Claude MCP: how to add MCP servers to Claude, Desktop and Code
Claude MCP support lets Claude use outside tools and data through the Model Context Protocol: in the Claude app you add a remote MCP server as a custom connector, in Claude Desktop you can also run local servers, and in Claude Code you add one with claude mcp add. Claude is an MCP client, not an MCP server. The 734 connectors in Anthropic's directory are MCP servers you can add in one click.
MCP in Claude: the protocol, the client and the servers
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard for connecting AI apps to tools and data. Claude is the client: it calls the tools. An MCP server is the program that offers those tools, such as "search issues" or "query database". Learn the difference between a connector and MCP before you publish.
Ship an MCP server? Get it found in Claude and other clients.
Adding an MCP server in the Claude web and mobile app
- Open Settings, then Connectors.
- Click Add custom connector and paste the remote MCP server URL.
- Sign in if the server asks you to.
This works on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise. The Free plan allows one custom connector.
Adding an MCP server to Claude Desktop
- Install a desktop extension from the connector directory, if your server has one. This is the one-click way.
- Or edit the config file. Open Settings, then Developer, then Edit config.
- Add your server under
mcpServerswith its command and arguments. - Restart Claude Desktop.
Claude Desktop stores the config here:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Adding an MCP server to Claude Code
- Run
claude mcp addwith a name and either a URL (remote) or a command (local). - Pick a scope. Local (only you, this project), project (shared with your team in a
.mcp.jsonfile) or user (you, in every project). - Restart Claude Code if the server does not appear.
- Test it with
/mcpinside Claude Code to see the server, its status and its tools.
Use claude mcp list to see every server you added.
Six MCP servers worth trying with Claude
- GitHub. Read issues and pull requests, and open new ones.
- Filesystem. Let Claude read and write files in folders you choose.
- Postgres or Supabase. Ask questions about your database in plain words.
- Slack. Search channels and post updates.
- Browser or search. Open pages and look up current docs.
- Notion. Find and edit pages in your workspace.
See the most popular Claude connectors, or search the MCP server registry for more.
Fixing common Claude MCP problems
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Server does not show up | Restart the app. In Claude Code, run /mcp to check its status. In Desktop, check the config file for a JSON error. |
| Sign-in keeps looping | Remove the connector, add it again, and finish sign-in in the same browser. |
| Claude does not call the tool | Name the tool in your request, or improve the tool description so it says when to use it. |
| Too many tools | Turn off servers you do not need for this task, so Claude has fewer tools to choose from. |
Publishing your MCP server so Claude users can find it
If you want Claude users to find your server, make it remote, submit it to Anthropic's connector directory, and list it in MCP registries. In the directory, your name, one-liner and tool descriptions determine whether users and Claude pick it. Built a server? Get your MCP server used in Claude and other clients. To see the field, learn how many MCP servers there are and how to list your MCP server.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude an MCP server?
No. Claude is an MCP client. It connects to MCP servers and calls their tools.
Can Claude Desktop use MCP servers?
Yes. It runs remote servers as connectors and local servers through desktop extensions or its config file.
Can free Claude use MCP?
Yes. Free users can add one remote MCP server as a custom connector.
Does ChatGPT support MCP too?
Yes. ChatGPT apps are built on MCP with OpenAI's Apps SDK. Simon Willison shows both in his note on adding a custom MCP server to Claude and ChatGPT.