> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://self-5d39fc87.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Get started with MCP Watchtower

> Run your first scan, pick an install option, and get oriented in a single short page.

MCP Watchtower catches MCP tool definition problems before they turn into routing failures, ambiguous tool behavior, or noisy server surfaces in production.

## What you need

* **Node.js 18 or later**
* **an MCP server or exported tools manifest**

Check your Node version:

```bash theme={null}
node --version
```

For a first run, use **`npx`**. You do not need to install anything.

## Run your first scan

```bash theme={null}
npx mcp-watchtower scan --server "python my_server.py"
```

<Note>
  If you want a pinned version for CI or team workflows, install `mcp-watchtower` as a dev dependency and run it from your project scripts. Otherwise, `npx` is the fastest way to start.
</Note>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Static analysis" icon="shield-check" href="/guides/static-analysis">
    Learn how to use MCP Watchtower in local development, CI, manifest mode, and multi-server platforms.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Semantic workflow" icon="radar" href="/guides/semantic-analysis">
    Learn when to use `--semantic`, how to read overlap findings, and how the Smithery-backed corpus works.
  </Card>

  <Card title="CLI reference" icon="terminal" href="/cli/scan">
    See every input mode, flag, JSON output field, and exit code in one compact reference page.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use the TypeScript API" icon="brackets-curly" href="/api/overview">
    Embed the analyzer in your own scripts, tooling, or registry workflows.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>