MCP Setup Guide: Get Started in 15 Minutes
Step-by-step instructions to connect Claude to your tools. No coding required for most setups.
You've decided to try MCP—great choice. This guide walks you through setup from zero to your first working automation. Most people complete their first connection in 15-30 minutes.
What You'll Need
Required
- Claude Account (Free tier works)
- Claude Desktop App (Mac or Windows)
- 10-15 minutes of focus time
Recommended
- One tool account ready (e.g. Google Drive)
- Basic comfort installing software
- Our Quick Start Kit (Optional)
Choose Your Path
Quick Start
Download pre-built configs. Perfect for solopreneurs & beginners.
Step 1: Install Claude Desktop
MCP features currently exist only in the Claude Desktop application. The web version (claude.ai) does not support local MCP connections yet.
- Visit claude.ai/download
- Choose your operating system (Mac or Windows)
- Run the installer and sign in with your account
Step 2: Understand the Config File
MCP connections are managed via a simple configuration file. Claude reads this file to know which tools it can access.
File Location:
- Mac:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Windows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
A basic configuration looks like this:
{
"mcpServers": {
"server-name": {
"command": "path/to/server",
"args": ["argument1"]
}
}
}Don't worry—most of the time you will just copy-paste pre-written blocks into this file.
Step 3: Connect Your First Tool (Google Drive)
We'll use Google Drive as an example, as it is the most common first integration.
1. Prerequisite Check
Ensure you have Node.js installed (required for running the server). To check, open Terminal/Command Prompt and type node -v. If you get an error, download Node.js from nodejs.org.
2. Edit the Config
Open your config file in any text editor (Notepad, TextEdit, VS Code) and paste this:
{
"mcpServers": {
"google-drive": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@anthropic/mcp-server-gdrive"]
}
}
}3. Authenticate
Restart Claude Desktop. The inputs area should now show a "plug" icon. When you first ask Claude to use Drive, it will prompt you to sign in via your browser. Grant the permissions.
4. Verify
Type into Claude: "List the first 5 files in my Google Drive."
Claude should respond with a list of your files. Success!
View detailed Google Drive guide →
Connect More Tools
Once you are comfortable, try connecting other tools. Here are the most popular ones:
| Tool | Difficulty | Time | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Google Drive | Easy | 10 min | View Guide |
| Notion | Easy | 10 min | View Guide |
| Slack | Easy | 15 min | View Guide |
| GitHub | Medium | 20 min | View Guide |
See all available integrations →
Step 4: Run Your First Workflow
Now that you are connected, try these starter prompts:
Document Search
Claude will search your files and return the specific Docs.
Meeting Prep
Requires Gmail connection. Claude reads and summarizes context.
Browse our library of pre-built workflows →
Troubleshooting
Claude doesn't show my connected tools▼
claude_desktop_config.json file has valid JSON syntax (no missing commas or brackets)."Command not found" or "npx error"▼
Authorization failed▼
View full troubleshooting guide →
Setup by Role
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to keep my computer on?
Yes, MCP servers run locally. When you close Claude Desktop, connections stop. This is a security feature.
Can I use this on mobile?
Not currently. MCP requires the Claude Desktop app (Mac/Windows/Linux).
What if I mess up the config?
Delete the JSON file and Claude will recreate a blank one. You can start fresh.
Want the Easy Path?
Skip the manual setup. Our Quick Start Kit includes pre-configured settings for the most popular tools, plus 10 ready-to-use workflows.
Get the Free Kit