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Codanna is a local code intelligence and semantic code search MCP server for AI coding agents. Symbol search, semantic search, call graphs, dependency tracking, document RAG. Rust, 15 languages.

Built for Rapid Exploration

Codanna came from our need for rapid research and exploration with proper context. During R&D, quick POCs, and pair-programming sessions, we needed instant answers about our codebase. LSP servers were too slow for that rapid-fire questioning. Speed for iterative exploration: When you’re in research mode or building a POC, you ask dozens of questions rapidly. Codanna’s <10ms lookups keep up with your thought process. Human+LLM pair programming: The human stays in control. You can run the same queries the AI runs, pipe results through Unix tools, verify context before the AI acts. The --watch flag means the index updates as you code. Semantic understanding: Find code by concept - “where’s the retry logic?” - without knowing exact names. Embedding-based search understands what code does from its documentation.

Why Codanna

Find code by meaning

Search by concept, not keywords.

Trace relationships

Know what breaks before you change it.

Works with your AI

MCP integration with your favorite AI stack.

See it work

One MCP call returns the matching symbol, its signature and docstring, the call graph in both directions with exact call sites, and the impact radius — no follow-up grep, file reads, or recursive tool calls. Every listed edge is resolution-verified: codanna reports the two calls it can prove, not every name in scope.

Capabilities

Works with

Codanna runs over MCP (stdio or HTTP) and composes inside Agent Skills (open standard, agentskills.io). Documented client configurations:
  • Claude Code — .mcp.json (stdio or HTTP)
  • Claude Desktop — claude_desktop_config.json
  • Cursor — .cursor/mcp.json
  • Codex CLI — ~/.codex/config.toml
  • OpenCode — opencode.json
  • Goose — ~/.config/goose/config.yaml
  • Gemini CLI — gemini mcp add codanna ...
See MCP Persistent for full configuration snippets.

Get Started

More install options (Homebrew, Cargo, Nix) in the installation guide. See releases for the latest version.

Installation

Install and index your first project.

Semantic Search

Search code by concept.