Multi-agent coordination MCP server. Lets multiple AI agents safely edit the same codebase simultaneously using file locking, messaging, and shared plans.
⚠️ The server must be running before any agent — or the VSCode extension — can connect.
Run it with npx, which always fetches the latest published version (no global install required):
npx -y too-many-cooks@latestIt listens on http://localhost:4040. Override the port with TMC_PORT=5050 npx -y too-many-cooks@latest, and set TMC_WORKSPACE to target a specific workspace folder (defaults to process.cwd()).
Or start it from the VSCode extension: open the Command Palette and run Too Many Cooks: Choose Connection Mode → Start Local Server. The extension launches the same npx server for you.
With the server running, point your agent at it:
# Claude Code (Streamable HTTP transport)
claude mcp add --transport http too-many-cooks http://localhost:4040/mcpThe companion extension shows a live dashboard of agents, locks, messages, and plans — and can start the server for you.
- From the editor: open the Extensions view, search Too Many Cooks (publisher
Nimblesite), and install. - From the command line:
code --install-extension Nimblesite.too-many-cooks - From a
.vsixfile: Extensions view →⋯menu → Install from VSIX…
Then run Too Many Cooks: Choose Connection Mode → Start Local Server to launch the server and connect in one step.
| Package | Description |
|---|---|
| too-many-cooks | MCP server + data layer (TypeScript/Node.js) |
| too_many_cooks_vscode_extension | VSCode extension for monitoring agent coordination |
- File locking - agents acquire/release locks to prevent conflicting edits
- Messaging - agents communicate intent and coordinate via messages
- Plans - agents publish plans so others can see what's happening
- Admin dashboard - VSCode extension with tree views for agents, locks, messages, and plans
- Real-time push - state changes delivered via MCP Streamable HTTP transport
See the spec for the full protocol specification.
MIT