MCP Network Analyzer

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides intelligent network request capture, analysis, and API pattern discovery. Runs locally over stdio — integrates directly with Claude Desktop.

Features

• Network Traffic Capture — Intercept and record HTTP requests/responses from any website using Playwright
• Intelligent API Discovery — Automatically identify REST patterns, authentication methods, and data structures
• Data Search — Query and search across all captured requests and responses
• Local Storage — All data stored on your computer in a configurable directory
• Data Directory Control — Set your data directory via CLI (--data-dir) or the set_data_directory MCP tool at any time

Requirements

• Node.js >= 18
• Chromium (installed via Playwright — see Quick Start)
• Linux users may need additional system libraries — see Playwright Linux deps

Quick Start

Install from npm

npm install -g mcp-network-analyzer
netcap setup
netcap install

netcap is the short alias for mcp-network-analyzer — both are installed and work identically.

The install command detects installed MCP clients (Claude Desktop, VS Code, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex) and installs the server entry interactively.

Or clone and build from source

git clone https://github.com/kylebrodeur/mcp-network-analyzer.git
cd mcp-network-analyzer
pnpm install
pnpm --filter mcp-network-analyzer build
cd packages/cli
pnpm link --global
netcap setup
netcap install --client claude-desktop

CLI Reference

# First-time setup — interactive wizard and profile management
netcap setup
netcap setup --data-dir /path       # set data directory non-interactively
netcap setup --show-config           # print current config
netcap setup --switch <name>         # switch profiles
netcap setup --list                  # list profiles
netcap setup --reset                 # clear .env/profiles, then re-run setup
netcap setup --install-chromium      # install/reinstall Playwright Chromium

# Status check
netcap status

# Install into an MCP client (interactive client picker)
netcap install
netcap install --client claude-desktop   # skip the picker
netcap install --client vscode           # VS Code user settings
netcap install --client vscode-workspace # workspace .vscode/mcp.json
netcap install --client claude-code      # Claude Code CLI (user scope)
netcap install --client gemini           # Gemini CLI
netcap install --client codex            # OpenAI Codex

# Reset config / data
netcap reset

# Serve mode
netcap serve                         # stdio (default)
netcap serve --mode stdio            # force stdio
netcap serve --mode http             # HTTP mode (requires pro package)

mcp-network-analyzer is also available as a full-length alias.

MCP Tools

| Tool | Description | | --- | --- | | capture_network_requests | Launch browser, capture HTTP traffic from a URL | | analyze_captured_data | Extract REST patterns, auth methods, content types | | discover_api_patterns | Deep pattern analysis — pagination, data models, relationships | | search_exported_data | Full-text search across captured requests and responses | | list_analyses | Query stored analyses with optional filters | | list_discoveries | Query stored discoveries with optional filters | | get_database_stats | Get aggregate database statistics | | get_server_config | View current data directory and storage stats | | set_data_directory | Change data directory at runtime (persisted to .env) | | get_help | Usage guide and workflow overview | | list_session_ids | List captures, analyses, and discoveries for one session | | get_next_session_ids | List IDs in one session that are ready for the next phase |

Typical Workflow

1. capture_network_requests  → Browse to your target URL, record all traffic
2. analyze_captured_data     → Group endpoints, detect auth, summarize
3. discover_api_patterns     → Identify REST patterns, pagination, data models
4. search_exported_data      → Query specific requests or responses

Configuration

Data is stored in ./mcp-network-data/ by default (relative to wherever the server runs). Override with:

# In .env
MCP_NETWORK_ANALYZER_DATA=/your/custom/path

Or at runtime via the set_data_directory MCP tool, or:

pnpm run setup -- --data-dir /your/custom/path

Troubleshooting

Browser won't launch

netcap setup --install-chromium
# Linux: npx playwright install-deps chromium

Build errors after updating

pnpm run clean && pnpm run build

Claude Desktop doesn't show the server

• Run netcap install --client claude-desktop then fully restart Claude Desktop (quit from system tray)
• Verify the config at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS)

"Cloud storage is not yet implemented"

• Set MCP_STORAGE_MODE=local in .env (or remove it — local is the default)

License

MIT — see LICENSE