search_docsLABSCO SUMMARY
Nothing leaves the machine, and the answer comes from the version you installed.
Two things follow from reading Dash's own databases. Documentation you have downloaded is available with no network and no rate limit, and the answer matches the docset version on your disk rather than whatever the model absorbed. The one thing to know going in is that search_docs wants an exact name, not keywords — list_frameworks and list_entries are how you find the name when you do not have it.
What it is
A bridge between Dash and an AI client. It queries the docset databases on disk directly, so documentation lookups happen locally and instantly rather than as a search-and-scrape.
What you get
search_docssearches by exact name inside a docset, with an optional language filter, ranked exact before prefix before substringlist_available_docsetsandlist_available_cheatsheetsshow what is actually installed on your machinelist_frameworkslists frameworks and types inside a docset;list_typeslists the entry kinds — Class, Protocol, Function and so onlist_entriesfilters entries by type and name prefix;list_languagesandlist_docsets_by_languagecross-reference by languagesearch_cheatsheetsearches inside a cheatsheet;list_cheatsheet_categoriesandfetch_cheatsheetbrowse or pull one whole- Eleven tools in all, over 165+ supported docsets, with framework and class results carrying drilldown notes for exploring members
Requirements
macOS, since Dash is Mac-only, with Dash installed and the docsets you want already downloaded. Python 3.10 or higher and the uv package manager. Run it as uvx docsetmcp with no install step, or pip install docsetmcp. DOCSET_PATH and CHEATSHEET_PATH override the default Dash directories, and --additional-docset-paths searches several locations at once.
Setup effort
One command — pip install docsetmcp
USE CASES
01
Looking up an API mid-conversation
Get the real documentation for a symbol without leaving the chat or opening a browser.
02
Exploring a framework you do not know
List its types and entries, then drill into the members that look relevant.
03
Remembering the flag for a command
Search the git, vim or docker cheatsheet by category instead of guessing.
04
Finding docs for a language across docsets
Ask which docsets cover a language and search inside the one that fits.
11 tools
Listed in project docs. Your client may show a different list.
search_cheatsheetlist_available_docsetslist_available_cheatsheetslist_frameworkslist_languageslist_docsets_by_languagelist_typeslist_entrieslist_cheatsheet_categoriesfetch_cheatsheetBEFORE YOU INSTALL
What to know first
Tools you get
11 tools named in the project's documentation.
Requires
- macOS (Dash is Mac-only)
- Dash with the docsets you want downloaded
- Python 3.10 or higher
- uvx on PATH
Where it runs
All 5 documented clients run the server on your machine.
INSTALLATION
Connect your client
Server setup
TERMINAL
pip install docsetmcpMCP Clients
Claude Desktop
CLAUDE DESKTOP · JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"docsetmcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"docsetmcp"
]
}
}
}This uses Dash's default folders (~/Library/Application Support/Dash/DocSets and ~/Library/Application Support/Dash/Cheat Sheets). If yours are elsewhere, add "env": {"DOCSET_PATH": "…", "CHEATSHEET_PATH": "…"} with the real folders.
Claude Code
CLAUDE CODE · TERMINAL
claude mcp add docsetmcp -- uvx docsetmcpCursor, Windsurf
JSON
{
"mcpServers": {
"docsetmcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"docsetmcp"
]
}
}
}VS Code
VS CODE · JSON
{
"servers": {
"docsetmcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"docsetmcp"
]
}
}
}
