How to add an MCP server to Claude Code

Claude

1. 1

   Open a terminal in your project

   Run the add command in your shell, not inside a claude session. Go to the project folder first, because the default scope ties the server to that folder.

2. 2

   Add a hosted server by its address

   claude mcp add --transport http notion https://mcp.notion.com/mcp

   The name (notion) is yours to choose. If the service gives you a token instead of a sign-in, add it as a header:

   claude mcp add --transport http secure-api https://api.example.com/mcp \
     --header "Authorization: Bearer your-token"

   Uses Notion MCP

3. 3

   Or add a local server by its command

   Put the launch command after --, and any keys with --env before the name:

   claude mcp add --env AIRTABLE_API_KEY=YOUR_KEY --transport stdio airtable \
     -- npx -y airtable-mcp-server

   Everything after -- goes to the server unchanged, so flags like -y are not read by Claude Code.

4. 4

   Pick the scope

   | Scope | Loads in | Saved in | |---|---|---| | local (default) | this project, just you | ~/.claude.json | | project | this project, whole team | .mcp.json in the project root | | user | all your projects | ~/.claude.json |

   Add it to the command, for example claude mcp add --scope user --transport http sentry https://mcp.sentry.dev/mcp.

   Uses sentry-mcp

5. 5

   Have a JSON block from another app?

   Pass the object inside mcpServers to add-json. Add "type": "http" to any entry that has a url, or Claude Code treats it as a local command and skips it.

   claude mcp add-json example '{"command":"npx","args":["-y","@example/mcp-server"]}'

   On macOS or WSL, claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop copies servers from Claude Desktop.

6. 6

   Check it connected

   Run claude mcp list. You want ✔ Connected. ! Needs authentication means sign in next; ⏸ Pending approval means a .mcp.json server waits for you to approve it in claude. Use claude mcp get <name> for the error detail.

7. 7

   Sign in and use it

   Start claude, type /mcp, pick the server and follow the browser sign-in, or run claude mcp login <name> from the shell. Then ask for something by name.

   PromptCopy

   Use the sentry server to list the top unresolved errors in my project from the last 24 hours.

   Uses sentry-mcp

8. 8

   Restart the session after editing .mcp.json

   Claude Code reads .mcp.json when a session starts. After you edit it, type /exit and run claude -c to continue your last conversation in that folder. To retry servers that failed or need sign-in, type /mcp reconnect all.

1. 1
   Context7OfficialHosted or LocalAPI key

   Gives Claude Code current docs for the libraries you use, so it stops guessing at old APIs.

   64,001 GitHub stars
2. 2
   Playwright MCPOfficialLocal

   Lets Claude Code open and test your app in a real browser; the Claude Code quickstart uses it as its local example.

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3. 3
   GitHub MCP ServerOfficialHosted or LocalOAuth

   GitHub's own server for pull requests, issues and code search from inside Claude Code.

   34,115 GitHub stars
4. 4
   Stripe MCPOfficialHosted or LocalOAuth

   Stripe's hosted server; the Claude Code docs use it to show local scope.

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5. 5C
   Canva MCPOfficialHostedOAuth

   Create and edit Canva designs from Claude Code after you sign in.
6. 6
   Exa MCP ServerOfficialHosted or LocalOAuth

   Web search built for AI agents, hosted by Exa.

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7. 7
   Notion MCPOfficialHostedOAuth

   Notion's hosted server; the Claude Code docs use it as the first example.

Claude Code covers every common MCP setup: local, hosted and WebSocket servers, three scopes and a shared .mcp.json for teams. The main limit is that local scope ties a server to one folder, which is why servers seem to disappear in other projects.