ProvenTools MCP server
Beta local stdio MCP access to the ProvenTools curated idea library, stored
evidence, build prompts, credit balances, and existing validation reports. The
package uses Node.js built-ins only and does not host a remote MCP endpoint.
Requirements
- Node.js 22.14 or newer
- A ProvenTools Library account with Live access
- An API key from
https://www.proventools.net/dashboard/api-keys
Make PROVENTOOLS_API_KEY available through the MCP client's secret store or
inherited environment. Never place a literal key in command arguments, shell
history, checked-in MCP configuration, an agent prompt, or a log.
The examples pin the exact beta version so an agent cannot silently execute a
newer release.
Codex
codex mcp add proventools -- npx --yes @proventools/mcp@0.1.0-beta.1
Claude Code
claude mcp add proventools -- npx --yes @proventools/mcp@0.1.0-beta.1
Cursor
Add this non-secret definition to .cursor/mcp.json:
{
"mcpServers": {
"proventools": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["--yes", "@proventools/mcp@0.1.0-beta.1"]
}
}
}
Generic stdio client
{
"command": "npx",
"args": ["--yes", "@proventools/mcp@0.1.0-beta.1"]
}
The transport is JSON-RPC 2.0 over newline-delimited stdin/stdout. It
implements initialize, tools/list, and tools/call.
Tools
search_ideas({ query?, category?, difficulty?, page? })
get_idea({ id })
get_build_prompt({ id })
whats_new()
get_idea_evidence({ id, historyLimit? })
get_validation_report({ id })
get_credit_balance()
recommend_ideas({ query, ...filters })
shortlist_ideas({ query, ...filters })
discover_ideas({ query, ...filters })
compare_ideas({ ideaIds, query? })
explain_idea_score({ id })
Evidence reads use stored PostgreSQL snapshots and cost zero credits.
Intelligence tools may send natural-language input and selected stored idea
fields to OpenAI for semantic retrieval and bounded synthesis when the
server-side feature is enabled.
Every tool in this beta costs zero credits. It cannot request evidence
refreshes, submit validations, spend credits, or start paid jobs. Existing
validation reports and credit balances remain available as read-only data.
Network and process safety
The MCP process sends the ProvenTools API key only to approved production
origins or HTTP loopback origins, rejects redirects, bounds request and output
sizes, limits concurrent calls, and writes protocol messages only to stdout.
Support and licensing
Use https://www.proventools.net/contact for support or security reports.
The local MCP server code is licensed under MIT. The license does not grant
rights to the ProvenTools API, datasets, content, trademarks, paid features,
or service access; those remain governed by ProvenTools terms.