Supercharge Your JetBrains IDE with MCP Proxy: A Comprehensive Guide

Unlock the full power of your JetBrains IDE with the JetBrains MCP Proxy, a vital tool for seamless integration with other applications like Claude Desktop, LibreChat, and more. Are you experiencing connection issues or struggling to configure the MCP proxy? This guide provides you with the step-by-step solutions and configuration tweaks you need for a smooth, efficient workflow.

What is JetBrains MCP Proxy and Why Do You Need It?

The JetBrains MCP (Machine Code Proxy) Server acts as a bridge, relaying requests between your IDE and client applications. This enables powerful features like remote debugging, code completion, and more, directly within your external tools.

Seamless Integration: Connect your IDE with Claude Desktop, LibreChat, and other platforms.
Boost Productivity: Enables advanced features across different applications for a streamlined workflow.
Customizable Configuration: Tailor the proxy to your specific needs and development environment by configuring JetBrains MCP with external clients.

Setting up MCP Proxy with Claude Desktop: A Quick Start

Integrating the JetBrains MCP Proxy with Claude Desktop is straightforward. Simply add the following configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "jetbrains": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@jetbrains/mcp-proxy"]
    }
  }
}

On macOS, find the file at: ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
On Windows, locate it at: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Advanced Configuration: Fine-Tuning Your MCP Proxy

To optimize your JetBrains MCP Proxy setup, consider these advanced configurations:

Specify IDE Port: If running multiple IDEs, ensure the proxy connects to the correct one by setting IDE_PORT in your configuration.
```
"env": {
  "IDE_PORT": "<port of IDE's built-in webserver>"
}
```
Define Host Address: By default, the proxy connects to 127.0.0.1. To use a different address, specify the HOST environment variable.
```
"env": {
  "HOST": "<host/address of IDE's built-in webserver>"
}
```
Enable Logging: For debugging and troubleshooting, enable logging with:
```
"env": {
  "LOG_ENABLED": "true"
}
```

Troubleshooting Common MCP Proxy Issues

Encountering problems? Here are some common issues and their solutions:

Node.js Version Compatibility

Problem: Cannot find module 'node:path' error.

Solution: The JetBrains MCP Proxy requires Node.js version 18 or later. Upgrade your Node.js installation and ensure your configuration points to the correct version.

MacOS: Plugin Unable to Detect Node.js Installed via nvm

Problem: MCP Server Plugin fails to detect Node.js installed via Node Version Manager (nvm).

Solution: Create a symbolic link:

which npx &> /dev/null && sudo ln -sf "$(which npx)" /usr/local/bin/npx

This command creates a symbolic link in /usr/local/bin pointing to your nvm npx executable.

Connecting from External Clients or Docker Containers (LibreChat, Cline, etc.)

Problem: 404 errors or connection failures when connecting from external clients, Docker containers, or third-party applications like LibreChat.

Solution: You need to enable external connections and properly configure the proxy with your LAN IP and port.

Enable External Connections: In your JetBrains IDE, navigate to Settings | Build, Execution, Deployment | Debugger and enable "Can accept external connections".
Configure with LAN IP and Port: Use your machine's LAN IP address instead of host.docker.internal. Explicitly set the IDE_PORT and HOST in your configuration.
```
mcpServers:
  intellij:
    type: stdio
    command: sh
    args:
      - "-c"
      - "IDE_PORT=YOUR_IDEA_PORT HOST=YOUR_IDEA_LAN_IP npx -y @jetbrains/mcp-proxy"
```
Replace YOUR_IDEA_PORT with your IDE's debug port and YOUR_IDEA_LAN_IP with your computer's local network IP (e.g., 192.168.0.12).

Building the MCP Proxy from Source

For developers who want to contribute or customize the JetBrains MCP Proxy, here's how to build it:

Install Dependencies:
```
brew install node pnpm # macOS
```
Build the Project:
```
pnpm build
```

Maximize Your Development Potential

By following this guide, you can effectively set up, configure, and troubleshoot the JetBrains MCP Proxy. This powerful tool unlocks seamless integration and boosts your productivity across your development workflow. Start connecting and coding smarter today!