TypeScript Definition Finder MCP Server

Overview

The TypeScript Definition Finder MCP Server is a lightweight service that bridges AI code editors and TypeScript projects by locating the original source of any symbol—whether it originates from a local file, an external package, or a module within . In modern TypeScript development, navigating large codebases quickly is essential; this server gives AI assistants a reliable mechanism to resolve symbols on demand, eliminating the need for manual searches or IDE‑specific tooling.

At its core, the server exposes a single tool, , which accepts the absolute file path of the current TypeScript source, the exact line containing the symbol, and the column number where that symbol starts. By matching these three pieces of context, the server parses the project’s compiled type declarations (or source files) to identify the symbol’s declaration location. The response includes a file path, line and column numbers, and an excerpt of the code snippet surrounding the definition. This information is perfectly suited for AI assistants to present concise, actionable feedback—such as “Here’s where is defined” or “Open this file at line 9 to view the implementation.”

For developers integrating AI into their workflows, the server’s stdio interface is a decisive advantage. It allows any AI code editor that supports Model Context Protocol to spawn the service as an external process and communicate via standard input/output, without embedding complex language server logic. This makes the tool highly portable across editors like Claude Desktop, VS Code extensions, or custom IDEs that expose MCP endpoints.

Typical use cases include:

• Refactoring assistance: An AI assistant can suggest safer refactors by first confirming the exact definition of a symbol.
• Documentation generation: Automatically pull in code snippets and file locations when compiling inline docs or tooltips.
• Educational tooling: Students learning TypeScript can click a symbol and instantly see its definition, fostering deeper understanding.
• Debugging support: Quickly jump to the source of a function or class referenced in a stack trace.

Unique advantages lie in its minimal footprint and the precision of its API. By requiring an exact line and column, it sidesteps ambiguity that can arise in large files with repeated identifiers. The server also handles symbols imported from external packages, providing paths that resolve into , which is often a pain point for AI tools that lack full project context. Overall, this MCP server equips developers with a dependable bridge between their TypeScript projects and AI assistants, streamlining code navigation and enhancing productivity.