Use claude mcp add to Connect Any MCP Server in One Command
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers give Claude Code superpowers beyond reading and editing files. Adding one takes a single command — no manual JSON editing required.
# Add an MCP server that runs via npx
claude mcp add github-mcp -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github
# Add one that runs via a local script
claude mcp add my-db-tools -- node ./tools/db-server.js
After adding, Claude can immediately use every tool the server exposes. You can check what's registered with:
# List all configured MCP servers
claude mcp list
# Remove one you no longer need
claude mcp remove github-mcp
By default, servers are added to your project scope (stored in .claude/settings.json). Use the -s flag to change scope:
# Add globally so it's available in every project
claude mcp add -s user my-tools -- node ./my-tools.js
# Add to just this project (default)
claude mcp add -s project my-tools -- node ./my-tools.js
MCP servers can provide tools for almost anything — querying databases, searching documentation, managing cloud infrastructure, interacting with APIs, or running browser automation. The ecosystem is growing fast, and most servers follow a simple npx or node pattern.
A few practical examples:
# Filesystem server for extra directory access
claude mcp add fs -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/dir
# SQLite server for direct database queries
claude mcp add sqlite -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite ./database.db
One command to add, instant access to new tools — MCP servers are how you extend Claude Code beyond its defaults.
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MCP servers aren't just for third-party integrations — you can build your own to give Claude direct access to your internal tools, databases, APIs, and workflows. A custom MCP server turns any system your team uses into a tool Claude can call natively from your session.
MCP servers can be scoped at three levels — user (available everywhere you work), project (shared with the team via version control), or enterprise (managed by your organization). Pick the right scope so each project gets exactly the tools it needs without cluttering unrelated ones.
Instead of manually editing settings JSON to add MCP servers, use the claude mcp command — add servers with one line, list what's configured, remove ones you don't need, and scope them to the right level, all from the terminal.