Installation
Who is this for? Complete setup reference for all installation modes.
When should I read this? When you need the full picture: HTTP, STDIO, plugins, offline, or environment variables. For the fastest path, see Quick Start.
[!WARNING] Use Sonnet 4.6, GPT-5.3-codex-medium, gemini-3.1-pro or better models. Avoid Auto model selection.
Choose Your Mode
| HTTP (recommended) | STDIO | Plugin | Offline | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Setup | Single URL, OAuth automatic | Env vars, API key per user | CLI marketplace commands (installs HTTP MCP) | Download zip, copy files |
| Local dependencies | None | Python 3.12+, uvx | None | None |
| Auth | OAuth via browser | API key from Rosetta Server | OAuth via browser (HTTP MCP) | None |
| Network | Requires internet | Requires internet | Requires internet | No network needed (with local models) |
| Best for | Most users | Custom configs, controlled environments | Claude Code, Cursor | Air-gapped or highly regulated environments |
Step 1: Install
Pick one mode and follow its section.
HTTP Transport (Recommended)
One URL, no local dependencies, OAuth handles authentication automatically.
Cursor
Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project):
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport http Rosetta https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp
Authenticate inside a claude session with /mcp, select Rosetta, Authenticate, and complete the OAuth flow.
Codex
codex mcp add Rosetta --url https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp
codex mcp login Rosetta
VS Code / GitHub Copilot
Add to .vscode/mcp.json or ~/.mcp.json:
{
"servers": {
"Rosetta": {
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
GitHub Copilot (JetBrains)
Settings > Tools > GitHub Copilot > MCP Settings. Add to ~/.config/github-copilot/intellij/mcp.json:
{
"servers": {
"Rosetta": {
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
Restart IDE after changes.
JetBrains Junie
Settings > Tools > Junie > MCP Settings > + Add > As JSON:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
Windsurf
Add to your Windsurf MCP config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
Antigravity
Add to your Antigravity MCP config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"serverUrl": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp"
}
}
}
OpenCode
Add to opencode.json:
{
"mcp": {
"Rosetta": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://rosetta.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/mcp",
"enabled": true
}
}
}
Any MCP client that supports HTTP transport can connect using the endpoint URL. Complete the OAuth flow when prompted.
STDIO Transport
STDIO runs Rosetta MCP as a local process. Your IDE launches it and communicates over stdin/stdout.
Get Your API Key
- Open Rosetta Server (RAGFlow)
- Create an account or sign in
- Generate an API key from your profile
Join Your Team’s Datasets
Your team lead shares Instructions and Project datasets. You must accept the invite before you can see them. Check your Rosetta Server inbox for pending invitations.
Configure Your IDE
Required environment variables:
| Variable | Value |
|---|---|
ROSETTA_SERVER_URL |
https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/ |
ROSETTA_API_KEY |
Your personal API key |
ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL |
Your email address |
Cursor
Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project):
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
Claude Code
claude mcp add --transport stdio Rosetta \
--env ROSETTA_SERVER_URL=https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/ \
--env ROSETTA_API_KEY=your-api-key \
--env ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL=you@example.com \
-- uvx ims-mcp@latest
Codex
codex mcp add Rosetta \
--env ROSETTA_SERVER_URL=https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/ \
--env ROSETTA_API_KEY=your-api-key \
--env ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL=you@example.com \
-- uvx ims-mcp@latest
VS Code / GitHub Copilot
Add to .vscode/mcp.json or ~/.mcp.json:
{
"servers": {
"Rosetta": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
GitHub Copilot (JetBrains)
Add to ~/.config/github-copilot/intellij/mcp.json:
{
"servers": {
"Rosetta": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
Restart IDE after changes.
JetBrains Junie
Settings > Tools > Junie > MCP Settings > + Add > As JSON:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
Windsurf
Add to your Windsurf MCP config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
Antigravity
Add to your Antigravity MCP config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"Rosetta": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["ims-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
OpenCode
Add to opencode.json:
{
"mcp": {
"Rosetta": {
"type": "local",
"command": ["uvx", "ims-mcp@latest"],
"enabled": true,
"env": {
"ROSETTA_SERVER_URL": "https://ims.evergreen.gcp.griddynamics.net/",
"ROSETTA_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL": "you@example.com"
}
}
}
}
Environment Variables Reference
Required for STDIO transport. Optional otherwise.
| Variable | Default | Description |
|---|---|---|
ROSETTA_SERVER_URL |
http://localhost:80 |
Rosetta Server base URL. Required. |
ROSETTA_API_KEY |
(empty) | API key for Rosetta Server access. Required. |
ROSETTA_USER_EMAIL |
rosetta@griddynamics.net |
User identity for authorization checks |
ROSETTA_MODE |
HARD |
HARD adds more content to context with stricter requirements. SOFT is lighter and allows more agent independence, better when bootstrap.md is also used |
ROSETTA_INVITE_EMAILS |
(empty) | Comma-separated emails auto-invited on project dataset creation |
INSTRUCTION_ROOT_FILTER |
(empty) | Comma-separated root tags filter for instructions |
IMS_DEBUG |
disabled | Enable debug logs (1, true, yes, on) |
POSTHOG_API_KEY |
(built-in) | Set to "" to disable usage analytics |
Do not set VERSION. It uses a server-controlled default for managed upgrades. See Architecture — Tradeoffs for rationale.
Plugin-Based Installation
Rosetta publishes plugins for Claude Code and Cursor through the plugin marketplace. Install to your user profile for use across all projects.
Two modes:
- Lightweight (recommended): bootstrap rule and MCP server definition only. Smallest footprint, behavior driven by MCP.
- Full: core (20 skills, 7 agents, 4 workflows, bootstrap rules) plus optional grid enterprise extensions. Requires core 2.0.0+ for grid.
Read more about plugin contents and capabilities in the Usage Guide — Plugins.
Claude Code
claude plugin marketplace add griddynamics/rosetta
# Lightweight (recommended)
claude plugin install rosetta@rosetta
# Full
claude plugin install core@rosetta
claude plugin install grid@rosetta # Enterprise (optional, requires core)
Cursor
Cursor uses .cursor-plugin/plugin.json and .cursor-plugin/marketplace.json manifests. See the plugin repository for Cursor-specific setup.
Offline Installation (No MCP)
For environments without network access to Rosetta Server.
- Disable or remove Rosetta MCP from your IDE configuration
- Download
instructions.zipfrom the latest release - Extract to
instructions/in your repository or workspace - Copy the contents of local-files-mode.md into your IDE’s instruction file (keep frontmatter!):
| IDE | Destination |
|---|---|
| Cursor | .cursor/rules/local-files-mode.mdc |
| Claude Code | .claude/claude.md |
| Windsurf | .windsurf/rules/local-files-mode.md |
| VS Code / GitHub Copilot | .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| GitHub Copilot (JetBrains) | .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| JetBrains Junie | .junie/guidelines.md |
| Antigravity | .agent/rules/local-files-mode.md |
| OpenCode | AGENTS.md |
Step 2: Add Bootstrap Rule (HTTP and STDIO modes ONLY)
Applies to HTTP and STDIO modes.
Skip if using Plugin or Offline installation.
Download bootstrap.md and add it to your IDE’s instruction file (keep entire contents, including YAML frontmatter):
| IDE | Destination |
|---|---|
| Cursor | .cursor/rules/bootstrap.mdc |
| Claude Code | .claude/claude.md |
| VS Code / GitHub Copilot | .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| GitHub Copilot (JetBrains) | .github/copilot-instructions.md |
| JetBrains Junie | .junie/guidelines.md |
| Windsurf | .windsurf/rules/bootstrap.md |
| Antigravity | .agent/rules/bootstrap.md |
| OpenCode | AGENTS.md |
[!NOTE] Some tools (Cline, Kilo) do not read MCP server prompts. For these, bootstrap.md is always required.
Step 3: Verify
Applies to all installation modes. Ask the agent:
What can you do, Rosetta?
It should use Rosetta MCP to retrieve agents, guardrails, and instructions.
Step 4: Initialize Repository
Run once per repository after installation:
Initialize this repository using Rosetta
The agent runs an eight-phase workflow (see Usage Guide — Init Workspace for details):
- Context — detect workspace mode and build file inventory
- Shells — generate IDE/agent shell files from KB schemas
- Discovery — produce TECHSTACK.md, CODEMAP.md, DEPENDENCIES.md
- Rules (optional) — configure local agent rules
- Patterns — extract recurring coding and architectural patterns
- Documentation — create CONTEXT.md, ARCHITECTURE.md, IMPLEMENTATION.md, ASSUMPTIONS.md
- Questions — clarifying questions about gaps and assumptions
- Verification — completeness check and catch-up for missed artifacts
[!NOTE] Composite workspaces: init each repository separately, then init at the workspace level with “This is composite workspace” appended. Dead code or existing specs: mention their location in the prompt to save time.
Workspace Files Created
After initialization, Rosetta maintains these files in your repository. Read more about their purpose in Architecture — Workspace Files.
Committed to SCM:
gain.json- SDLC setup and Rosetta file locationsdocs/CONTEXT.md- business context (no technical details)docs/ARCHITECTURE.md- architecture and technical requirementsdocs/TECHSTACK.md- tech stack of all modulesdocs/DEPENDENCIES.md- dependencies of all modulesdocs/CODEMAP.md- code map of workspacedocs/TODO.md- improvements, feature requests, TODOs (created when needed)docs/ASSUMPTIONS.md- assumptions and unknowns (created when needed)docs/REQUIREMENTS/*- original requirements with INDEX.md (optional)docs/PATTERNS/*- coding and architectural patterns with INDEX.md (optional)agents/IMPLEMENTATION.md- current implementation state (the only changelog)agents/MEMORY.md- root causes of errors and lessons learnedplans/<FEATURE>/<FEATURE>-PLAN.md- execution plansplans/<FEATURE>/<FEATURE>-SPECS.md- tech specsrefsrc/INDEX.md- index of reference documentation (only refsrc file committed)
Excluded from SCM:
refsrc/*(except INDEX.md) - reference knowledge filesagents/TEMP/<FEATURE>- temporary implementation files
Upgrading
- HTTP: No action needed. Server-side upgrades apply automatically.
- STDIO:
uvx ims-mcp@latestalways pulls the newest published version. No manual step needed. - Plugins: Plugins auto-upgrade or can be updated via
claude plugin update. - Offline: Download the latest
instructions.zipfrom releases and replace the contents ofinstructions/.
Uninstalling
HTTP/STDIO MCP:
- Claude Code:
claude mcp remove Rosetta - Codex:
codex mcp remove Rosetta - Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, JetBrains, Antigravity, OpenCode: Remove the Rosetta entry from your MCP configuration file
Plugins:
- Claude Code:
claude plugin uninstall rosetta@rosetta(orcore@rosetta,grid@rosettafor full install) - Cursor: Remove the
.cursor-plugin/directory from your project
Offline:
- Delete the
instructions/directory and the IDE instruction file content you added
Related Docs
- Quick Start - fastest path to a working setup
- Overview - mental model and terminology
- Troubleshooting - common issues and fixes
- Deployment - org-wide server deployment