Adding MCP servers to Claude Desktop

Local servers: edit the config file

1. In Claude Desktop open Settings, then Developer, then Edit Config.
2. Add your server inside "mcpServers" and save the file.
3. Quit Claude Desktop completely (from the menu bar or system tray, not just the window) and open it again.
4. Open the tools menu in the message box to see the server and its tools.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}

Remote servers: add a connector

For servers with a URL, use Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector and paste the URL. Claude handles sign-in if the server needs it. Custom connectors depend on your plan.

If nothing appears

• Check the JSON is valid; a single stray comma breaks the whole file.
• Use full paths for commands and files. Claude Desktop does not start from your project folder.
• On macOS, if npx or uvx is "not found", give the full path (run which npx in a terminal to get it).
• Read the logs in Settings → Developer; each server has its own log file.

Questions