automating annoying tasks, sharing tips, and embracing less frustration Astro 2026-08-27T00:00:00+00:00 https://svnscha.de/tags/plugin/atom.xml 2026-08-27T00:00:00+00:00 2026-08-27T00:00:00+00:00 Sven Scharmentke https://svnscha.de/posts/mcp-windbg-1-2-0-release/

mcp-windbg now ships as a Claude Code plugin with four debugging skills and a crash-analysis agent.

<p>Version 1.2.0 of <strong>mcp-windbg</strong> adds a Claude Code plugin. It packages the MCP server together with the instructions and workflows needed for common debugging tasks, so Claude Code can install and use it without a separate Python setup or a hand-written MCP configuration.</p> <h2 id="installing-the-plugin">Installing the Plugin</h2> <p>Add the mcp-windbg marketplace and install the plugin from Claude Code:</p> <pre class="astro-code dark-plus" style="background-color:#1E1E1E;color:#D4D4D4; overflow-x: auto;" tabindex="0" data-language="text"><code><span class="line"><span>/plugin marketplace add svnscha/mcp-windbg</span></span> <span class="line"><span>/plugin install mcp-windbg-uvx@mcp-windbg</span></span></code></pre> <p>The plugin starts mcp-windbg with <code>uvx</code>, which downloads the pinned version from PyPI the first time it runs. You still need Windows, CDB, and <code>uv</code>, but you do not need to install the Python package yourself.</p> <p>The existing <code>pip install mcp-windbg</code> setup remains available for other MCP clients and for anyone who prefers a manual configuration.</p> <h2 id="skills-for-common-debugging-tasks">Skills for Common Debugging Tasks</h2> <p>The plugin includes four skills:</p> <ul> <li><strong><code>analyze-dump</code></strong> guides the analysis of a Windows crash dump.</li> <li><strong><code>debug-remote</code></strong> works with a live user-mode target through CDB.</li> <li><strong><code>kernel-debug</code></strong> handles live kernel debugging with KD.</li> <li><strong><code>windbg-doctor</code></strong> checks the local setup when CDB, KD, symbols, or the MCP server are not working as expected.</li> </ul> <p>These skills only load when they are needed, which keeps the plugin's normal context use small. The underlying MCP tools are still available directly when you want to run a specific command or control a session yourself.</p> <h2 id="the-crash-analyst-agent">The Crash Analyst Agent</h2> <p>The plugin also includes a read-only <strong><code>crash-analyst</code></strong> agent. It can investigate a dump independently and return:</p> <ul> <li>its likely cause</li> <li>the debugger evidence supporting that conclusion</li> <li>alternative causes it checked</li> <li>practical next steps</li> </ul> <p>The agent is kept away from mutating tools. It can inspect a debugging session, but it cannot resume a target or perform another action that would change its state.</p> <h2 id="symbols-by-default">Symbols by Default</h2> <p>Readable stack traces depend on symbols, and missing symbol configuration is a common source of poor results. The plugin now provides the Microsoft symbol server as the default value for <code>_NT_SYMBOL_PATH</code>.</p> <p>If you already have <code>_NT_SYMBOL_PATH</code> configured, the plugin leaves it unchanged. Existing private symbol servers and custom cache paths therefore continue to work.</p> <h2 id="a-small-121-follow-up">A Small 1.2.1 Follow-up</h2> <p>Version 1.2.1 followed later the same day. It reorganized the README installation guide by client and fixed a corrupted <code>C:\dumps\app.dmp</code> example that contained a hidden control character. There were no runtime changes, so it does not need a separate post.</p> <h2 id="getting-started">Getting Started</h2> <p>Use the two plugin commands above for Claude Code, or upgrade the Python package for another MCP client:</p> <pre class="astro-code dark-plus" style="background-color:#1E1E1E;color:#D4D4D4; overflow-x: auto;" tabindex="0" data-language="bash"><code><span class="line"><span style="color:#DCDCAA">pip</span><span style="color:#CE9178"> install</span><span style="color:#569CD6"> -U</span><span style="color:#CE9178"> mcp-windbg</span></span></code></pre> <p>See the full release notes for <a href="https://github.com/svnscha/mcp-windbg/releases/tag/v1.2.0">v1.2.0</a> and <a href="https://github.com/svnscha/mcp-windbg/releases/tag/v1.2.1">v1.2.1</a>. The source and plugin marketplace are available in the <a href="https://github.com/svnscha/mcp-windbg">mcp-windbg repository</a>.</p>