How to Install an MCP Server in Claude Code

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets Claude Code use external tools — filesystems, databases, APIs. Adding one is a single command.

1. Add the server

From your project, use claude mcp add. Example, a filesystem server:

claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem C:\path\to\allow

The pattern is: claude mcp add <name> -- <command to start the server>. Everything after -- is how the server is launched.

2. Pick the scope (optional)

• --scope local (default): just you, this project.
• --scope project: shared via a committed .mcp.json.
• --scope user: available in all your projects.

claude mcp add --scope user github -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

3. Restart and confirm

Restart Claude Code, then list configured servers:

claude mcp list

You should see your server. Its tools are now available to Claude Code.

Tips

• Servers needing secrets take env vars: add -e API_KEY=... before the --.
• Browse servers at the official MCP registry and modelcontextprotocol npm org.