dicom-standard-kb
Build a local knowledge base from the current DICOM Standard, then query it offline through seven MCP tools or the CLI. Answers are compact markdown that names its source.
dicom-standard-kb downloads the DocBook source of the current DICOM edition
from NEMA and builds a SQLite knowledge base on your machine. An MCP server and
a CLI then answer questions from it offline: what an IOD needs, what values an
attribute may hold, how a transfer syntax encodes, what a code means, and what
any section or table of the standard says.
Seven tools
Section titled “Seven tools”| Tool | Answers |
|---|---|
dicom_iod |
An IOD’s modules, or the attributes it needs, filtered by Type |
dicom_module |
A module’s outline, or its attributes with macros expanded |
dicom_element |
A data element’s VR and VM, where it is used, and its Type in an IOD |
dicom_values |
Enumerated Values, Defined Terms and context groups of an attribute |
dicom_code |
Context groups, templates and codes from PS3.16 |
dicom_search |
Ranked sections and tables from all 20 parts |
dicom_read |
A section or table as markdown, or a UID, transfer syntax or VR |
Each answer ends with a line such as Source: PS3.3 Table A.3-1 (2026d). The
CLI has the same seven commands without the dicom_ prefix.
Where to go next
Section titled “Where to go next”| Need | Start here |
|---|---|
| Install, build and ask a first question | Getting started |
| Give an agent the tools | Connect an MCP client |
| See which tool answers which question | Answer DICOM questions |
| Know exactly what is and isn’t covered | Coverage and limits |
| Work on the code | Contributing |
Project links
Section titled “Project links”- View the project source on GitHub.
- Obtain the official DICOM Standard from the DICOM Standards Committee website.
- Review project legal and redistribution requirements.
- Check the exact source state represented by this documentation.