mcphub.nvim MCP — Use Cases, Install & Live Demo

Why use it

Key features

Verified marketplace of MCP servers with one-command install
Full MCP feature support: tools, resources, templates, prompts
OAuth PKCE + API key auth
Integration with Avante.nvim, CodeCompanion.nvim, CopilotChat.nvim
Project-local config merging, JSON5 config syntax

Live Demo

What it looks like in practice

mcphub-nvim.replay ▶ ready

0/0

Install

Pick your client

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcphub-nvim": {
      "command": "TODO",
      "args": [
        "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config. Restart after saving.

~/.cursor/mcp.json · .cursor/mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcphub-nvim": {
      "command": "TODO",
      "args": [
        "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Cursor uses the same mcpServers schema as Claude Desktop. Project config wins over global.

VS Code → Cline → MCP Servers → Edit

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcphub-nvim": {
      "command": "TODO",
      "args": [
        "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Click the MCP Servers icon in the Cline sidebar, then "Edit Configuration".

~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "mcphub-nvim": {
      "command": "TODO",
      "args": [
        "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
      ],
      "_inferred": true
    }
  }
}

Same shape as Claude Desktop. Restart Windsurf to pick up changes.

~/.continue/config.json

{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "mcphub-nvim",
      "command": "TODO",
      "args": [
        "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Continue uses an array of server objects rather than a map.

~/.config/zed/settings.json

{
  "context_servers": {
    "mcphub-nvim": {
      "command": {
        "path": "TODO",
        "args": [
          "See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

Add to context_servers. Zed hot-reloads on save.

claude mcp add mcphub-nvim -- TODO 'See README: https://github.com/ravitemer/mcphub.nvim'

One-liner. Verify with claude mcp list. Remove with claude mcp remove.

Use Cases

Real-world ways to use mcphub.nvim

How to use MCP servers from Neovim via Avante or CodeCompanion

👤 Neovim devs ⏱ ~20 min intermediate

When to use: You live in Neovim and don't want to switch to VS Code for MCP access.

Prerequisites

Neovim 0.10+ — brew install neovim
Avante.nvim or CodeCompanion.nvim installed — Via your plugin manager (lazy.nvim/packer)
mcphub.nvim + its Node dependency — See ravitemer.github.io/mcphub.nvim for install snippet

Flow

Install via plugin manager

Add ravitemer/mcphub.nvim to your lazy.nvim config with opts = { ... }.✓ Copied

→ :MCPHub opens the management UI
Install a server from the marketplace

:MCPHub marketplace — search 'github' and install.✓ Copied

→ Server starts, tools registered
Use via Avante

In Avante chat, ask a question — Avante picks up MCP tools.✓ Copied

→ Tool calls visible in Avante output

Outcome: MCP tools usable inside your editor, no context switch.

Pitfalls

Node not on PATH inside Neovim — Use an absolute path in config or ensure Neovim inherits your shell env

How to set up project-local MCP servers that merge with global

👤 Polyglot devs with different tooling per project ⏱ ~15 min intermediate

When to use: One project needs postgres MCP, another needs a bespoke internal MCP.

Flow

Create .mcphub.json5 at project root

Define project-specific servers in .mcphub.json5.✓ Copied

→ Servers auto-load when you open the project
Verify merge

:MCPHub status — see which servers are global vs project.✓ Copied

→ Merged view

Outcome: Context-aware tool loadout per project.

Pitfalls

Committing secrets in .mcphub.json5 — Use env var references, gitignore the file if it must contain tokens

How to iterate on a custom MCP server from Neovim

👤 MCP server authors ⏱ ~15 min advanced

When to use: You're building a server and want fast iteration.

Flow

Enable dev mode

Add your server with dev=true in mcphub config.✓ Copied

→ Hot-reload on file save
Iterate

Edit server code; mcphub restarts it transparently.✓ Copied

→ Updated tools without Neovim restart

Outcome: Tight dev loop inside Neovim.

Combinations

Pair with other MCPs for X10 leverage

mcphub-nvim + github

Use GitHub MCP from Neovim via Avante chat

Install github MCP via marketplace, then ask Avante to show PRs assigned to me.✓ Copied

Tools

What this MCP exposes

Tool	Inputs	When to call	Cost
(plugin) :MCPHub	Commands: status, marketplace, install, logs	Manage servers	free
(plugin) marketplace-install	server_name	Quickly add a vetted MCP	free
(integration) Avante/CodeCompanion/CopilotChat tools	Chat prompts	Normal chat usage	1 LLM call + tool calls

Cost & Limits

What this costs to run

API quota: None (plugin itself)
Tokens per call: Adds a tools list to Avante/CC prompts
Monetary: Free (MIT)
Tip: Disable unused marketplace servers — each one adds tools to your prompt budget.

Security

Permissions, secrets, blast radius

Minimum scopes: Whatever each installed MCP needs

Credential storage: Env var references in mcphub config

Data egress: Per downstream MCP

Never grant: Don't commit .mcphub.json5 with inline secrets

Marketplace entries are community-submitted — verify publisher before installing.

Troubleshooting

Common errors and fixes

mcphub fails to start Node subprocess

Neovim's PATH may not include Node. Set vim.env.PATH or use absolute path.

Verify: :!which node

Avante doesn't see MCP tools

Check Avante adapter version — older versions don't support MCP. Update.

Marketplace shows empty list

Network/firewall blocking marketplace URL. Check :MCPHub logs.

OAuth flow stuck in browser

Copy the URL from :MCPHub logs and paste manually; localhost redirect may not fire from Neovim context.

Alternatives

mcphub.nvim vs others

Alternative	When to use it instead	Tradeoff
CodeCompanion.nvim (native)	You want LLM chat without MCP management	No marketplace, no OAuth flows
VS Code MCP	You prefer VS Code	Not Neovim

More

Resources

📖 Read the official README on GitHub

🐙 Browse open issues

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