apktool-mcp-server for Windsurf: Setup & Config

What you can do with apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf

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

• Inspect and search smali code during authorized assessments
• Rebuild an APK after permitted project modifications

Before you start: apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf

• 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 Windsurf configuration

1. Choose Windsurf configuration scope

   For apktool-mcp-server, open macOS/Linux: ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.codeium\windsurf\mcp_config.json. Merge into mcpServers; remote endpoints use serverUrl.

2. Add apktool-mcp-server to Windsurf

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

3. Check apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf

   apktool-mcp-server: Refresh MCP in Windsurf settings and inspect Cascade’s tools.

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

apktool-mcp-server tools available to Windsurf

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

build_apk

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for build_apk.

Build an APK from a decoded Apktool project.

get_manifest

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for get_manifest.

Read the decoded Android manifest.

get_apktool_yml

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for get_apktool_yml.

list_smali_directories

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for list_smali_directories.

list_smali_files

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for list_smali_files.

get_smali_file

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for get_smali_file.

Read smali code for a named class.

modify_smali_file

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for modify_smali_file.

Replace the contents of a selected smali file.

list_resources

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for list_resources.

get_resource_file

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for get_resource_file.

modify_resource_file

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for modify_resource_file.

search_in_file

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for search_in_file.

Find a pattern in files matching specified extensions.

clean_project

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for clean_project.

Clean a project before rebuilding.

decode_apk

After refreshing apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf settings, check Cascade's tool list for decode_apk.

Decode an APK into resources and smali code with Apktool.

apktool-mcp-server: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting apktool-mcp-server in Windsurf

• Check uv on the machine running Windsurf's MCP integration for apktool-mcp-server; refresh MCP and inspect Cascade's tools.
• apktool-mcp-server uses stdio here: Windsurf 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 Windsurf troubleshooting lives in the /clients/windsurf guide.

Frequently asked questions