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MCP setup & Zephex — questions answered

Straight answers for developers setting up a hosted MCP server in Cursor, Claude Code, or VS Code. No fluff—each section starts with the short answer, then steps or links if you need more.

Who is Zephex for?

Solo builders on Cursor/Claude Code who need real repo context; teams rolling out MCP across editors with one API key policy; and security-minded engineers who want check_package before every npm install. Not for chat memory (Mem0) or docs-only MCP (Context7) — though many teams use both alongside Zephex.

Who it's for guide · Workflows

What is Zephex?

Zephex is a hosted MCP server for AI coding tools. You connect Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code, or other MCP editors with one API key and get ten built-in tools: project overview, code search, package safety checks, architecture diagrams, and more.

Docs home · See all 10 tools

What is the difference between hosted MCP and local MCP?

Local MCP runs small programs on your laptop—private and fast, but you set them up again for every editor and every teammate. Hosted MCP (Zephex) gives everyone the same tools through one key and one endpoint, with package audits and usage tracking built in.

Full comparison · HTTP vs stdio explained

How do I add an MCP server to Cursor?

You need a Zephex API key and a small JSON file in your project. After that, restart Cursor once and check that ten tools show up.

  1. Go to zephex.dev → create an API key (copy it—you only see it once).
  2. In your project root, create `.cursor/mcp.json` with the zephex block from our Cursor guide (uses `npx -y zephex` and `ZEPHEX_API_KEY`).
  3. Fully quit Cursor (Cmd+Q on Mac, not just close the window). Open it again.
  4. Open Settings → Tools & MCPs. You should see zephex connected with 10 tools.

Cursor guide (copy-paste config) · Install wizard

How do I connect Zephex to Claude Code?

Claude Code reads MCP settings from your user config file. Add Zephex there, restart the app, and check /mcp.

  1. Create an API key at zephex.dev.
  2. Edit `~/.claude.json` and add zephex under `mcpServers`, or run `npx zephex setup --claude`.
  3. Quit Claude Code completely and reopen it.
  4. In a new chat, run `/mcp` and confirm zephex lists 10 tools.

Claude Code guide

How do I add MCP to VS Code?

VS Code can talk to Zephex over HTTPS. You put the endpoint in `.vscode/mcp.json` and paste your API key when prompted.

  1. Create a Zephex API key.
  2. Add `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace root (see our VS Code guide for the HTTP block pointing at https://zephex.dev/mcp).
  3. Run Command Palette → Developer: Reload Window.
  4. Open your MCP chat panel and confirm zephex is connected with 10 tools.

VS Code guide

How long does Zephex setup take?

Most people finish in about two minutes: one API key, one config file, one editor restart. You do not install a separate MCP server repo on each machine.

Quickstart

How many free MCP requests does Zephex include?

Free is 555 requests per month per account (all keys share one quota). Pro is 3,500 for $7/month. Max is 10,000 for $19/month. Each tool call counts as one request. If you go over the limit, share your link for +300 bonus requests or upgrade.

Pricing · Usage limits

How is Zephex different from Context7?

Context7 pulls fresh documentation for libraries (great for “how does this API work?”). Zephex works on your actual project: your files, your dependencies, your folder structure. Lots of teams use both.

Zephex vs Context7

Is Zephex a memory MCP like Mem0?

No. Mem0-style tools remember chat facts over time (preferences, notes). Zephex helps the agent understand the codebase you have open right now—search code, audit packages, map architecture. Different jobs.

Zephex vs Mem0

Does Zephex automatically read my private GitHub repo?

No. Zephex does not clone GitHub for you. Tools read files on the machine where your editor is running. If the repo is checked out locally, the agent can analyze it.

More FAQ

Does Zephex train on my code?

No. We do not use your code, prompts, or tool output to train models. Data is used only to answer the current tool call, then discarded. Details are on our Data Use and Security pages.

Data use · Security

Which tool checks if an npm package is safe?

Use check_package before you run npm install. It checks the live registry for typosquats and red flags. For big version jumps, use check_package with task=upgrade or task=security for CVEs and breaking changes.

check_package docs · Package safety workflow

Can Zephex help before a Stripe SDK upgrade?

Yes. check_package with task=upgrade shows breaking changes between versions. check_test lists which files will need edits. That is the same idea as catching a fake Stripe package before install—verify first, then change code.

Stripe upgrade workflow

How do I onboard an AI agent to a new codebase fast?

Run get_project_context first (stack, scripts, key paths). Then explain_architecture for a diagram. Then find_code or read_code on the files the agent actually needs—instead of opening fifty files by hand.

Onboarding workflow

How do teams share MCP without different configs on every laptop?

Use one hosted endpoint and the same editor guides for everyone. Give each environment its own API key if you want (staging vs prod). Track usage in the dashboard.

Team rollout guide

Does Zephex support HTTP or OAuth MCP?

Yes. VS Code often uses HTTP to https://zephex.dev/mcp with a Bearer key. Cursor and Claude Code usually use stdio via `npx zephex`, which still talks to our hosted backend. See the OAuth & HTTP doc for your editor.

OAuth & HTTP setup

What happens when I hit the rate limit?

You get HTTP 429 with Retry-After. Upgrade your plan, wait for the monthly reset, or slow down tool calls. Tell the agent to stop retrying in a loop when you see the limit.

Rate limits help

What tools come with Zephex?

Ten tools: get_project_context, read_code, find_code, check_package, check_test, project_memory, explain_architecture, audit_headers, keep_thinking, and Zephex_dev_info.

Tool list

Does Zephex work with Windsurf?

Yes. We document Windsurf MCP setup the same way as Cursor—global config path plus your API key.

Windsurf guide

What is the best MCP server for Cursor?

Depends what you need. For library docs only, try a docs MCP like Context7. For your real repo, package audits, and one config for the whole team, Zephex is built for that—ten tools, one key.

MCP for Cursor landing · Cursor + hosted MCP

Why does Cursor show zero MCP tools?

Usually the config file is in the wrong folder, JSON has a typo, or Cursor was only reloaded—not fully quit. Put `.cursor/mcp.json` in the project root, fix JSON, quit with Cmd+Q, reopen, new chat.

Troubleshooting guide

Does Zephex have llms.txt for AI agents?

Yes. https://zephex.dev/llms.txt lists tools, editors, and the best doc links. Agents can start there instead of guessing URLs.

Markdown / llms.txt

Zephex vs a filesystem MCP server?

Filesystem MCP only reads local files. Zephex adds package registry checks, AST-aware code tools, and one setup for every editor on the team.

Zephex vs filesystem MCP · Hosted vs local

Zephex vs GitHub MCP — which should I use?

GitHub MCP automates issues, PRs, and GitHub API actions across org repos. Zephex analyzes your checked-out codebase — AST search, package audits, architecture maps. Use both: GitHub MCP for collaboration on GitHub.com, Zephex for private monorepo work on disk.

Zephex vs GitHub MCP · Team rollout

What is the best MCP server for Claude Code in 2026?

For your real repo and npm safety: Zephex — ten tools, one ~/.claude.json entry, package audits built in. For GitHub issues and PRs: GitHub MCP. For library docs: Context7. Most Claude Code power users run Zephex daily and add niche servers only when needed.

MCP for Claude Code · Claude Code setup · vs GitHub MCP

How do I audit npm packages with MCP?

Before npm install, call Zephex check_package on the package name — it checks the live registry for typosquats, version status, and red flags. For upgrades use task=upgrade; for CVEs use task=security. Use project_memory to remember decisions, gotchas, and goals across sessions via local SQLite (stdio only).

check_package docs · Package safety workflow · Why not GitHub MCP alone

Zephex vs Smithery — which should I use?

Smithery helps you discover and install individual MCP servers. Zephex is one hosted server with ten engineering tools already bundled — no marketplace assembly. Use both if you want niche servers plus a core codebase toolkit.

Zephex vs Smithery · Install Zephex

Can I use Zephex without Cursor or Claude Code?

Yes. Run npx zephex in your terminal for get-context, find-code, check-package, and more — same backend as MCP, human-readable output. Try the live demo at /cli.

CLI demo · CLI without agent

Is there enterprise pricing?

Contact support for higher limits, SLAs, or custom terms. Most small teams use Free, Pro, or Max on the pricing page.

FAQ

My API key leaked—what do I do?

Revoke it in the dashboard immediately and create a new key. Update every editor config that used the old key.

API keys guide

Zephex vs Google Cloud MCP servers?

Google’s MCP servers connect to BigQuery, Firebase, and other Google data with IAM. Zephex is for everyday app development on any stack—your code, your npm packages, any editor.

FAQ

When should I use keep_thinking?

When debugging is stuck after the first fix. It keeps track of what you tried, what failed, and what you learned—so the agent does not loop on the same bad guess.

keep_thinking docs

Can Zephex draw architecture diagrams?

Yes—explain_architecture outputs Mermaid diagrams (auth, services, dependencies). Run get_project_context first so the agent knows your stack.

explain_architecture

Where is the changelog?

https://zephex.dev/changelog — dated releases for tools, editors, and platform changes.

Changelog

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