Developer tools · MCP server
Trace MCP: MCP server, setup and security
Trace MCP is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent analyze code dependencies, call graphs and change impact for refactoring. Its repository has 193 stars and its last commit is from October 24, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.
| Adoption (stars) | 23/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 20/30 |
What Trace MCP does
According to its repository: “Framework-aware code intelligence via a cross-language dependency graph: routes, ORM relations, DI trees, impact analysis, call graphs and refactoring.”
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. Trace MCP is listed under Developer tools, a category of 475 servers in the directory, where it ranks #119 by stars.
Topics declared by the repository: ai-agents, claude-code, code-intelligence, developer-tools, claude, claude-ai.
Installing and connecting Trace MCP
Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:
- npm package (Node.js, usually started with
npx)
It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables. Project language: TypeScript. Listed systems: macOS, Windows, Linux.
Security: what to check
Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.
None of the risk signals we track (system access, secrets, missing licence, abandonment) applies to Trace MCP. That does not replace reading the code.
Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.
Project activity and maintenance
Created on April 3, 2026, the nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp repository has 193 stars and 24 forks, with 3 open issues. It has more stars than 77% of the servers in the directory. It received changes this month. Version published in the registry: 3.37.10 (October 18, 2026).
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
Trace MCP is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Widely followed: 193 stars
- Listed in the official MCP registry
- Permissive licence (MIT)
Alternatives
- Radar Kubernetes MCP Server3.9K ★
- Repowise7.9K ★
- Jscpd6.4K ★
- Apify MCP server12.9K ★
- Codebase Memory47.4K ★
- PostHog MCP Server40.4K ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install Trace MCP?
Trace MCP is distributed as npm package (Node.js, usually started with npx). Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of nikolai-vysotskyi/trace-mcp.
Is Trace MCP free?
The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.
Is Trace MCP safe?
No risk signal found (system access, secrets, licence, abandonment). As with any MCP server, keep rights minimal and read the code before sensitive use.
Is it an official server?
Nothing says so: it is a project published by nikolai-vysotskyi on GitHub. Check who maintains it before giving it access.
What are the alternatives to Trace MCP?
In the same category: Radar Kubernetes MCP Server, Repowise, Jscpd, and Apify MCP server. Radar Kubernetes MCP Server and Repowise score higher on our grid.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score