Enables AI coding assistants to request second opinions, code reviews, and plan critiques from different LLM providers.
Also known as Lykhoyda/ask-llm, @ask-llm/codex-mcp
- Stars
- 20
- Tools
- —
- Downloads, 30 days
- 506
- Latest version
- 0.9.0
- Last commit
- Nov 13, 2026
- License
- MIT
What is Ask LLM MCP?
Ask LLM enables AI coding assistants to request second opinions, code reviews, and plan critiques from different LLM providers.
Summary generated from the project's README
About Ask LLM MCP server
Requesting a second opinion on code or architectural plans from a different LLM provider is what ask-codex enables for developers. It allows users to consult a different vendor's model to review changes or challenge a plan without needing to copy-paste code or manage new API keys. Instead, it uses the model subscriptions you already have through existing CLI tools and accounts.
This server works locally on Linux or macOS using Node.js 24+. It connects various hosts, such as Claude Code, Cursor, or Gemini CLI, to different providers like Codex, Grok, Antigravity, or Ollama. While the assistant you are currently using remains the editor, the selected provider acts as a reviewer. For example, you can use Claude Code as your primary assistant and ask it to consult Codex for a security review.
Setup involves running a command to configure connections between your installed and signed-in tools. Users can opt into per-edit pairing for ongoing feedback in certain environments like Grok Build or Pi. The system uses read-only controls for most reviews to ensure the primary assistant maintains control over the codebase.
What you can do with it
- 1Security and bug reviewsAsk a different model to inspect your staged changes for security vulnerabilities or missing error handling.
- 2Challenging architectural plansRequest a critique of a proposed technical plan to identify potential failures or simpler alternatives.
Written from the project's README. Every use case is checked against a quote from it.
How to install Ask LLM MCP
Formats verified 10 Nov 2026Add to CursorAdd to GooseInstall Ask LLM MCP in Claude Code
$ claude mcp add ask-codex -- npx -y @ask-llm/codex-mcpInstall Ask LLM MCP in Cursor
~/.cursor/mcp.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ask-codex": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@ask-llm/codex-mcp"
]
}
}
}Install Ask LLM MCP in VS Code
.vscode/mcp.json
{
"servers": {
"ask-codex": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@ask-llm/codex-mcp"
]
}
}
}Install Ask LLM MCP in VS Code CLI
$ code --add-mcp '{"name":"ask-codex","type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","@ask-llm/codex-mcp"]}'Install Ask LLM MCP in Claude Desktop
claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ask-codex": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@ask-llm/codex-mcp"
]
}
}
}Install Ask LLM MCP in Codex
$ codex mcp add ask-codex -- npx -y @ask-llm/codex-mcpInstall Ask LLM MCP in Codex config.toml
~/.codex/config.toml
[mcp_servers.ask-codex] command = "npx" args = ["-y", "@ask-llm/codex-mcp"]
Install Ask LLM MCP in Gemini CLI
$ gemini mcp add -s user ask-codex npx -- -y @ask-llm/codex-mcpInstall Ask LLM MCP in Gemini settings.json
~/.gemini/settings.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ask-codex": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@ask-llm/codex-mcp"
]
}
}
}Configuration
GMCPT_LOG_LEVELLog verbosity: debug, info, warn, error (default: warn)
GMCPT_TIMEOUT_MSTimeout for Codex CLI execution in milliseconds (default: 300000 = 5 minutes)
| Name | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| GMCPT_LOG_LEVEL | Log verbosity: debug, info, warn, error (default: warn) | |
| GMCPT_TIMEOUT_MS | Timeout for Codex CLI execution in milliseconds (default: 300000 = 5 minutes) |
Automated checks
Ran Nov 12, 2026Full report →Passed our automated checks. That is not a security audit: read the code and give the server the narrowest access it needs. How checks work
- Source repository linked and reachablePass
- Open source license (OSI)Pass
- Commit or release in the last yearPass
- Package name not close to a popular packagePass
- Remote endpoint uses HTTPSNot checked
- Destructive tools are labelledNot checked
- No hidden instructions to the modelPass
- No critical advisory in the package or its dependenciesPass
README
View on GitHubAsk LLM
Second opinions for coding agents.
Get a second opinion on your code or plan, inside your coding assistant, using the model subscriptions you already have.
For individual developers and small teams who already use a coding assistant and pay for another model subscription: ask a different vendor's model to review your changes or challenge your plan, without API keys, copy-paste, or leaving the session.
You: ask codex to review src/auth.ts for security issues
Codex: ⚠ verifyToken() compares tokens with === — not timing-safe (line 42)
⚠ the session cookie is missing a SameSite attribute
Claude: Good catches — applying both fixes to src/auth.ts.
Install
You need Node.js 24+ on Linux or macOS. Before your first review, both your coding assistant (for example Claude Code) and the provider you will consult (for example Codex) must be installed and signed in. Ask LLM configures the connection; it does not install providers or sign you in. If a provider CLI such as Codex has never been signed in on this machine, sign in first and rerun setup.
npm i -g @ask-llm/mcp && ask-llm setup
Setup asks you to confirm each detected host and workflow. Inspect the preview, confirm your assistant's registration and workflows, decline the others, then follow any printed manual steps. Restart your assistant or start a new session in your project.
Your first review
With both Claude Code and Codex installed and signed in, open Claude Code in your project and ask:
Ask Codex to review my staged changes for bugs and missing error handling. Check each finding against the source before proposing fixes.
Working in Codex with a Claude subscription? Ask Claude instead. Choose a provider from a different vendor than your current assistant. A successful review names the reviewer and model, cites relevant code, and reports findings or says it found none. Your assistant applies changes after you decide what to accept. If the request fails, run ask-llm doctor and follow the troubleshooting guide for your selected assistant and reviewer. Warnings about providers you do not use do not require installing them or adding API keys.
For plans, try: “Ask Claude to challenge this plan: what assumptions could fail, and what simpler approach would fit our constraints?”
After an on-demand review, pair review can add ongoing feedback. Pairing requires explicit opt-in; setup leaves it off. Grok CLI supports a per-edit hook with Codex Sol by default or Claude Opus 5.5 via reviewer: claude; shell reviews cover command text only.
Supported hosts
A host is the assistant you work in; a provider is the model you consult.
| Host | Experience |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | Reviews, plan critique, comparisons; isolated reviewers and opt-in per-edit pairing |
| Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI | Tools and portable workflows; pairing on demand |
| Grok Build | Tools and portable workflows; opt-in per-edit pairing |
| Antigravity | Tools; setup prints a manual step for workflows |
| Pi 0.83.0+ | Native tools and portable workflows; opt-in per-edit pairing |
| Claude Desktop | Tools only |
| OpenCode | Tools and portable workflows; setup verified with fixtures only |
See host compatibility for the complete matrix and manual setup limits, including existing Codex registrations.
Supported providers
| Provider | Access |
|---|---|
| Codex | Your authenticated Codex CLI/account |
| Claude | Your authenticated Claude Code account; consult it from a host other than Claude Code |
| Grok | Authenticated Grok Build, an exact Cursor model, or the explicit metered xAI API option |
| Antigravity | Your authenticated agy subscription; execution is off by default, and opt-in has no read-only guarantee |
| Ollama | Local models on your machine |
| Gemini | An eligible Gemini Code Assist Standard/Enterprise seat |
Cursor Agent can also consult exact models from your Cursor catalog. It is a connection route, with usage governed by your Cursor plan.
Trust and cost
Review runs use read-only provider controls; the assistant you work in remains the editor. Antigravity refuses execution until explicitly enabled and cannot guarantee read-only access after opt-in. Review only material you are allowed to share with the selected provider.
Calls consume your existing provider plan's quota or follow that account's billing. Grok's xAI API is a separate, metered option requiring an API key; Ask LLM never enables billing or overage for you. Ollama supports local inference. Ask LLM sends no telemetry; provider and host data policies still apply.
Agreement between models is not proof of correctness. Validate findings against the code, tests, and your requirements. See data flow and costs and fallbacks.
Migrating from @ask-llm/*
Follow the migration guide before retiring earlier registrations.
Upgrade or remove · Troubleshooting · Documentation
Contributions: CONTRIBUTING.md. Licensed under MIT.
Ask LLM MCP questions
How do I add Ask LLM MCP to Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add ask-codex -- npx -y @ask-llm/codex-mcp in your terminal. Add --scope user to make it available in every project.
How do I add Ask LLM MCP to Cursor?
Open ~/.cursor/mcp.json and add the server under mcpServers, using the Cursor config shown in the install section above.
How do I install Ask LLM?
You can install it via npm using the command npm i -g @ask-llm/mcp && ask-llm setup on Linux or macOS with Node.js 24+.
Does Ask LLM provide its own API keys?
No, it uses the model subscriptions and authenticated CLI tools you already have installed on your machine.
Does using this service cost extra?
Calls consume your existing provider plan's quota or follow that account's billing.