How to add MCP servers to Claude Code

Add a local MCP server

Local servers run on your machine, usually through npx (Node) or uvx (Python). Every MCP server page on this site shows the exact command.

claude mcp add my-server -- npx -y some-mcp-package

Everything after -- is the command Claude Code runs to start the server. Add --scope user to make it available in every project, or --scope project to share it with your team through a .mcp.json file in the repo.

Add a remote (hosted) MCP server

claude mcp add --transport http my-server https://example.com/mcp

If the server needs a login, run /mcp inside Claude Code and follow the sign-in link.

Check what is installed

claude mcp list

Inside a session, /mcp shows every server, its status and its tools.

Install a skill

A skill is a folder with a SKILL.md file. Put it in ~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>/ to use it everywhere, or in .claude/skills/<skill-name>/ inside a project. Claude loads a skill when its description matches what you ask for. Skill pages on this site show a copy-and-paste command that does this for you.

Install a plugin

Plugins bundle skills, commands and MCP servers. Add a marketplace, then install from it:

/plugin marketplace add owner/repo
/plugin install plugin-name@marketplace-name