ref-mcp

Overview

Ref.tools MCP Server

State-of-the-art documentation search with 60-95% fewer tokens than context7/fetch alternatives.

Key benefits:

• Context-aware deduplication (doesn't repeat docs in same session)
• Focused snippets instead of full pages
• 8,500+ libraries indexed with version-specific docs

When to Use

• Effect-TS: APIs change frequently, training data outdated
• Any library where unsure of current API
• Before writing code with external imports
• When user asks "how do I use X?"
• Verifying function signatures and parameters

Trigger Phrase

use ref - how do I create an Effect Layer?

Tools

mcp__ref__search

Search for documentation on any library or topic.

mcp__ref__search({
  query: "Effect Layer composition",
  library: "effect-ts"  // optional: focus on specific library
})

Returns focused documentation snippets with:

• Code examples
• API signatures
• Best practices

Usage Patterns

Before Implementing New Feature

1. Search for library-specific patterns
2. Review returned snippets
3. Implement following documented patterns

Effect-TS (Critical)

The Effect API changes frequently. Training data is outdated.

Always query ref before writing Effect code:

mcp__ref__search({
  query: "Effect.gen usage patterns",
  library: "effect-ts"
})

Token Efficiency

Ref automatically deduplicates within a session - repeated queries for same docs return minimal tokens.