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MCP client - Anthropic - verified

How to add an MCP server to Claude Code

Where to add MCP servers in Claude Code: .mcp.json in the project root (project scope) or ~/.claude.json (local and user scope); add servers with claude mcp add. Its docs list support for stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE. It handles OAuth sign-in for remote servers.

Claude Code homepage - Claude Code in our tools directory - Compare all MCP clients

Kind
Coding agent
stdio
Yes
Streamable HTTP
Yes
SSE
Yes

Add a server

Where the config lives
.mcp.json in the project root (project scope) or ~/.claude.json (local and user scope); add servers with claude mcp add

The example from the Claude Code docs, copied verbatim. Swap in your server's name, command or URL.

JSON
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shared-server": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Source: code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp

Which server?

Pick a server from the verified directory of official MCP servers. Each one lists its transport, auth and the setup snippets its vendor publishes, so you can match it to what Claude Code supports.

MCP support

What the Claude Code docs say it supports. Not stated means the docs do not say either way.

Claude Code MCP features, transports and OAuth, each with its source
FeatureValueSource
ToolsCalls the functions a server exposes.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
ResourcesReads data and files a server exposes as resources.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
PromptsOffers a server's prompt templates to the user.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
SamplingLets a server ask the client's model for a completion.Not statedDocs do not say
RootsTells a server which directories it may work in.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
ElicitationLets a server ask the user for input mid-task.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
DiscoveryPicks up tools, prompts or resources a server adds or removes while connected.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
InstructionsUses the instructions a server sends when it connects.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
stdioStarts a local server as a subprocess.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
Streamable HTTPConnects to a remote server over the current HTTP transport.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
SSEConnects over the older HTTP+SSE transport.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
OAuthSigns in to remote servers with OAuth.Yescode.claude.com/docs/en/mcp

Worth knowing

SSE is supported but deprecated, and Claude Code also accepts remote WebSocket servers.

Other coding agents

FAQ

Where is the Claude Code MCP config?

.mcp.json in the project root (project scope) or ~/.claude.json (local and user scope); add servers with claude mcp add. The example on this page is copied from https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp

Does Claude Code support remote MCP servers over Streamable HTTP?

Yes, per https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp. Its docs list support for stdio, Streamable HTTP and SSE.

Does Claude Code support OAuth for MCP servers?

Yes. It handles OAuth sign-in for remote servers. Source: https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp

Which MCP features does Claude Code support?

Its docs list Tools, Resources, Prompts, Roots, Elicitation, Discovery and Instructions. They do not state Sampling.

Sources

Last verified from the pages below.

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