Angular CLI MCP Server: The Complete Guide to All Available Tools

How Angular just revolutionized AI-assisted development with Model Context Protocol.

Angular CLI 20.2 quietly introduced something that could fundamentally change how we develop Angular applications: Model Context Protocol (MCP) server functionality. If you’re wondering what tools are available and how to use them, you’re in the right place.

If you want to learn more about the beginning of the MCP servers and how Angular integrated its own, you can do it here.

Prerequisites & Core Concept

Before diving into the tools, it is essential to understand the roles of the three main components and what you need to get started:

Essential Prerequisites

• Node.js & npm: The Angular CLI MCP server is a Node.js process, so ensure you have a recent version of Node.js (v18 or newer is typically recommended).

• Angular CLI: The server functionality is built into the latest versions of the Angular CLI (@angular/cli).

• A Compatible AI Client: You must be using an IDE or editor with an AI agent that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), such as VS Code (with GitHub Copilot/Agent mode) or Cursor.

Configure your MCP following the official Angular MCP guide.

Important: Two Ways to Configure

Throughout this guide, you’ll see two ways to enable tools and modes:

1. Command Line - For testing or one-time use:

ng mcp --read-only -E modernize

2. Configuration File - For persistent setup in your IDE:

{
   “servers”: {
     “angular-cli”: {
       “command”: “npx”,
       “args”: [”-y”, “@angular/cli”, “mcp”, “--read-only”, “-E”, “modernize”]
     }
   }
}

Most users will use the configuration file approach as it persists across IDE sessions.