context-engine-mcp 1.0.3

MCP-based contextual flag system for AI assistants

Context Engine MCP

17 contextual flags for AI assistants. Control how AI thinks and works.

What it does

Gives AI specialized working modes through flags. Like --strict for zero errors or --auto for automatic flag selection.

Quick Start

# Install (recommended)
pipx install context-engine-mcp

# For Claude Code
context-engine install

# For Continue 
context-engine install --target cn

Then use in AI:

• "Fix this bug --auto" → AI selects best flags
• "--save" → Creates handoff documentation
• "Analyze --strict" → Multi-angle analysis with zero errors

Note: Manual MCP server setup required after installation (see details below).

17 Flags

Flag	Purpose
--analyze	Multi-angle systematic analysis
--auto	AI selects optimal flag combination
--concise	Minimal communication
--explain	Progressive disclosure
--git	Version control best practices
--lean	Essential focus only
--load	Load handoff documentation
--parallel	Multi-agent processing
--performance	Speed and efficiency optimization
--readonly	Analysis only mode
--refactor	Code quality improvement
--research	Technology investigation
--reset	Reset session flag state
--save	Handoff documentation
--seq	Sequential thinking
--strict	Zero-error enforcement
--todo	Task management

Installation Details

Claude Code

# Install package
pipx install context-engine-mcp

# Install configuration files
context-engine install

⚠️ Important: After installation, you must manually add the MCP server:

# Choose ONE of these commands:

# Standard Python installation
claude mcp add -s user -- context-engine context-engine-mcp

# UV installation  
claude mcp add -s user -- context-engine uv run context-engine-mcp

# Custom command
claude mcp add -s user -- context-engine <your-command>

This creates MCP server configuration and installs to ~/.claude/.

Continue Extension

# Install package
pipx install context-engine-mcp

# Install configuration files
context-engine install --target cn

⚠️ Configuration Required: Edit ~/.continue/mcpServers/context-engine.yaml and uncomment ONE option:

# Option 1: Standard Python (most common)
name: Context Engine MCP
command: context-engine-mcp

# Option 2: UV installation  
# name: Context Engine MCP
# command: uv
# args: ["run", "context-engine-mcp"]

# Option 3: Custom installation
# name: Context Engine MCP  
# command: <your-custom-command>

Then restart VS Code and type @ in Continue chat to access MCP tools.

How to Use

In AI Chat

# Auto mode - AI selects flags
"Refactor this code --auto"

# Direct flags
"--save"  # Creates handoff doc
"--analyze --strict"  # Multi-angle analysis with zero errors
"--reset --analyze"  # Reset session and reapply

# Combined flags
"Review this --analyze --strict --seq"

MCP Tools (Called by AI)

• list_available_flags() - Shows all 17 flags
• get_directives(['--flag1', '--flag2']) - Activates flags

Development: For local development, use pip install -e . instead of pipx.

Configuration Updates: Edit ~/.context/flags.yaml and restart MCP server to apply changes.

Optional MCP Servers

For enhanced functionality with specific flags, consider installing these additional MCP servers:

For --research flag:

# Documentation and examples server
claude mcp add -s user -- context7 npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp

For --seq flag:

# Sequential thinking server  
claude mcp add -s user -- sequential-thinking npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking

These servers provide specialized tools that complement the respective flags but are not required for basic functionality.

Session Management

• Duplicate flags show REMINDER only (saves tokens)
• Use --reset when changing context
• AI tracks which flags are active

Special: --auto Workflow

--auto is NOT a flag. It's an instruction for AI to:

1. Analyze your task
2. Select appropriate flags
3. Apply them automatically

Example: "Fix this bug --auto" → AI might choose --analyze, --strict, --seq

Files Created

~/.claude/
├── CLAUDE.md           # References @CONTEXT-ENGINE.md
└── CONTEXT-ENGINE.md   # Flag instructions (auto-updated)

~/.continue/
├── config.yaml         # Contains Context Engine rules
└── mcpServers/
    ├── context-engine.yaml
    ├── sequential-thinking.yaml
    └── context7.yaml

~/.context/
└── flags.yaml          # Flag definitions

Uninstallation

# Complete uninstall from all environments (Claude Code + Continue)
context-engine uninstall

# Remove Python package
pipx uninstall context-engine-mcp

Note: During uninstallation, ~/.context/flags.yaml is backed up to ~/flags.yaml.backup_YYYYMMDD_HHMMSS before removal. During installation, existing flags.yaml is automatically backed up and updated to the latest version.

License

MIT