# Client Configuration
Different AI clients have varying configuration formats for MCP servers. This page documents the configuration specifics for each supported client.
## Standard Configuration Pattern
Most AI clients follow this basic pattern:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp"]
}
}
}
```
However, each client may have slight variations in file location, format, or supported features.
## Client-Specific Configurations
### Claude Code
**Configuration Method**: CLI command or `.mcp.json`
**Global Installation**:
```bash
claude mcp add stata-mcp -- uvx stata-mcp
```
**Project-based Installation** (Recommended):
```bash
cd ~/Documents/MyResearch
claude mcp add stata-mcp \
--env STATA_MCP_CWD=$(pwd) \
--scope project \
-- uvx --directory $(pwd) stata-mcp
```
**Configuration File**: `.mcp.json` (created in project directory)
**Format**: JSON
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp"],
"env": {
"STATA_MCP_CWD": "/absolute/path/to/project"
}
}
}
}
```
**Unique Features**:
- ✅ Project-scoped configuration (`--scope project`)
- ✅ Environment variable injection (`--env`)
- ✅ Directory specification (`--directory`)
- ✅ Version pinning support (`stata-mcp==1.13.0`)
### Claude Desktop
**Configuration File**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` (macOS)
**Format**: JSON
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp"],
"env": {
"STATA_MCP_CWD": "/path/to/project",
"STATA_CLI": "/Applications/Stata/StataMP"
}
}
}
}
```
**Unique Features**:
- ✅ Environment variable support via `env` object
- ✅ Manual configuration file editing required
### Codex (VS Code Extension)
**Configuration File**: `~/.codex/config.toml`
**Format**: TOML
```toml
[mcp_servers.stata-mcp]
command = "uvx"
args = ["stata-mcp"]
```
**With environment variables**:
```toml
[mcp_servers.stata-mcp]
command = "uvx"
args = ["stata-mcp"]
env = { STATA_MCP_CWD = "/path/to/project" }
```
**Unique Features**:
- ⚠️ Uses TOML format instead of JSON
- ✅ Environment variables via `env` table
### Cline
**Configuration File**: `~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/setting/cline_mcp_settings.json`
**Format**: JSON
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"stata-mcp"
]
}
}
}
```
**Unique Features**:
- ⚠️ Standard JSON format
- ⚠️ No special features or extensions
### Cursor
**Configuration File**: Cursor settings (location varies by OS)
**Format**: JSON
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--directory",
"/absolute/path/to/project",
"stata-mcp"
],
"env": {
"STATA_MCP_CWD": "/absolute/path/to/project"
}
}
}
}
```
**Known Issues**:
- ⚠️ File system access limitations (may not access `Documents` directory)
- ⚠️ **Requires both** `--directory` in args **and** `STATA_MCP_CWD` environment variable (both must point to same path)
- ⚠️ Must use absolute paths (relative paths not supported)
- ✅ Environment variables supported
### Cherry Studio
**Configuration File**: Cherry Studio settings
**Format**: JSON (same as Claude Desktop)
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stata-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp"]
}
}
}
```
**Unique Features**:
- ✅ Standard MCP configuration
- ✅ Compatible with Claude Desktop format
## Configuration Options
### Command Variations
**Standard** (uses latest version):
```json
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp"]
```
**Pinned Version**:
```json
"command": "uvx",
"args": ["stata-mcp==1.13.0"]
```
**With Custom Directory**:
```json
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"--directory",
"/path/to/project",
"stata-mcp"
]
```
### Environment Variables
| Variable | Purpose | Example |
|----------|---------|---------|
| `STATA_MCP_CWD` | Working directory for Stata operations | `"/Users/user/research"` |
| `STATA_CLI` | Path to specific Stata executable | `"/Applications/Stata/StataMP"` |
| `STATA_MCP_MODEL` | LLM model for agent mode | `"gpt-4"` |
| `STATA_MCP_API_KEY` | API key for LLM provider | `"sk-..."` |
| `STATA_MCP_API_BASE_URL` | Custom API endpoint | `"https://api.openai.com/v1"` |
**JSON Format**:
```json
"env": {
"STATA_MCP_CWD": "/path/to/project",
"STATA_CLI": "/path/to/stata"
}
```
**TOML Format** (Codex):
```toml
env = { STATA_MCP_CWD = "/path/to/project" }
```
## Configuration File Locations
| Client | Config File Location | Format |
|--------|---------------------|--------|
| Claude Code | `.mcp.json` (project) or global config | JSON |
| Claude Desktop | `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` | JSON |
| Codex | `~/.codex/config.toml` | TOML |
| Cline | `~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/setting/cline_mcp_settings.json` | JSON |
| Cursor | Cursor settings directory | JSON |
| Cherry Studio | Cherry Studio settings directory | JSON |
## Troubleshooting
### Configuration Not Detected
1. **Verify file path**: Check if configuration file exists in the correct location
2. **Validate JSON/TOML syntax**: Use online validators to check for syntax errors
3. **Restart client**: Most clients require restart after configuration changes
4. **Check logs**: Look for MCP server connection errors in client logs
### Path Issues
**Problem**: Stata-MCP cannot access project files
**Solution**:
- Use absolute paths for `STATA_MCP_CWD`
- Ensure paths are within client's allowed directories
- Check client's file system access permissions
### Version Conflicts
**Problem**: Wrong Stata-MCP version loaded
**Solution**:
- Clear Python package cache: `pip cache purge stata-mcp`
- Pin specific version: `uvx stata-mcp==1.13.0`
- Use `uvx --refresh stata-mcp` to force refresh
## Best Practices
1. **Use project-scoped configuration** when available (Claude Code)
2. **Pin versions** in production environments
3. **Set absolute paths** for working directories
4. **Test configuration** with `uvx stata-mcp --usable` before adding to client
5. **Document custom configurations** for team collaboration
## Additional Resources
- [Usage Guide](usage.md) - Comprehensive usage examples
- [Overview](overview.md) - Architecture and design
- [MCP Tools](mcp/tools.md) - Available tools reference
