Sparewise

What the Sparewise MCP server does

The Sparewise MCP server lets supported AI assistants inspect why a Windows drive is full and help plan cleanup. It works with storage used by developer tools, AI applications, containers, virtual machines, editors, browsers, Windows, and ordinary files.

The server can identify caches from package managers and development ecosystems such as npm, pnpm, Yarn, pip, uv, conda, Cargo, Go, Gradle, Maven, and NuGet. It can also report on Ollama, LM Studio, and Hugging Face models, along with caches from Cursor, Claude, Copilot, Codex, and other AI coding tools.

It distinguishes items that can be safely rebuilt from files that should only be reported. Large personal files, duplicates, and folders that have not been opened recently are reported but are not removed automatically. Project cleanup can account for items such as node_modules, virtual environments, build output, editor extensions, and Git history.

How it works

An MCP client can ask Sparewise to investigate storage use, plan a cleanup, and apply approved actions. Cleanup remains subject to limits configured by the user. The client cannot permanently delete files through the server.

Scanning does not change the computer. Sparewise asks before each cleanup, measures the space actually recovered, and leaves open files in place when an application is using them. Removed content is sent to the Recycle Bin or held in an undo window, so it can be restored. Sparewise does not empty the Recycle Bin.

Windows Disk Cleanup is an exception. Sparewise can start it for Windows Update leftovers, but that operation can permanently delete data and Windows requests administrator permission first. The application otherwise does not require administrator rights, although some optional Windows operations may ask for permission.

Setup and configuration

The Sparewise MCP server runs from a terminal with Node.js and the npx package runner:

• Claude Code: claude mcp add sparewise -- npx -y sparewise mcp
• Codex: codex mcp add sparewise -- npx -y sparewise mcp

The desktop application can configure AI connections from Settings → Connect AI assistants. Claude Desktop can use the .mcpb package included in the latest GitHub release. Claude Code also has a plugin installation path, and Gemini CLI can install the extension directly from the repository.

Sparewise supports Windows 10 and 11 on x64 and ARM. It has no account or telemetry, and information about the computer is not sent elsewhere. The application may connect online for its own update checks or for actions requested by the user.

Tools and capabilities

With the Sparewise MCP server, an assistant can:

• Analyze what is consuming space on a Windows drive.
• Inspect developer caches, AI models, Docker and WSL disks, project files, and Windows clutter.
• Identify duplicate package or model storage and estimate savings from retaining one copy.
• Plan cleanup within user-defined limits.
• Apply approved cleanup actions that remain undoable.
• Report items that are large or old without removing them.

The server is intended for Windows storage management rather than general file deletion. It does not offer a way for an assistant to bypass the approval and safety rules.

Limitations and notes

The project is proprietary and closed source. Direct downloads may trigger a Windows warning because the installer is not code-signed; the Microsoft Store version is signed by Microsoft. Releases provide SHA-256 checksums for download verification.

The Sparewise MCP server should be obtained from the Microsoft Store, GitHub releases, npm, or sparewise.app. The README does not describe environment variables or a separate authentication system. Free use is currently stated, although later versions may add paid features.