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TL;DR

Ref is a Developer Tools MCP server that lets Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf and any MCP-compatible AI agent up-to-date documentation for your coding agent. Install in 1 minute with mcpizy install ref-tools.

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Ref

Install verified

Developer Tools

Last updated September 4, 2026 · By MCPizy team

Up-to-date documentation for your coding agent. Always-fresh library references.

A

Repo audit: 92/100 — actively maintained, documented and licensed

Scored on licence, adoption, maintenance and documentation of ref-tools/ref-tools-mcp. We show the grade whether it flatters the server or not.

last commit 58 days ago · 1,156 stars · MIT licence · 5 open issues

Read the full audit on CheckMCP

Install Ref

Via MCPizy CLI (recommended):
mcpizy install ref-tools
Or run directly:
npx -y ref-tools-mcp
View on GitHub

Works with

Claude Code
Claude Desktop
Cursor
Windsurf
VS Code + Copilot
Any MCP Client

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Fetch

HTTP fetch for web content retrieval

Alternatives to Ref

If Ref doesn't fit your stack, these Developer Tools MCP servers solve similar problems.

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Memory

Knowledge graph for persistent entity storage

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Filesystem

Local filesystem operations — read, write, search

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SSH

Remote server control via SSH protocol

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ref MCP server?

Ref is listed as an Developer Tools Model Context Protocol server whose documented purpose is to let an MCP-compatible agent up-to-date documentation for your coding agent. Client support, permissions and authentication remain specific to the upstream project.

How do I install Ref MCP with Claude Code?

The fastest way is the MCPizy CLI: run `mcpizy install ref-tools` and MCPizy will add the server to your `.claude.json` automatically. You can also install it manually by adding an entry under `mcpServers` in `.claude.json` with the command `npx -y ref-tools-mcp` and restarting Claude Code.

Does MCPizy charge to view or install Ref MCP?

No. Reading this profile and copying its install guidance is free. Upstream software, API, account or usage costs are separate, and licence coverage should be checked from the linked source when available.

Does Ref MCP work with Cursor and Windsurf?

The MCP standard is supported by those clients, but a specific server can still have client-specific setup or transport limits. Use the configuration shown on this page when present and verify the upstream instructions before installation.

What can I do with Ref MCP?

Its documented purpose is to let an MCP-compatible agent up-to-date documentation for your coding agent. The exact tools, permissions and write capabilities depend on the server version and configuration shown by the upstream project.

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