Where Cursor keeps mcp.json
By Sophie Filer · Updated 26 Oct 2026
There are two mcp.json files. One lives in your home folder and applies everywhere; the other lives inside a project.
Full paths
| System | All projects | One project |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | /Users/you/.cursor/mcp.json | your-project/.cursor/mcp.json |
| Windows | C:\Users\you\.cursor\mcp.json | your-project\.cursor\mcp.json |
| Linux | /home/you/.cursor/mcp.json | your-project/.cursor/mcp.json |
Folders starting with a dot are hidden. On a Mac press Cmd + Shift + . in Finder to show them; on Windows turn on Hidden items in File Explorer's View menu.
Starting a new file
The file only exists once you add a server. Create it with this and add servers inside the braces:
{
"mcpServers": {}
}Which one should I use?
- Personal tools you want everywhere (search, docs, memory): the home folder file.
- Servers tied to one codebase (its database, its cloud project): the project file.
- Anything with a secret in it: the home folder file, so it never lands in git.
Questions
What if the same server name is in both files?
The project entry is used for that project. Giving servers distinct names avoids confusion.