Claude Desktop MCP Setup: Connect MCP Servers to Claude Desktop
What it is
Anthropic's desktop app for Claude on macOS and Windows, and the original reference MCP client that defined the claude_desktop_config.json format.
How MCP works in Claude Desktop
Claude Desktop connects to local MCP servers over stdio and to remote servers via connectors. Tools appear in the chat once the app is restarted.
Config file location
claude_desktop_config.json — on macOS at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/, on Windows at %APPDATA%\Claude\ — holds an mcpServers object (open it via Settings > Developer > Edit Config).
Add your first server
A good first server is Playwright MCP — Microsoft's browser automation server. It runs locally over stdio via npx, needs no API key, and gives the agent a real browser to drive. Here is the verified Claude Desktop config:
{
"mcpServers": {
"playwright": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest"]
}
}
}Restart or reload Claude Desktop after saving, then confirm the server's tools show up. Swap in any other server from the directory using the same structure.
Transports & platforms
| Transports | stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP |
|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS, Windows |
| License | Proprietary |
| Vendor | Anthropic |
FAQ
Does Claude Desktop support MCP?
Yes. Claude Desktop works as an MCP client over stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP. Claude Desktop connects to local MCP servers over stdio and to remote servers via connectors. Tools appear in the chat once the app is restarted.
Where is the Claude Desktop MCP config?
claude_desktop_config.json — on macOS at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/, on Windows at %APPDATA%\Claude\ — holds an mcpServers object (open it via Settings > Developer > Edit Config). The verified example above shows the exact structure it expects.
Which MCP servers work with Claude Desktop?
Any server that speaks a transport Claude Desktop supports (stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP). Browse the MCP server directory on this site to find databases, browser automation, API integrations, and dev tools, then add them using the config format above.