extension

What are MCP Servers?

Model Context Protocol - Extending Claude Code

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard created by Anthropic that allows AI models like Claude to connect to external tools, data sources, and services. MCP servers are programs that implement this protocol, giving Claude Code access to capabilities like browser automation, database queries, cloud services, and more.

psychologyHow MCP Works

MCP follows a client-server architecture. Claude Code acts as the client, and MCP servers provide:

  • check_circleTools — Functions that Claude can call (e.g., run a SQL query, take a screenshot, send a message)
  • check_circleResources — Data that Claude can read (e.g., database schemas, file contents, API responses)
  • check_circlePrompts — Pre-built prompt templates for common tasks

When Claude Code connects to an MCP server, it discovers all the available tools and can use them during your conversation. This means Claude can interact with real systems—querying databases, managing cloud infrastructure, automating browsers, and more.

devicesAdding MCP Servers Across AI Tools

MCP is an open standard, so multiple AI coding tools support it. Here's how to configure MCP servers in each:

Add MCP servers via the CLI with claude mcp add or configure them in .claude/settings.json (project) or ~/.claude/settings.json (global).

settings.claude/settings.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/path/to/dir"
      ]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

build_circleHow to Add an MCP Server

1

Using the CLI

The simplest way to add an MCP server is with the claude mcp add command:

# Add a filesystem MCP server
claude mcp add filesystem -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/dir

# Add a PostgreSQL MCP server
claude mcp add postgres -- npx @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres postgresql://localhost/mydb
2

Using settings.json

You can also configure MCP servers in .claude/settings.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/dir"]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
3

Verify the connection

Once configured, restart Claude Code. The MCP server's tools will be automatically available. You can ask Claude to list available tools to confirm the server is connected.

starPopular MCP Server Categories

storageDatabases

PostgreSQL, SQLite, MongoDB — query and manage databases directly from Claude.

cloudCloud Services

AWS, Cloudflare, Vercel — manage infrastructure and deployments.

webBrowser Automation

Playwright, Puppeteer — automate web interactions, scraping, and testing.

codeDeveloper Tools

GitHub, GitLab, Jira — manage repos, issues, and project workflows.

menu_bookOfficial Documentation

MCP is an open standard by Anthropic. For the full specification, server directory, and SDK documentation:

open_in_newMCP Specificationopen_in_newClaude Code MCP Guide

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