# JSON Configuration Merge Guide for Claude Desktop
## šÆ Quick Answer
Add `dollhousemcp` INSIDE the existing `mcpServers` object, as a sibling to other servers.
## š Visual Guide
### ā WRONG - Don't do this:
```json
{
"globalShortcut": "Alt+Ctrl+Cmd+2",
"mcpServers": {
"whois": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@bharathvaj/whois-mcp@latest"]
}
},
"mcpServers": {
"dollhousemcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@mickdarling/dollhousemcp"]
}
}
}
```
ā This creates duplicate `mcpServers` keys - JSON doesn't allow this!
### ā WRONG - Don't do this either:
```json
{
"globalShortcut": "Alt+Ctrl+Cmd+2",
"mcpServers": {
"whois": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@bharathvaj/whois-mcp@latest"]
},
"mcpServers": {
"dollhousemcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@mickdarling/dollhousemcp"]
}
}
}
}
```
ā This nests `mcpServers` inside `mcpServers` - wrong level!
### ā
CORRECT - Do this:
```json
{
"globalShortcut": "Alt+Ctrl+Cmd+2",
"mcpServers": {
"whois": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@bharathvaj/whois-mcp@latest"]
},
"dollhousemcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@mickdarling/dollhousemcp"]
}
}
}
```
ā
Both servers are siblings inside the same `mcpServers` object!
## š Understanding the Structure
```
{ ā Root level
"globalShortcut": "...", ā Root property
"mcpServers": { ā Root property (container for ALL servers)
"whois": {...}, ā First server (inside mcpServers)
"dollhousemcp": {...} ā Second server (inside mcpServers)
} ā End of mcpServers
} ā End of root
```
## š Step-by-Step Instructions
1. **Find the closing brace `}` of your existing server** (whois in this case)
2. **Add a comma `,` after that closing brace**
3. **Add the new server configuration on the next line**
4. **Make sure you're still inside the `mcpServers` object**
## šØ Visual Levels
```
Level 0: { ā File root
Level 1: "mcpServers": { ā All servers go here
Level 2: "whois": { ā Individual server
Level 3: "command": "npx", ā Server settings
Level 3: "args": [...]
Level 2: }, ā End of whois
Level 2: "dollhousemcp": { ā Another server (same level as whois!)
Level 3: "command": "npx", ā Server settings
Level 3: "args": [...]
Level 2: } ā End of dollhousemcp
Level 1: } ā End of mcpServers
Level 0: } ā End of file
```
## š” Pro Tips
1. **Use a JSON validator** to check your syntax: https://jsonlint.com/
2. **Count your braces** - every `{` needs a matching `}`
3. **Watch your commas** - every item except the last needs a comma
4. **Use a code editor** with JSON syntax highlighting
## šØ Common Mistakes
- **Missing comma** after the previous server
- **Extra comma** after the last server
- **Wrong nesting level** - adding at root instead of inside mcpServers
- **Duplicate keys** - having two `mcpServers` objects
## š ļø Your Specific Configuration
Here's exactly what your file should look like after adding DollhouseMCP:
```json
{
"globalShortcut": "Alt+Ctrl+Cmd+2",
"mcpServers": {
"whois": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@bharathvaj/whois-mcp@latest"
]
},
"dollhousemcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@mickdarling/dollhousemcp"]
}
}
}
```
Save this file and restart Claude Desktop!
