# Remote Connection Quick Start
Connect Claude Desktop to this MCP server over your network in 3 steps.
**⚠️ Important:** This server now uses **Streamable HTTP (MCP 2025-03-26)** instead of the deprecated SSE transport.
**Note:** `mcp-remote` proxy may need updates to support Streamable HTTP. Check compatibility.
## Prerequisites
- Claude Desktop installed
- Node.js 18+ installed
- This MCP server built: `npm run build`
- LM Studio running with a model loaded
## Quick Start
### Step 1: Start the Server
```bash
npm run start:https
```
You should see:
```
[HTTPS] MCP Server listening on https://0.0.0.0:3010
[HTTPS] MCP endpoint: https://0.0.0.0:3010/mcp
[HTTPS] Protocol: Streamable HTTP (2025-03-26)
```
### Step 2: Add to Claude Desktop Config
**macOS:** Open `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
**Windows:** Open `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
Add this configuration:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"local-llm-remote": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-remote",
"https://localhost:3010/mcp"
],
"env": {
"NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED": "0"
}
}
}
}
```
Save the file.
### Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop
1. Quit Claude Desktop completely
2. Restart Claude Desktop
3. Check that tools are available (they'll appear in conversations)
## Verify It's Working
In Claude Desktop, ask:
```
List the available local models
```
You should get a response showing models loaded in LM Studio!
## From Another Computer
### Find Your IP Address
```bash
# macOS/Linux
ifconfig | grep "inet " | grep -v 127.0.0.1
# Windows
ipconfig
```
Example: `192.168.1.100`
### Update the Configuration
Change `localhost` to your IP:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"local-llm-remote": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"mcp-remote",
"https://192.168.1.100:3010/mcp"
],
"env": {
"NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED": "0"
}
}
}
}
```
## Troubleshooting
### "Connection refused"
**Check server is running:**
```bash
curl -k https://localhost:3010/health
```
Should return: `{"status":"ok"}`
**Check firewall:**
- macOS: System Settings > Network > Firewall > Allow Node.js
- Windows: Windows Defender > Allow Node.js through firewall
### "Cannot POST /mcp" error
**This is normal!** `mcp-remote` tries POST first, then falls back to SSE GET.
Look for this message (it means success):
```
Connected to remote server using SSEClientTransport
Proxy established successfully
```
### Tools don't appear
1. **Check server logs:**
```bash
tail -f /tmp/mcp-server.log
```
2. **Check Claude Desktop logs:**
- Settings > Developer > View Logs
3. **Completely restart Claude Desktop**
- Quit from menu bar
- Reopen
4. **Test mcp-remote directly:**
```bash
NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED=0 npx -y mcp-remote https://localhost:3010/mcp
```
Should show: "Proxy established successfully"
### Tools fail when called
**Check LM Studio:**
- Is LM Studio running?
- Is a model loaded?
- Is the server started? (Server tab > Start Server)
**Check LM Studio connection:**
```bash
curl http://localhost:1234/v1/models
```
Should return a list of models.
## Next Steps
- **See full documentation:** [CLAUDE_DESKTOP_REMOTE.md](docs/CLAUDE_DESKTOP_REMOTE.md)
- **Production setup:** [HTTPS_GUIDE.md](HTTPS_GUIDE.md)
- **Configuration examples:** [claude_desktop_config_examples.json](claude_desktop_config_examples.json)
## Common Use Cases
### Development on localhost
✅ Use as-is: `https://localhost:3010/mcp`
### Home network access
✅ Replace `localhost` with your IP: `https://192.168.1.100:3010/mcp`
### Production with valid SSL
✅ Use your domain: `https://your-domain.com/mcp`
⚠️ Remove `NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED=0`
## Security Notes
⚠️ **Development only:**
- `NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED=0` disables certificate validation
- Only use on trusted networks
- Never use in production
✅ **For production:**
- Get a valid SSL certificate (Let's Encrypt)
- Remove `NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED`
- Add authentication
- Use firewall rules
## Support
Having issues? Check:
1. Server logs: `tail -f /tmp/mcp-server.log`
2. Test connection: `curl -k https://localhost:3010/health`
3. Verify MCP spec compliance: `npm run test:spec`
4. Full documentation: [CLAUDE_DESKTOP_REMOTE.md](docs/CLAUDE_DESKTOP_REMOTE.md)
---
**That's it!** You should now have Claude Desktop connected to your local LLM server remotely. 🎉
