MCP Registry, Glama, npm, PyPI, GitHub (github:owner/repo) and Smithery (hosted servers, free API key).

Tools

Default profile: 9 tools. Standing cost: ~1,774 tokens/turn on clients that load every tool schema up front (measured with python examples/benchmark.py); ~70 tokens/turn on Claude Code with Tool Search, where schemas load only on first use (measured on Claude Code 2.1.319, 2026-11-06).

ToolRole
connect(command, name)Start a persistent local server, e.g. the one you're developing
reload(name)Release, restart on fresh code, remount, in one call
release(name)Stop a persistent server
search(query, registry?)Search 7 registries
shapeshift(server_id?, tools=[…])Mount a server's tools (all or a subset); no argument drops them
call(tool_name, arguments)Call a tool; the server is inferred when mounted
auth(var_or_server, value?)Set an env key or run an OAuth 2.1 browser flow
auto(task, server_hint=)Search, mount and call in one step
status()Current form, connection pool, session stats

KITSUNE_TOOLS=all (or the kitsune-forge command) adds developer tools: inspect (schemas, credential check, token cost), test (quality score 0–100), bench (p50/p95 latency), compare, prewarm, craft, setup, and more. See docs/tools.md. Companion skills for Claude Code: kitsune-dev, kitsune-improve.

Safety, in short

  • Community sources need consent. npm, PyPI and GitHub servers require confirm=True. The model can set that flag itself, so real approval belongs in your client's tool-approval UI.
  • `connect()` runs the command it is given, as your user, with no consent gate and no cage. It is meant for your own code. Approve connect calls in your client before the agent runs them.
  • Community packages run in a Docker cage by default when Docker is installed: no host filesystem, --cap-drop ALL, read-only root, memory and PID limits. Credentials are passed by name, never in argv.
  • Version pins (TOFU). A later malicious publish doesn't silently replace a version you already ran.
  • Opt-in action guard. A ~/.kitsune/policy.json checks every downstream call against allow/ask/deny rules, path roots and a host allowlist. ask goes to you through MCP elicitation.
  • Install commands are validated and launched without a shell. fetch() blocks private hosts and re-checks every redirect.

Don't run it unattended with production admin, billing or security credentials. The full model, including what it does not protect against: docs/safety.md.

More

Why "Kitsune"?

In Japanese folklore the kitsune (狐) is known for what it can *become*: it borrows a form, uses that power, casts it off and returns to itself. That is the product loop.

*I am not Japanese, and I use this name with the highest respect for the mythology and culture it comes from. The parallel felt too precise to ignore.*

Contributing

make dev     # install with dev dependencies

make test # pytest make lint # ruff

Issues and PRs welcome: github.com/kaiser-data/kitsune-mcp · CHANGELOG.md


*MIT License · Python 3.12+ · Built on FastMCP*