# Quick Setup Guide
This is a quick reference for setting up the Mess MCP Server. For detailed documentation, see [README.md](README.md).
## Prerequisites Checklist
- [ ] Node.js 18+ installed ([Download](https://nodejs.org/))
- [ ] Claude Desktop installed ([Download](https://claude.ai/download))
- [ ] Mess Portal API key ([Get one](https://mess.iiit.ac.in))
## Setup Steps
### 1. Install Dependencies
```bash
npm install
```
### 2. Create .env File
```bash
cp .env.example .env
```
Edit `.env` and add your API key:
```
MESS_API_KEY=your-actual-key-here
```
### 3. Build
```bash
npm run build
```
### 4. Configure Claude Desktop
**Windows**: Open `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
**macOS/Linux**: Open `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
Add this (replace the path with your actual path):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"mess": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["C:/path/to/mess-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"MESS_API_KEY": "your-actual-key-here",
"MESS_API_URL": "https://mess.iiit.ac.in/api"
}
}
}
}
```
### 5. Restart Claude Desktop
Close completely and reopen.
## Quick Test
In Claude Desktop, try:
> "What's for lunch today?"
If you see menu items, it's working! 🎉
## Common Issues
**"node not found"**
- Install Node.js from nodejs.org
- Restart your terminal/Claude Desktop
**"Unauthorized"**
- Check your API key is correct
- Verify it hasn't expired
**Server not loading**
- Make sure the path in config is absolute
- Check there are no typos in the config JSON
- Restart Claude Desktop
## Get Your API Key
1. Visit https://mess.iiit.ac.in
2. Login with your credentials
3. Go to **Settings** (gear icon)
4. Click **API Keys** tab
5. Click **Create New Key**
6. Name it "MCP Server"
7. Set expiry date (e.g., 1 year from now)
8. **Copy the key immediately** - you won't see it again!
## Example Commands
Once setup:
- "What's for lunch today?"
- "Register me for dinner tomorrow at Yuktahar"
- "What's my bill this month?"
- "Cancel my breakfast for Friday"
- "Show my registrations this week"
---
Need help? Check the full [README.md](README.md) or open an issue!
