I Built a CLI That Gives Your LLM Accurate Library Docs — No MCP Server Needed

The author encountered the problem of AI assistants providing outdated or incorrect API documentation when building with modern frameworks, specifically with Next.js 15. Context7, a tool leveraging source repository indexing, addresses this by providing version-specific documentation through an MCP server. However, the MCP server requires a compatible client, limiting its usage in environments like the terminal or scripts. The solution is c7, a command-line interface (CLI) that retrieves documentation from the same Context7 database. C7 outputs plain text, allowing for easy integration with various tools and workflows. The CLI resolves library names to Context7 IDs and fetches documentation using the Context7 v2 API. C7's core functionality is achieved with minimal code and zero dependencies, making it lightweight and simple. Its power lies in its ability to be piped into LLMs, Unix tools, and scripts, enabling diverse use cases. The author highlights the advantages of c7 over the MCP server, particularly its versatility and ease of use in different environments. C7 and MCP server complement each other, with the latter suitable within editors and the former in the broader development lifecycle. The author encourages usage with simple installation instructions and provides links to the project's resources. Finally, it's designed to save developers from AI-hallucinated API implementations.