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Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: February 23, 2026

What is SYKE?

SYKE is an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that gives AI coding tools — like Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and Copilot — dependency awareness of your codebase. It builds a live dependency graph and exposes tools your AI can call to check impact before modifying files, run a mandatory build gate, detect hub files, and perform AI-powered cascade analysis.


How does it work?

Run SYKE with npx @syke1/mcp-server@latest and add it to your AI tool's MCP configuration file. Once running, your AI agent automatically discovers the available tools via the MCP protocol. When the AI is about to modify a file, it calls tools like check_safe or gate_build. SYKE analyses your local file system, computes the dependency graph, and returns a verdict — all on your machine, in milliseconds.


Is my source code safe?

Yes. SYKE performs 100% local analysis. Your source code, file paths, dependency graph, and analysis results are never transmitted to SYKE's servers. The only network request SYKE makes is a lightweight license key validation (key + IP + timestamp). See the Security page for the complete data flow diagram.


npx is not working on Windows

This is usually one of three issues:

  • Node.js not installed or outdated: SYKE requires Node.js 18 or later. Download from nodejs.org and install the LTS version.
  • npx not found: Run npm install -g npx in a terminal to install it globally.
  • Permissions error: Open PowerShell as Administrator and run the command again. You may also need to set the execution policy: Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser.

Where do I get a Gemini API key?

Go to aistudio.google.com/apikey and sign in with your Google account. You can generate a free API key in under a minute. Google's free tier is sufficient for typical AI analysis usage with SYKE. Add the key to your MCP configuration under GEMINI_KEY.


What happens when my trial ends?

Nothing is deleted. When your 7-day Pro trial ends, your account automatically converts to the Free tier (200-file limit). All your settings and license key remain intact. If you decide to upgrade to Pro later, your key is reactivated immediately — no re-configuration needed.


What happens if I cancel Pro?

Your Pro access remains active until the end of your current billing period. After that, your account reverts to the Free tier with the 200-file limit. No data is lost. If you are within 14 days of your initial purchase, you are eligible for a full refund — see the Refund Policy.


Which programming languages are supported?

SYKE supports 8 languages with zero configuration required: TypeScript, JavaScript, Dart, Python, Go, Rust, Java, C++, and Ruby. Language detection is automatic based on file extensions. You do not need to specify your stack anywhere.


Can I use SYKE with Cursor, Windsurf, or GitHub Copilot?

Yes. SYKE implements the standard MCP protocol, which is supported by any MCP-compatible AI tool. This includes Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and any other editor or agent that supports MCP servers. The configuration format (an mcp.json or equivalent settings file) may vary slightly between tools, but the server itself is fully compatible.


Where is my license key?

Your license key is available in your dashboard at syke.cloud/dashboard. It is generated automatically when you create an account. Copy it and paste it into your MCP configuration file under SYKE_LICENSE_KEY. If you lose it or need to rotate it, you can regenerate it from the dashboard.