Tenets
A tool that builds code context (MCP server, Python library, CLI) to provide high-signal, privacy-preserving project ...
At a glance
Free · Source review 2026-11-02- Price & billing
Official homepage reviewed 2026-11-02: Tenets is presented as a free MCP server, Python library and CLI, with a listed price of $0.
- Free allowance
Official homepage reviewed 2026-11-02: Tenets is presented as a free MCP server, Python library and CLI, with a listed price of $0.
- Best suited to
Developers who want local, ranked code context for AI coding assistants
Fit is editorial guidance, not a measured result.- Platforms
Access: not separately verified. Operating systems not separately verified.
Published-source facts and editorial guidance. No product test is implied. Confirm current conditions before purchase.
No product screenshot is claimed for this listing. Use the official website ↗ to inspect the current interface.
What to know before choosing
Good fit
Developers who want local, ranked code context for AI coding assistants
Limits and trade-offs
Docker image and compose examples are described as coming soon; ML features require the tenets[ml] extra.
Plans and free allowances
Official homepage reviewed 2026-11-02: Tenets is presented as a free MCP server, Python library and CLI, with a listed price of $0.
Evidence
Official homepage ↗ (reviewed 2026-11-02)
Official published page review; no authenticated product test
Dates: Last reviewed 2026-11-02. Last reviewed is the latest source or editorial review date; it is not a content-change date.
A closer look at Tenets
Tenets is a free, local MCP server, Python library and CLI that gives LLM coding assistants high-signal code context, ranked by NLP with BM25, TF-IDF and import graphs, with code never leaving the machine.
Editorial guidance based on published documentation. The workflow below is a suggested starting point, not a measured product result.
When to choose Tenets
- Developers who want AI coding assistants to get ranked, relevant code context
- Teams who want local, private code context without cloud APIs or API keys for core features
When to choose something else
- Users who need a hosted, no-install tool, since Tenets is installed locally via pip
- Developers who need ML features without installing the tenets[ml] extra, since ML features require the tenets[ml] extra
A practical starting workflow
- Install Tenets with pip, such as pip install tenets[mcp] for the MCP server
- Add Tenets to your AI tool's MCP config, such as Cursor or Claude Desktop, and restart the IDE
- Let the assistant call Tenets to distill, rank and analyze code context, or use the CLI to distill, rank, examine and visualize a codebase
Check before committing
- Vendor claims on the official page are not guarantees; actual results, quality and availability must be tested in the product.
- Prices and features may change after this review; recheck the official site before purchase or signup.
Common questions
What is Tenets?
A free MCP server, Python library and CLI for LLM code context, with 100% local NLP-powered code ranking.
How does Tenets rank code?
With BM25, TF-IDF and import graphs, plus structure, path relevance and Git signals, to find the right files automatically.
Does my code leave my machine?
No, everything runs locally, with no cloud APIs and no data leaving the computer, and no API keys for core features.
Which AI tools does Tenets work with?
Native MCP for Cursor, Claude Desktop and Windsurf, plus a CLI and Python library.
Compare approaches for this task
- 0Cody — Developers who want a second pair of eyes while working through unfamiliar code in real time.
- Abliteration — People whose work matches the core job in the description: Unrestricted LLM API with policy-as-code governance for enterprises.
Sources and checks
Last source review is not a date of product testing. No rating or test result is implied by inclusion. Check the current plan and terms before buying.