booklib-ai/booklib/booklib-mcp-guide

BookLib MCP Tool Guide

BookLib exposes 5 MCP tools to AI coding agents. Each tool has a single purpose. This guide covers when to call each one, what parameters to pass, and common workflows.

Tool Reference

Decision Tree

Need current docs for a post-training library  -> lookup
Need a full expert review of a file            -> review
User wants to save a decision or insight       -> remember
Code uses unknown imports                      -> verify
Code might violate team rules                  -> guard

Tool Details

lookup

Searches across post-training corrections, team knowledge, and expert skills. Returns structured principles with source citations.

Parameters:

• query (string, required): What you need to know. Include the library name and task.
• file (string): Path to the file being worked on. Adds language and component context.
• limit (number): Maximum results. Default: 3.
• source (enum: all/skills/knowledge): Filter by source type.

Prioritization order: (1) post-training gap corrections, (2) team knowledge nodes, (3) expert skill principles.

review

Audits a file against a named skill's principles. Returns structured findings with line references and citations.

Parameters:

• skill_name (string, required): The skill to review against (e.g., "effective-kotlin", "clean-code-reviewer").
• file_path (string, required): Path to the file to review.

remember

Creates a searchable knowledge node. Automatically indexed and auto-linked to related nodes.

Parameters:

• title (string, required): Short descriptive title.
• content (string): Detailed description in markdown.
• type (enum: insight/decision/pattern/note/research): Node type. Default: "insight".
• tags (string): Comma-separated tags.
• links (string): Link targets as "target:edge-type" pairs.

verify

Checks if a file's imports are covered by BookLib's index. Flags unknown post-training APIs that may need current docs.

Parameters:

• file_path (string, required): Path to the source file.

Returns: list of unknown imports with suggested documentation URLs.

guard

Checks if code contradicts captured team decisions. Compares code patterns against decision nodes.

Parameters:

• file_path (string, required): Path to the source file.

Returns: list of contradictions with the violated decision and source.

Common Workflows

1. Gap detection and resolution

verify file.ts            -> finds unknown import "@stripe/stripe-js"
lookup "stripe js v5 api" -> returns current v5 docs
                          -> write correct code using current API

2. Team knowledge enforcement

write code                -> make architectural choice
guard file.ts             -> flags: contradicts "use PaymentIntents not Charges"
                          -> fix the violation, commit

3. Knowledge capture during work

discover a useful pattern -> remember "retry with exponential backoff" --type pattern
make a team decision      -> remember "use PaymentIntents not Charges" --type decision

Anti-Patterns

• Don't call `lookup` for standard patterns. React hooks, Python builtins, Go stdlib -- you already know these. Only call for project-specific or post-training knowledge.
• Don't call `verify` on stdlib imports. Standard library imports are always known. Only check third-party imports.
• Don't call `remember` for ephemeral notes. Only capture durable decisions, patterns, and insights that future sessions should know about.
• Don't call `review` without a specific skill. The skill_name parameter is required -- pick the most relevant one or use "clean-code-reviewer" as default.
• Don't over-call tools. One lookup per topic is enough. Don't repeat the same query hoping for different results.

CLI-Only Commands (Not MCP Tools)

These features are available via the booklib CLI but not exposed as MCP tools:

• booklib connect <path> -- connect a documentation source
• booklib connect github releases <repo> -- index GitHub changelogs
• booklib connect notion database <id> -- index Notion pages
• booklib link <from> <to> --type <edge> -- connect two knowledge nodes
• booklib save-state --goal "..." --next "..." -- save session for handoff
• booklib nodes list / booklib nodes show <id> -- list and inspect knowledge
• booklib gaps / booklib resolve-gaps -- detect and fix knowledge gaps
• booklib analyze -- show affected files and post-training APIs
• booklib doctor -- health check