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Package Search MCP Server

docs/mintlify/cloud/package-search/mcp.mdx

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import { Warning } from '/snippets/callout.mdx';

The Package Search MCP Server is an MCP server designed to add ground truth context about code packages to AI agents. Our research demonstrates that by exposing the source code of a project's dependencies to a model, we improve its performance on coding tasks and reduce its potential for hallucination. Chroma's Package Search MCP server achieves this by exposing tools to allow the model to retrieve necessary context:

Tool NameUsage
package_search_grepUse regex pattern matching to retrieve relevant lines from source code
package_search_hybridUse semantic search with optional regex filtering to explore source code without existing knowledge of its structure
package_search_read_fileReads specific lines from a single file in the code package

Getting Started

<Warning> To guarantee that your model uses package search when desired, add `use package search` to either the system prompt (to use the MCP server whenever applicable) or to each task prompt (to use it only when you instruct the model to do so). </Warning> <Tabs> <Tab title="Anthropic SDK"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Connect to the Chroma MCP server to search code packages. In this example, we search for how the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm is implemented in the `numpy` package from PyPI.</Step> </Steps> <CodeGroup>
python
import anthropic

client = anthropic.Anthropic(
    api_key="<YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY>"
)

response = client.beta.messages.create(
    model="claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
    max_tokens=1000,
    messages=[
        {
            "role": "user",
            "content": "Explain how numpy implements its FFT. Use package search.",
        }
    ],
    mcp_servers=[
        {
            "type": "url",
            "url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
            "name": "package-search",
            "authorization_token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>",
        }
    ],
    betas=["mcp-client-2025-04-04"],
)

print(response)
go
package main

import (
	"context"
	"fmt"
	"log"

	"github.com/anthropics/anthropic-sdk-go"
	"github.com/anthropics/anthropic-sdk-go/option"
	"github.com/anthropics/anthropic-sdk-go/packages/param"
)

func main() {
	client := anthropic.NewClient(
		option.WithAPIKey("<YOUR_ANTHROPIC_API_KEY>"),
		option.WithHeader("anthropic-beta", anthropic.AnthropicBetaMCPClient2025_04_04),
	)

	content := "Explain how numpy implements its FFT. Use package search."
	fmt.Println("[user]:", content)

	messages := []anthropic.BetaMessageParam{
		anthropic.NewBetaUserMessage(
			anthropic.NewBetaTextBlock(content),
		),
	}

	mcpServers := []anthropic.BetaRequestMCPServerURLDefinitionParam{
		{
			URL:                "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
			Name:               "package-search",
			AuthorizationToken: param.NewOpt("<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"),
			ToolConfiguration: anthropic.BetaRequestMCPServerToolConfigurationParam{
				Enabled:      anthropic.Bool(true),
			},
		},
	}

	message, err := client.Beta.Messages.New(
		context.TODO(),
		anthropic.BetaMessageNewParams{
			MaxTokens:  1024,
			Messages:   messages,
			Model:      anthropic.ModelClaudeSonnet4_20250514,
			MCPServers: mcpServers,
		},
	)
	if err != nil {
		log.Fatalf("request failed: %v", err)
	}

	for _, block := range message.Content {
		textBlock := block.AsText()
		fmt.Println("[assistant]:", textBlock.Text)
	}
}
</CodeGroup> </Tab> <Tab title="OpenAI SDK"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Connect to the Chroma MCP server to search code packages. In this example, we search for class definitions in the `numpy` package from PyPI.</Step> </Steps>
python
from openai import OpenAI

client = OpenAI(
    api_key="<YOUR_OPENAI_API_KEY>"
)

resp = client.responses.create(
    model="gpt-5-chat-latest",
    input="Explain how numpy implements its FFT. Use package search.",
    tools=[
        {
            "type": "mcp",
            "server_label": "package-search",
            "server_url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
            "headers": {
                "x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
            },
            "require_approval": "never",
        }
    ],
)

print(resp)
</Tab> <Tab title="Google Gemini SDK"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Get a Gemini API key in [Google's AI Studio](https://aistudio.google.com/app/apikey)</Step> <Step>Connect the Chroma MCP server with Gemini to enable AI-powered code searches. In this example, we ask Gemini to explain how the Fast Fourier Transform algorithm is implemented in `numpy`, using the Chroma MCP tools to search and analyze the code.</Step> </Steps>
python
import asyncio
from mcp import ClientSession
from mcp.client.streamable_http import streamablehttp_client
from google import genai

client = genai.Client(api_key="<YOUR_GEMINI_API_KEY>")

async def run():
    async with streamablehttp_client(
        "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
        headers={"x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"},
    ) as (read, write, _):
        async with ClientSession(read, write) as session:
            await session.initialize()
            try:
                prompt = f"Explain how numpy implements its FFT. Use package search."
                response = await client.aio.models.generate_content(
                    model="gemini-2.5-flash",
                    contents=prompt,
                    config=genai.types.GenerateContentConfig(
                        temperature=0,
                        tools=[session],
                    ),
                )
                try:
                    if response.text:
                        print("--- Generated Text ---")
                        print(response.text)
                    else:
                        print("Model did not return text.")
                        print(f"Finish Reason: {response.candidates[0].finish_reason.name}")
                except ValueError:
                    print("Could not access response.text.")
            except Exception as e:
                print(f"An error occurred: {e}")

asyncio.run(run())
</Tab> <Tab title="Claude Code"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add the Chroma MCP server to Claude Code with your Chroma API key:</Step> </Steps>
terminal
claude mcp add --transport http package-search https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1 --header "x-chroma-token: <YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
</Tab> <Tab title="Codex"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add the following to your `~/.codex/config.toml` file with your Chroma Cloud API key:</Step> </Steps>
TOML
[mcp_servers.package-search]
command = "npx"
args = ["mcp-remote", "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1", "--header", "x-chroma-token: ${X_CHROMA_TOKEN}"]
env = { "X_CHROMA_TOKEN" = "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>" }
</Tab> <Tab title="Cursor"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>In Cursor's settings, search for "MCP" and add the following configuration with your Chroma Cloud API key:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "package-search": {
      "transport": "streamable_http",
      "url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
      "headers": {
        "x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}
</Tab> <Tab title="Windsurf"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>In Windsurf's settings, search for "MCP" and add the following configuration with your Chroma Cloud API key:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "package-search": {
      "serverUrl": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
      "headers": {
        "x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}
</Tab> <Tab title="Claude Desktop"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add the following to your `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
    "mcpServers": {
      "package-search": {
        "command": "npx",
        "args": ["mcp-remote", "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1", "--header", "x-chroma-token: ${X_CHROMA_TOKEN}"],
        "env": {
          "X_CHROMA_TOKEN": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
        }
      }
    }
}
</Tab> <Tab title="Warp"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add the following to your Warp MCP config. Make sure to click "Start" on the server after adding.</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
    "package-search": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["mcp-remote", "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1", "--header", "x-chroma-token: ${X_CHROMA_TOKEN}"],
      "env": {
        "X_CHROMA_TOKEN": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
}
</Tab> <Tab title="Open Code"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add the following to your `~/.config/opencode/opencode.json` file with your Chroma Cloud API key:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "code-packages": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
      "enabled": true,
      "headers": {
        "x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}
</Tab> <Tab title="Ollama"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Install the `ollmcp` package:</Step> </Steps>
bash
pip install ollmcp
<Steps> <Step>Create an `mcp_config.json` file with the following content and your Chroma Cloud API key:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
	"mcpServers": {
		"code-packages": {
			"type": "streamable_http",
			"url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
			"headers": {
				"x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
			},
			"disabled": false
		}
	}
}
<Steps> <Step>Start an Ollama MCP session with the path to your `mcp_config.json` file and model of choice:</Step> </Steps>
terminal
ollmcp --servers-json <path/to/mcp_config.json> --model <model>
</Tab> <Tab title="MCP SDK"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Connect to the Chroma MCP server to search code packages. In this example, we search for the Fast Fourier Transform function in the `numpy` package from PyPI using the `package_search_grep` tool.</Step> </Steps>
python
import asyncio
from mcp import ClientSession
from mcp.client.streamable_http import streamablehttp_client

async def main():
    async with streamablehttp_client(
        "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
        headers={"x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"},
    ) as (
        read_stream,
        write_stream,
        _,
    ):
        async with ClientSession(read_stream, write_stream) as session:
            await session.initialize()
            tools = await session.list_tools()
            result = await session.call_tool(
                name="package_search_grep",
                arguments={
                    "package_name": "numpy",
                    "registry_name": "py_pi",
                    "pattern": "\bdef fft\b",
                },
            )
            print(f"Got result: {result}")
            print(f"Available tools: {[tool.name for tool in tools.tools]}")

asyncio.run(main())
</Tab> <Tab title="Roo Code"> <Steps> <Step>Visit Chroma's [Package Search](http://trychroma.com/package-search) page.</Step> <Step>Click "Get API Key" to create or log into your Chroma account and issue an API key for Package Search.</Step> <Step>After issuing your API key, click the "Other" tab and copy your API key.</Step> <Step>Add this to your Roo Code MCP server configuration:</Step> </Steps>
JSON
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "code-collections": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://mcp.trychroma.com/package-search/v1",
      "headers": {
        "x-chroma-token": "<YOUR_CHROMA_API_KEY>"
      }
    }
  }
}
</Tab> </Tabs>