# MCP Server Installation Guide
> **Last Updated:** January 2026
This guide accompanies **Video 3: Install Your First MCP Server** from the [Gheware DevOps AI](https://www.youtube.com/@gheware-devops-ai) MCP Masterclass.
šŗ **Watch:** [Install MCP in 5 Minutes. (Yes, Really.)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLNb2eNmf8)
---
## Prerequisites
| Requirement | Version | Check Command |
|-------------|---------|---------------|
| Node.js | 20+ LTS | `node --version` |
| npm | 10+ | `npm --version` |
### MCP Host Application
You need an application that supports MCP:
| Platform | Options |
|----------|---------|
| **macOS** | Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code + Copilot |
| **Windows** | Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code + Copilot |
| **Linux** | Cursor, VS Code + Copilot, Claude Code CLI |
> ā ļø **Note:** Claude Desktop is **NOT available for Linux**. See [Linux Alternatives](#linux-alternatives) below.
---
## Ubuntu Linux Setup
### Install Node.js 20 LTS
```bash
# Update package list
sudo apt update
# Install prerequisites
sudo apt install -y curl
# Add NodeSource repository (Node.js 20 LTS)
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_20.x | sudo -E bash -
# Install Node.js
sudo apt install -y nodejs
# Verify installation
node --version # Should show v20.x.x
npm --version # Should show 10.x.x
```
**Alternative: Using nvm (recommended for developers)**
```bash
# Install nvm
curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.40.1/install.sh | bash
# Reload shell
source ~/.bashrc
# Install Node.js 20
nvm install 20
nvm use 20
nvm alias default 20
```
### Linux Alternatives
Since Claude Desktop is not available for Linux, use one of these options:
#### Option 1: Cursor IDE (Recommended)
Cursor is an AI-powered IDE with built-in MCP support.
```bash
# Download from cursor.com
# Install the AppImage or .deb package
chmod +x cursor-*.AppImage
./cursor-*.AppImage
```
**Cursor MCP Config:** `~/.config/Cursor/User/globalStorage/cursor.mcp/config.json`
#### Option 2: VS Code with Continue Extension
```bash
# Install VS Code
sudo apt install code
# Install Continue extension from marketplace
# Configure MCP in Continue settings
```
#### Option 3: Claude Code CLI
Use MCP servers directly with Claude Code (terminal-based):
```bash
# Install Claude Code
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
# Add MCP server (stdio - local servers)
claude mcp add --transport stdio filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~/Documents
# Add MCP server (http - remote servers)
claude mcp add --transport http notion https://mcp.notion.com/mcp
# List configured servers
claude mcp list
# Check server status inside Claude Code
/mcp
```
**Scope Options:**
| Scope | Flag | Storage | Use Case |
|-------|------|---------|----------|
| local | `--scope local` | `.claude.json` (project) | Personal, project-specific |
| project | `--scope project` | `.mcp.json` (shared) | Team collaboration |
| user | `--scope user` | `~/.claude.json` | Cross-project tools |
**Claude Code MCP Config:** `~/.claude.json` (user scope) or `.mcp.json` (project scope)
#### Option 4: MCP Inspector (Testing Only)
Test your MCP servers without a host application:
```bash
npm run inspector
```
This opens a browser-based tool to test tools and resources.
---
## Quick Start (5 Minutes)
### Step 1: Install a Pre-built MCP Server (2 min)
```bash
# No installation needed - npx runs it directly
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~/Documents
```
This server lets AI read files from your `~/Documents` folder.
### Step 2: Configure Your MCP Host (2 min)
Choose your platform:
#### macOS / Windows (Claude Desktop)
Config file locations:
- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/Documents"
]
}
}
}
```
#### Linux (Cursor IDE)
Config file: `~/.config/Cursor/User/globalStorage/cursor.mcp/config.json`
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"/home/YOUR_USERNAME/Documents"
]
}
}
}
```
> ā ļø **Replace `YOUR_USERNAME`** with your actual username!
>
> Find your username: `whoami`
> ā ļø **Security Note:** Only grant access to directories you're comfortable with AI reading and modifying. The MCP server runs with your user permissions and can perform any file operations you can manually perform.
### Step 3: Restart Your Application (30 sec)
**macOS/Windows (Claude Desktop):** Quit completely and reopen.
**Linux (Cursor):** Close and reopen Cursor IDE.
Look for MCP tools indicator (usually a šØ hammer icon or tools menu).
### Step 4: Test It! (30 sec)
Try these prompts:
```
"List files in my Documents folder"
"Read the contents of README.md"
"What text files do I have?"
"Summarize the file notes.txt"
```
---
## Installing This Notes Server
### Step 1: Clone and Build
```bash
# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/brainupgrade-in/mcp-server-typescript-starter.git
cd mcp-server-typescript-starter
# Install dependencies
npm install
# Build TypeScript
npm run build
```
### Step 2: Test with MCP Inspector
```bash
npm run inspector
```
This opens a browser-based inspector to test your server without any host application.
### Step 3: Add to Your MCP Host
**Claude Desktop (macOS/Windows):**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "~/Documents"]
},
"notes": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/mcp-server-typescript-starter/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
**Cursor IDE (Linux/macOS/Windows):**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"notes": {
"command": "/usr/bin/node",
"args": ["/home/YOUR_USERNAME/mcp-server-typescript-starter/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
**If using nvm on Linux:**
```bash
# Find your node path
which node
# Example: /home/rajesh/.nvm/versions/node/v20.10.0/bin/node
```
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"notes": {
"command": "/home/rajesh/.nvm/versions/node/v20.10.0/bin/node",
"args": ["/home/rajesh/mcp-server-typescript-starter/dist/index.js"]
}
}
}
```
### Step 4: Restart and Test
Restart your application, then try:
```
"List all my notes"
"Add a note about Docker with tags devops and containers"
"Search for notes about devops"
```
---
## Multiple MCP Servers
You can run multiple servers simultaneously:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "~/Documents"]
},
"notes": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/mcp-server-typescript-starter/dist/index.js"]
},
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_TOKEN": "your-github-token"
}
}
}
}
```
---
## Troubleshooting
### Log File Locations
Check logs when servers aren't working:
| Application | Platform | Log Location |
|-------------|----------|--------------|
| Claude Desktop | macOS | `~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp.log` |
| Claude Desktop | Windows | `%APPDATA%\Claude\logs\mcp.log` |
| Cursor | All | Check Developer Tools (Help > Toggle Developer Tools) |
**View Claude Desktop logs (macOS):**
```bash
tail -n 50 -f ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log
```
### Server Not Appearing
| Symptom | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| No tools visible | Restart application completely |
| "spawn ENOENT" | Use absolute paths in config |
| Server crashes | Run `npm run build` again |
| JSON syntax error | Validate config at jsonlint.com |
### Verify Node.js Path
```bash
# Find node path
which node
# Common paths:
# System install: /usr/bin/node
# nvm: ~/.nvm/versions/node/v20.x.x/bin/node
```
Use the full path in your config for reliability.
### Common Errors
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|-------|-------|-----|
| `ENOENT` | Path not found | Use absolute paths |
| `EACCES` | Permission denied | `chmod +x` or check ownership |
| `MODULE_NOT_FOUND` | Missing dependencies | Run `npm install` |
| `SyntaxError` | Build not run | Run `npm run build` |
### Linux-Specific Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| `npx: command not found` | Reinstall Node.js or add to PATH |
| nvm node not found | Use full nvm node path in config |
| Permission denied | `sudo chown -R $USER:$USER ~/.npm` |
---
## Verification Checklist
- [ ] `node --version` shows 20+
- [ ] `npm --version` shows 10+
- [ ] `npm run build` completes without errors
- [ ] `npm run inspector` opens browser tool
- [ ] MCP host shows tools available
- [ ] "List all notes" returns sample notes
- [ ] "Add a note about X" creates new note
---
## What's Next?
| Video | Topic | Link |
|-------|-------|------|
| ā
Video 1 | What is MCP? | [Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMzEGEv-6-4) |
| ā
Video 2 | MCP Architecture | [Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7O9T6UxK5k) |
| ā
Video 3 | Install MCP Server | [Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbLNb2eNmf8) |
| š Video 4 | Build Your Own Server | Coming soon |
| š Video 5 | AI + Database | Coming soon |
---
## Quick Reference
### Config File Locations
| Application | Platform | Config Path |
|-------------|----------|-------------|
| Claude Desktop | macOS | `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Claude Desktop | Windows | `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Cursor | All | `~/.config/Cursor/User/globalStorage/cursor.mcp/config.json` |
| Claude Code | User scope | `~/.claude.json` |
| Claude Code | Project scope | `.mcp.json` (in project root) |
### Useful Commands
```bash
# Build this server
npm run build
# Test with inspector
npm run inspector
# Watch mode (auto-rebuild)
npm run dev
# Find node path
which node
```
### Claude Code MCP Commands
```bash
# Add stdio server (local)
claude mcp add --transport stdio <name> -- <command> [args...]
# Add HTTP server (remote)
claude mcp add --transport http <name> <url>
# Add with environment variable
claude mcp add --transport stdio api --env API_KEY=xxx -- npx server
# List all servers
claude mcp list
# Get server details
claude mcp get <name>
# Remove server
claude mcp remove <name>
# Check status (inside Claude Code)
/mcp
```
### Popular MCP Servers
| Server | Install | Purpose |
|--------|---------|---------|
| Filesystem | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem ~/path` | Read/write local files |
| GitHub | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github` | Manage repos, PRs, issues |
| Postgres | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres` | Query databases |
| Memory | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory` | Persistent memory |
| Brave Search | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search` | Web search |
| Puppeteer | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer` | Browser automation |
| Slack | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-slack` | Slack integration |
| Google Drive | `npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-gdrive` | Access Google Drive |
---
## Resources
### Official Documentation
- [MCP Quickstart](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart) - Getting started guide
- [MCP User Guide](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/user) - Detailed setup instructions
- [MCP Architecture](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/concepts/architecture) - How MCP works
### Downloads
- [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) (macOS/Windows only)
- [Cursor IDE](https://cursor.com) (All platforms including Linux)
- [Node.js LTS](https://nodejs.org/) - Required runtime
### Server Resources
- [Official MCP Servers](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers) - Maintained by Anthropic
- [MCP Server Registry](https://github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers#available-servers) - Full list
- [Building MCP Servers](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/server) - Create your own
### Linux-Specific
- [NodeSource for Ubuntu](https://github.com/nodesource/distributions) - Node.js packages
- [nvm (Node Version Manager)](https://github.com/nvm-sh/nvm) - Manage Node versions
---
Made with ā¤ļø by [Gheware DevOps AI](https://www.youtube.com/@gheware-devops-ai)
