lcp-usage

LCP Usage

Use Library Context Protocol (LCP) MCP servers as a ground-truth reference for Python library APIs. LCP captures every public symbol, signature, and docstring; the MCP server exposes it through browsable, searchable tools.

If a library name is provided via arguments, resolve it immediately and follow the appropriate workflow below:

resolve_library("$ARGUMENTS")

Two server modes

1. Universal server (lcp serve-all)

The lcp MCP server (provided by this plugin) handles any library:

1. Call resolve_library("package_name") to load a library.
2. Use the standard tools to explore it.
3. The last resolved library is the implicit default; pass library= to target a specific one.

2. Per-library server (lcp serve)

If a dedicated server is connected, it follows the naming convention lcp-<library-name> (e.g. lcp-requests, lcp-numpy). These servers don't require resolve_library — they're pre-loaded with one library's manifest.

Detection order

1. Check if the lcp universal server is connected — use resolve_library + standard tools.
2. Check if a per-library lcp-<name> server is connected — use standard tools directly (no resolve_library).
3. If neither: suggest the user run claude mcp add lcp -- lcp serve-all.

Recommended workflow

Universal server

resolve_library("requests")          # step 1: always required
get_manifest()                       # step 2: confirm version
list_modules()                       # step 3: find relevant area
list_symbols(module="requests")      # step 4: browse candidates
get_symbol("requests:get")           # step 5: verify exact signature

Per-library server

get_manifest()                       # step 1: confirm library + version
list_modules()                       # step 2: find relevant area
list_symbols(module="...", kind="class")
get_symbol("module:Symbol")          # step 3: verify exact signature

Tool reference

Tool	Purpose
resolve_library(name)	Universal server only — load a library (cache or live scan)
list_libraries()	Universal server only — list all loaded libraries
get_usage_guide()	Workflow, tips, and common mistakes
get_manifest(library?)	Library name, version, language
list_modules(library?)	All module paths
list_symbols(library?, module?, kind?)	Browse symbols
get_symbol(id, library?)	Full signature — verify before every API call
get_class_members(id, library?)	All methods/attributes of a class
explore_return_type(id, library?)	Methods available on returned objects
search_symbols(query, library?)	Text search (expensive)
get_suggestions(task, library?)	Task-based suggestions

Common mistakes

• Forgetting resolve_library when using the universal lcp server.
• Starting with search_symbols instead of list_modules → list_symbols.
• Using a symbol without calling get_symbol first — wrong parameters guaranteed.
• Inventing methods on returned objects — always check explore_return_type.