Feature Request: Clear MCP Tool Cache / Force Refresh

Describe the request

Feature Request: Clear MCP Tool Cache / Force Refresh

Problem

When developing MCP servers, Cursor appears to cache the available tools. After changing tool definitions (adding, removing, or modifying tools), Cursor often continues to show the previous versions.

Common attempts such as:

  • Reload Window
  • Developer Reload
  • Disable/Enable MCP Server

do not always force Cursor to reload the tool definitions.

As a result, it is difficult to know whether Cursor is using the latest version of the server or a cached copy.

Proposal

Provide one or more of the following:

  • Clear MCP Tool Cache
  • Force Reload MCP Tools
  • Refresh Tool Definitions

Ideally this could be available from:

  • the MCP Server context menu
  • the Command Palette
  • or as a button in the MCP Server UI

Expected Behavior

After triggering the action:

  • all cached tool definitions are discarded
  • Cursor reconnects to the MCP server
  • all tools are reloaded from scratch
  • removed tools disappear immediately
  • renamed or modified tools are refreshed
  • newly added tools become available

Why this matters

When developing MCP servers, rapid iteration is essential. Developers frequently modify tool schemas, descriptions, and capabilities.

Without a guaranteed cache refresh, it’s impossible to know whether a test is exercising the current implementation or stale cached metadata.

Having an explicit Force Refresh or Clear Cache command would make MCP development significantly more reliable and reduce time spent debugging caching issues instead of the server itself.

Operating System (if it applies)

MacOS

Hey there! There’s no dedicated clear/refresh control for MCP tool definitions today, and Reload Window or toggling the server doesn’t always pick up changes. We’ve let the team know and this is something we’re tracking. In the meantime, a full quit of Cursor (Cmd+Q), then reopen, is the most reliable way to force a reload. I’ll post here if there’s an update.

Definitely second this. I do a decent bit of work with local mcps and having to command Q to see tool updates inclines me to do stuff in Claude Code