# Installation
Three installation methods are available. The automated script is recommended for most users.
## Option 1: Automated Installation (Recommended)
**macOS / Linux:**
```bash
git clone https://github.com/doobidoo/MCP-Context-Provider.git
cd MCP-Context-Provider
./scripts/install.sh
```
**Windows:**
```powershell
git clone https://github.com/doobidoo/MCP-Context-Provider.git
cd MCP-Context-Provider
.\scripts\install.bat
```
The script automatically builds the DXT package, creates a Python virtual environment, installs dependencies, and configures Claude Desktop.
## Option 2: Manual Installation from DXT
```bash
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/dxt
wget https://github.com/doobidoo/MCP-Context-Provider/raw/main/mcp-context-provider-1.8.4.dxt
dxt unpack mcp-context-provider-1.8.4.dxt ~/mcp-context-provider
cd ~/mcp-context-provider
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate # Windows: venv\Scripts\activate
pip install mcp>=1.9.4
```
## Option 3: Installation from Source
```bash
git clone https://github.com/doobidoo/MCP-Context-Provider.git
cd MCP-Context-Provider
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt
```
## Claude Desktop Configuration
Update your `claude_desktop_config.json`:
| Platform | Config Location |
|----------|----------------|
| macOS | `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Linux | `~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Windows | `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` |
**Virtual environment setup (recommended):**
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"context-provider": {
"command": "/path/to/mcp-context-provider/venv/bin/python",
"args": ["/path/to/mcp-context-provider/context_provider_server.py"],
"env": {
"CONTEXT_CONFIG_DIR": "/path/to/mcp-context-provider/contexts",
"AUTO_LOAD_CONTEXTS": "true"
}
}
}
}
```
Replace `/path/to/mcp-context-provider` with your actual installation path.
## Verify Installation
```bash
python scripts/verify_install.py
```
Then restart Claude Desktop to load the MCP server.
