# Configuration Guide
Configure ChatSpatial MCP server for your environment.
---
## MCP Client Configuration
### Claude Desktop
Edit Claude Desktop configuration file:
**Location:**
- macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- Windows: `%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- Linux: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
**Basic Configuration:**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"chatspatial": {
"command": "/path/to/chatspatial_env/bin/python",
"args": ["-m", "chatspatial", "server"]
}
}
}
```
**Real Example:**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"chatspatial": {
"command": "/Users/yourname/Projects/chatspatial_env/bin/python",
"args": ["-m", "chatspatial", "server"]
}
}
}
```
**Why use virtual environment path?** Ensures ChatSpatial uses the correct Python with all required packages, avoiding system-wide conflicts.
**Important:** Restart Claude Desktop after configuration changes.
---
### Claude Code (Terminal/IDE)
```bash
# Find your virtual environment Python path
source chatspatial_env/bin/activate
which python
# Copy the output path
# Add ChatSpatial MCP server
claude mcp add chatspatial -- /Users/yourname/chatspatial_env/bin/python -m chatspatial server
# Verify connection
claude mcp list
# Should show: chatspatial: ... - Connected
```
**Key points:**
- The `--` separates Claude CLI options from the server command
- Always use absolute path from `which python`
- Use `--scope user` to make ChatSpatial available across all projects
---
### Other MCP Clients
For other MCP-compatible clients:
1. **Find Python path:** Activate virtual environment and run `which python`
2. **Use in configuration:** Replace `"python"` with the full path
ChatSpatial follows the standard MCP protocol and works with any MCP-compatible client.
---
## Environment Variables (Optional)
Configure ChatSpatial behavior using environment variables:
### Data Storage
```bash
# Set custom data directory for saved datasets
export CHATSPATIAL_DATA_DIR="/path/to/your/spatial/data"
```
**Usage:** When you use `save_data()` without specifying `output_path`, datasets are saved to this directory.
**Default:** `.chatspatial_saved/` next to original data file
---
## Troubleshooting Configuration
### Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---------|----------|
| "python not found" | Use full path to virtual environment Python |
| "module not found" | Ensure virtual environment is activated before adding server |
| Claude can't connect | Check JSON syntax and restart Claude Desktop |
| Server not showing up | Verify Python path is correct with `which python` |
### Verify Configuration
```bash
# Make sure you're in the virtual environment
which python
# Should show virtual environment path, not system Python
# Test ChatSpatial import
python -c "import chatspatial; print(f'ChatSpatial {chatspatial.__version__} ready')"
# Test MCP server
python -m chatspatial server --help
# Should display server options
```
---
## Next Steps
- [Quick Start](../quickstart.md) - Start analyzing data
- [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md) - Solve common problems
- [Methods Reference](methods-reference.md) - Explore available tools
