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Install HoloViz MCP with pip

This guide shows you how to install HoloViz MCP using pip, the standard Python package installer.

Alternative: uv installation

For faster installation and better dependency management, consider using uv instead.

Prerequisites

You need Python 3.11 or newer installed. Check your version:

python --version

Install HoloViz MCP

Install HoloViz MCP using pip:

pip install holoviz-mcp

Virtual environments

It's recommended to install in a virtual environment:

python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate  # On Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install holoviz-mcp

Install Chromium

HoloViz MCP uses Chromium for taking screenshots. Install it:

holoviz-mcp install chromium

📦 This downloads 300MB as it downloads the Chromium and FFMPEG engines.

Create Documentation Index

Create the documentation index so HoloViz MCP can provide intelligent answers:

holoviz-mcp update index

⏱️ This takes 5-10 minutes on first run as it downloads and indexes documentation from Panel, hvPlot, and other HoloViz libraries.

Verify Installation

Test that the server starts correctly:

holoviz-mcp

You should see output indicating the server is running. Press Ctrl+C to stop it.

Update HoloViz MCP

To update to the latest version:

pip install --upgrade holoviz-mcp

After updating, refresh the documentation index:

holoviz-mcp update index

Uninstall

To remove HoloViz MCP:

pip uninstall holoviz-mcp

To also remove the documentation index and configuration:

rm -rf ~/.holoviz-mcp

Next Steps

After installation, configure your IDE or AI assistant:

Or start with a complete tutorial: