diff --git a/.changeset/two-bats-smoke.md b/.changeset/two-bats-smoke.md
index f9463947..9d87411c 100644
--- a/.changeset/two-bats-smoke.md
+++ b/.changeset/two-bats-smoke.md
@@ -16,6 +16,11 @@
   - Parent directory traversal to find tasks.json
   - Package directory as fallback
 
+- Updated all MCP tools to work without explicitly requiring project root:
+  - Changed all tool definitions from `projectRoot: z.string().describe(...)` to `projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe(...)`
+  - Updated all direct function implementations from `findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot)` to use the proper `findTasksJsonPath(args, log)` pattern
+  - These changes allow MCP tools to work properly without requiring the projectRoot parameter, using smart detection to automatically determine the project root
+
 - Add comprehensive PROJECT_MARKERS array for detecting common project files:
   - Task Master specific files (tasks.json, tasks/tasks.json)
   - Version control markers (.git, .svn)
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-subtask.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-subtask.js
index f3a71898..b647984c 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-subtask.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-subtask.js
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ export async function addSubtaskDirect(args, log) {
     }
 
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Parse dependencies if provided
     let dependencies = [];
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-task.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-task.js
index b8ecd71b..ad2a5e51 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-task.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/add-task.js
@@ -20,8 +20,8 @@ import { findTasksJsonPath } from '../utils/path-utils.js';
  */
 export async function addTaskDirect(args, log) {
   try {
-    // Resolve the tasks file path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    // Find the tasks.json path
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Check required parameters
     if (!args.prompt) {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/analyze-task-complexity.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/analyze-task-complexity.js
index c8f42e28..112dd275 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/analyze-task-complexity.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/analyze-task-complexity.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export async function analyzeTaskComplexityDirect(args, log) {
     log.info(`Analyzing task complexity with args: ${JSON.stringify(args)}`);
     
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Determine output path
     let outputPath = args.output || 'scripts/task-complexity-report.json';
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/clear-subtasks.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/clear-subtasks.js
index 1d2f249a..516d55c4 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/clear-subtasks.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/clear-subtasks.js
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export async function clearSubtasksDirect(args, log) {
     }
 
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Check if tasks.json exists
     if (!fs.existsSync(tasksPath)) {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/expand-all-tasks.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/expand-all-tasks.js
index ed49fd10..d2896950 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/expand-all-tasks.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/expand-all-tasks.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export async function expandAllTasksDirect(args, log) {
     log.info(`Expanding all tasks with args: ${JSON.stringify(args)}`);
     
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Parse parameters
     const numSubtasks = args.num ? parseInt(args.num, 10) : undefined;
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/fix-dependencies.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/fix-dependencies.js
index d5994a04..ff3d0a02 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/fix-dependencies.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/fix-dependencies.js
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ export async function fixDependenciesDirect(args, log) {
   try {
     log.info(`Fixing invalid dependencies in tasks...`);
     
-    // Determine the tasks file path
-    const tasksPath = args.file || await findTasksJsonPath(args.projectRoot);
+    // Find the tasks.json path
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Verify the file exists
     if (!fs.existsSync(tasksPath)) {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-dependency.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-dependency.js
index 16ab652c..38f245c5 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-dependency.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-dependency.js
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ export async function removeDependencyDirect(args, log) {
     }
     
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Format IDs for the core function
     const taskId = args.id.includes && args.id.includes('.') ? args.id : parseInt(args.id, 10);
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-subtask.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-subtask.js
index 2e9e47b9..6072b181 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-subtask.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/remove-subtask.js
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ export async function removeSubtaskDirect(args, log) {
     }
 
     // Find the tasks.json path
-    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args.file, args.projectRoot);
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Convert convertToTask to a boolean
     const convertToTask = args.convert === true;
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/validate-dependencies.js b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/validate-dependencies.js
index 27fbf7dd..3f652cce 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/validate-dependencies.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/core/direct-functions/validate-dependencies.js
@@ -18,8 +18,8 @@ export async function validateDependenciesDirect(args, log) {
   try {
     log.info(`Validating dependencies in tasks...`);
     
-    // Determine the tasks file path
-    const tasksPath = args.file || await findTasksJsonPath(args.projectRoot);
+    // Find the tasks.json path
+    const tasksPath = findTasksJsonPath(args, log);
     
     // Verify the file exists
     if (!fs.existsSync(tasksPath)) {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-dependency.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-dependency.js
index e500bc42..22d78812 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-dependency.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-dependency.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export function registerAddDependencyTool(server) {
       id: z.string().describe("ID of task that will depend on another task"),
       dependsOn: z.string().describe("ID of task that will become a dependency"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-subtask.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-subtask.js
index 7a0e29dd..b3abc761 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-subtask.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-subtask.js
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ export function registerAddSubtaskTool(server) {
       dependencies: z.string().optional().describe("Comma-separated list of dependency IDs for the new subtask"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
       skipGenerate: z.boolean().optional().describe("Skip regenerating task files"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-task.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-task.js
index 6fea5d8b..4ea8c9cd 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/add-task.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/add-task.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export function registerAddTaskTool(server) {
       dependencies: z.string().optional().describe("Comma-separated list of task IDs this task depends on"),
       priority: z.string().optional().describe("Task priority (high, medium, low)"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async ({ prompt, dependencies, priority, file, projectRoot }, log) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/analyze.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/analyze.js
index ffac81e0..2fc35581 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/analyze.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/analyze.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function registerAnalyzeTool(server) {
       threshold: z.union([z.number(), z.string()]).optional().describe("Minimum complexity score to recommend expansion (1-10) (default: 5)"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
       research: z.boolean().optional().describe("Use Perplexity AI for research-backed complexity analysis"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/clear-subtasks.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/clear-subtasks.js
index b0c2d561..60f52c2b 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/clear-subtasks.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/clear-subtasks.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export function registerClearSubtasksTool(server) {
       id: z.string().optional().describe("Task IDs (comma-separated) to clear subtasks from"),
       all: z.boolean().optional().describe("Clear subtasks from all tasks"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }).refine(data => data.id || data.all, {
       message: "Either 'id' or 'all' parameter must be provided",
       path: ["id", "all"]
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/complexity-report.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/complexity-report.js
index d8c37257..415ad713 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/complexity-report.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/complexity-report.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ export function registerComplexityReportTool(server) {
     description: "Display the complexity analysis report in a readable format",
     parameters: z.object({
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the report file (default: scripts/task-complexity-report.json)"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/expand-all.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/expand-all.js
index e088c4e7..ddd6fbff 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/expand-all.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/expand-all.js
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ export function registerExpandAllTool(server) {
       prompt: z.string().optional().describe("Additional context to guide subtask generation"),
       force: z.boolean().optional().describe("Force regeneration of subtasks for tasks that already have them"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/fix-dependencies.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/fix-dependencies.js
index 62219542..70340c67 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/fix-dependencies.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/fix-dependencies.js
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ export function registerFixDependenciesTool(server) {
     description: "Fix invalid dependencies in tasks automatically",
     parameters: z.object({
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-dependency.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-dependency.js
index c9d2dacb..2cecf3d6 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-dependency.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-dependency.js
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ export function registerRemoveDependencyTool(server) {
       id: z.string().describe("Task ID to remove dependency from"),
       dependsOn: z.string().describe("Task ID to remove as a dependency"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-subtask.js b/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-subtask.js
index 1878aa9c..786de1fe 100644
--- a/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-subtask.js
+++ b/mcp-server/src/tools/remove-subtask.js
@@ -23,7 +23,7 @@ export function registerRemoveSubtaskTool(server) {
       convert: z.boolean().optional().describe("Convert the subtask to a standalone task instead of deleting it"),
       file: z.string().optional().describe("Path to the tasks file (default: tasks/tasks.json)"),
       skipGenerate: z.boolean().optional().describe("Skip regenerating task files"),
-      projectRoot: z.string().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
+      projectRoot: z.string().optional().describe("Root directory of the project (default: current working directory)")
     }),
     execute: async (args, { log }) => {
       try {
diff --git a/tasks/task_023.txt b/tasks/task_023.txt
index 9bd06e40..c75d2fe7 100644
--- a/tasks/task_023.txt
+++ b/tasks/task_023.txt
@@ -1207,9 +1207,3 @@ This method provides a consistent way to access environment variables defined in
 ### Details:
 
 
-## 47. adjust rules so it prioritizes mcp commands over script [pending]
-### Dependencies: None
-### Description: 
-### Details:
-
-
diff --git a/tasks/tasks.json b/tasks/tasks.json
index e282ea64..697668d0 100644
--- a/tasks/tasks.json
+++ b/tasks/tasks.json
@@ -1780,15 +1780,6 @@
           "status": "pending",
           "dependencies": [],
           "parentTaskId": 23
-        },
-        {
-          "id": 47,
-          "title": "adjust rules so it prioritizes mcp commands over script",
-          "description": "",
-          "details": "",
-          "status": "pending",
-          "dependencies": [],
-          "parentTaskId": 23
         }
       ]
     },