apktool-mcp-server for Claude Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with apktool-mcp-server in Claude Code

Pick it for an Apktool-backed MCP workflow spanning manifest review, smali edits, and APK rebuilding.

• Review Android manifests and declared permissions
• Rebuild an APK after permitted project modifications

Before you start: apktool-mcp-server in Claude Code

• Python 3.10 or later
• uv
• Apktool installed and available in the environment
• A local project checkout or release download

Uses the Cherry Studio stdio example. Replace the project-directory placeholder. The README offers uv pip install httpx fastmcp if dependencies need manual installation.

apktool-mcp-server Claude Code configuration

1. Choose Claude Code configuration scope

   For apktool-mcp-server, open Project scope: .mcp.json at the repository root. Project JSON: merge into mcpServers; user scope: use the CLI.

2. Add apktool-mcp-server to Claude Code

   Use the apktool-mcp-server entry below in mcpServers. Keep apktool-mcp-server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Claude Code entries.

3. Check apktool-mcp-server in Claude Code

   apktool-mcp-server: Inspect claude mcp list and /mcp status.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apktool-mcp-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "path/to/apktool-mcp-server",
        "run",
        "apktool_mcp_server.py"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json --scope project 'apktool-mcp-server' '{"type":"stdio","command":"uv","args":["--directory","path/to/apktool-mcp-server","run","apktool_mcp_server.py"],"env":{}}'

apktool-mcp-server tools available to Claude Code

apktool-mcp-server's stored tool list documents 13 tools; compare it with Claude Code's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

build_apk

For apktool-mcp-server's build_apk, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

get_manifest

For apktool-mcp-server's get_manifest, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

get_apktool_yml

For apktool-mcp-server's get_apktool_yml, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Inspect Apktool project metadata.

list_smali_directories

For apktool-mcp-server's list_smali_directories, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Enumerate smali directories in a decoded project.

list_smali_files

For apktool-mcp-server's list_smali_files, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

List smali files with an optional package-prefix filter.

get_smali_file

For apktool-mcp-server's get_smali_file, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Read smali code for a named class.

modify_smali_file

For apktool-mcp-server's modify_smali_file, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

list_resources

For apktool-mcp-server's list_resources, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

get_resource_file

For apktool-mcp-server's get_resource_file, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

modify_resource_file

For apktool-mcp-server's modify_resource_file, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

search_in_file

For apktool-mcp-server's search_in_file, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Find a pattern in files matching specified extensions.

clean_project

For apktool-mcp-server's clean_project, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Clean a project before rebuilding.

decode_apk

For apktool-mcp-server's decode_apk, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Decode an APK into resources and smali code with Apktool.

apktool-mcp-server: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting apktool-mcp-server in Claude Code

• If apktool-mcp-server fails to start, check uv, the working directory, and Claude Code's selected scope; inspect claude mcp list and /mcp.
• apktool-mcp-server uses stdio here: Claude Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Requires a separately installed Apktool environment
• Known limitation: Client testing is reported for Claude Desktop, with others pending
• Known limitation: Usage is restricted to authorized analysis
• General Claude Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/claude-code guide.

Frequently asked questions