Community Research MCP

# Claude Desktop Setup Guide ## Method 1: Automatic (Recommended) ### Step 1: Run the Installer Double-click `initialize.bat` It will: - Check for Python - Install dependencies - Prompt you to add API key - Configure Claude Desktop automatically ### Step 2: Restart Claude Desktop - Close Claude Desktop completely - Start it again ### Step 3: Test In Claude Desktop, say: ``` use get_server_context ``` You should see server info and available tools! --- ## Method 2: Manual Setup (If Auto Fails) ### Step 1: Install Dependencies ```bash pip install mcp fastmcp httpx pydantic ``` ### Step 2: Create .env File Create a file named `.env` in this folder: ``` GEMINI_API_KEY=your_key_here ``` Get free key: https://makersuite.google.com/app/apikey ### Step 3: Get Full Path to Server **Windows (CMD):** ```cmd cd C:\path\to\community-research-mcp echo %CD%\community_research_mcp.py ``` **Windows (PowerShell):** ```powershell cd C:\path\to\community-research-mcp (Get-Location).Path + "\community_research_mcp.py" ``` Copy the full path! ### Step 4: Edit Claude Desktop Config **Config file location:** ``` %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json ``` Usually: `C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` **If file exists:** Add this section to the JSON: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "python", "args": ["C:\\FULL\\PATH\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` **If file doesn't exist:** Create it with this content: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "python", "args": ["C:\\FULL\\PATH\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` Replace `C:\\FULL\\PATH\\` with your actual path from Step 3! **Important:** Use double backslashes `\\` in the path! Example: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "python", "args": ["C:\\Users\\John\\Downloads\\community-research-mcp\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` ### Step 5: Restart Claude Desktop Close and restart Claude Desktop completely. --- ## Verification ### Check 1: Config File is Correct Open: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` Should look like: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "python", "args": ["C:\\full\\path\\to\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` Common mistakes: - ❌ Relative path → Must be FULL path - ❌ Single backslash `\` → Must be double `\\` - ❌ Missing .py extension - ❌ Wrong Python command ### Check 2: API Key is Set Open `.env` file in the server folder: ``` GEMINI_API_KEY=AIzaSy... ``` Should have your actual key, not empty! ### Check 3: Dependencies Installed Run: ```bash python -c "from mcp.server.fastmcp import FastMCP; print('OK')" ``` Should print "OK" without errors. --- ## Testing In Claude Desktop, try these: **Test 1: Check server is running** ``` use get_server_context ``` Expected: Returns workspace info, detected languages, and available tools. **Test 2: Search community** ``` search for Python FastAPI background task solutions ``` Expected: Returns 3-5 recommendations with code, community scores, and evidence. --- ## Troubleshooting ### Problem: "Server not found" or no tools available **Cause:** Config file not found or incorrect **Fix:** 1. Check config file exists: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` 2. Verify path is FULL path (from C:\ on Windows) 3. Check double backslashes in path 4. Restart Claude Desktop ### Problem: "No module named 'mcp'" **Cause:** Dependencies not installed **Fix:** ```bash pip install mcp fastmcp httpx pydantic ``` ### Problem: "No API key configured" **Cause:** Missing or empty `.env` file **Fix:** 1. Create `.env` file in server folder 2. Add: `GEMINI_API_KEY=your_actual_key` 3. No spaces around `=` 4. Get key: https://makersuite.google.com/app/apikey ### Problem: Server starts but returns errors **Cause:** API key invalid or rate limited **Fix:** 1. Check API key is correct in `.env` 2. Verify key works at: https://makersuite.google.com/app/apikey 3. Wait if rate limited (1,500 free requests/day) ### Problem: "Python not found" **Cause:** Python not in PATH or wrong Python used **Fix Option 1:** Use full Python path in config: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "C:\\Python311\\python.exe", "args": ["C:\\full\\path\\to\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` **Fix Option 2:** Add Python to PATH, then restart Claude Desktop --- ## Advanced ### Using a Virtual Environment If you use a Python venv: ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "C:\\path\\to\\venv\\Scripts\\python.exe", "args": ["C:\\path\\to\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` ### Checking Logs Claude Desktop logs MCP server output. Windows logs location: ``` %APPDATA%\Claude\logs\ ``` Look for errors about community-research server. ### Multiple API Keys In `.env`: ``` GEMINI_API_KEY=primary_key OPENAI_API_KEY=backup_key ``` Server will use first available key. --- ## Example Complete Setup **1. Your server folder:** ``` C:\MCP\community-research-mcp\ ├── community_research_mcp.py ├── .env <- API key here ├── requirements.txt └── ... ``` **2. Your .env:** ``` GEMINI_API_KEY=AIzaSyC1234567890abcdefg ``` **3. Your config file:** `C:\Users\YourName\AppData\Roaming\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` ```json { "mcpServers": { "community-research": { "command": "python", "args": ["C:\\MCP\\community-research-mcp\\community_research_mcp.py"] } } } ``` **4. Test in Claude Desktop:** ``` use get_server_context ``` Should show tools and workspace! --- ## Still Not Working? 1. ✅ Check config file path is correct 2. ✅ Verify full (absolute) path to .py file 3. ✅ Confirm double backslashes in Windows paths 4. ✅ Make sure .env has API key 5. ✅ Test: `python community_research_mcp.py` runs without errors 6. ✅ Restart Claude Desktop after changes 7. ✅ Check Claude Desktop logs for errors If still stuck, check `README.md` for more details or verify each step above.