# Configuration Reference
This guide provides comprehensive configuration options and settings for Trello Desktop MCP.
## Basic Configuration
### Claude Desktop Configuration
The primary configuration for Trello Desktop MCP is done through Claude Desktop's MCP configuration file.
#### Configuration File Locations
| Platform | Configuration File Path |
|----------|------------------------|
| **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 Structure
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/trello-desktop-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
}
}
}
}
```
## Environment Variables
### Required Variables
| Variable | Description | Example |
|----------|-------------|---------|
| `TRELLO_API_KEY` | Your Trello API key from [trello.com/app-key](https://trello.com/app-key) | `a1b2c3d4e5f6g7h8i9j0k1l2m3n4o5p6` |
| `TRELLO_TOKEN` | Your Trello token with read/write permissions | `long-token-string-here` |
### Optional Variables
| Variable | Description | Default | Example |
|----------|-------------|---------|---------|
| `LOG_LEVEL` | Logging verbosity | `info` | `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error` |
| `REQUEST_TIMEOUT` | API request timeout (ms) | `15000` | `30000` |
| `MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS` | Maximum retry attempts for failed requests | `3` | `5` |
| `RETRY_BASE_DELAY` | Base delay for retry backoff (ms) | `1000` | `2000` |
### Advanced Configuration Example
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/absolute/path/to/trello-desktop-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "your-api-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "your-token",
"LOG_LEVEL": "debug",
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "30000",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "5",
"RETRY_BASE_DELAY": "2000"
}
}
}
}
```
## Trello API Credentials Setup
### Step 1: Get API Key
1. Visit [https://trello.com/app-key](https://trello.com/app-key)
2. Copy your **API Key** (32-character string)
3. Save this as your `TRELLO_API_KEY`
### Step 2: Generate Token
1. On the same page, click the **Token** link next to "To read a user's private information and to update, create and delete a user's boards and organizations."
2. Authorize the application with these settings:
- **Application Name**: Trello Desktop MCP
- **Scope**: Read and Write
- **Expiration**: Never (recommended for personal use)
3. Copy the generated token (64+ character string)
4. Save this as your `TRELLO_TOKEN`
### Token Permissions
Your token should have these permissions:
- ✅ **Read**: Access to view boards, cards, lists, members
- ✅ **Write**: Ability to create, update, and delete content
- ✅ **Account**: Access to user profile information
### Security Considerations
- **Never commit credentials to version control**
- **Store credentials only in Claude Desktop config**
- **Regenerate tokens if they may have been exposed**
- **Use tokens with minimal required permissions**
- **Consider token expiration for shared systems**
## Server Configuration Options
### Retry Configuration
The MCP server includes robust retry logic with configurable parameters:
```typescript
interface RetryConfig {
maxRetries: number; // Maximum retry attempts (default: 3)
baseDelay: number; // Base delay in ms (default: 1000)
maxDelay: number; // Maximum delay in ms (default: 10000)
}
```
**Environment Variable Mapping**:
- `MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS` → `maxRetries`
- `RETRY_BASE_DELAY` → `baseDelay`
- `RETRY_MAX_DELAY` → `maxDelay`
### Request Timeout Configuration
Control API request timeouts:
```json
{
"env": {
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "30000" // 30 seconds
}
}
```
**Timeout Recommendations**:
- **Fast networks**: 15000ms (15 seconds)
- **Slow networks**: 30000ms (30 seconds)
- **Mobile/cellular**: 45000ms (45 seconds)
### Logging Configuration
Configure logging verbosity:
```json
{
"env": {
"LOG_LEVEL": "info"
}
}
```
**Log Levels**:
- `error`: Only errors and critical issues
- `warn`: Warnings and errors
- `info`: General information, warnings, and errors (default)
- `debug`: Detailed debugging information
**Log Output Locations**:
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp-server-trello.log`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\Logs\mcp-server-trello.log`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/Claude/Logs/mcp-server-trello.log`
## Multiple Configuration Profiles
### Development vs Production
You can maintain different configurations for different environments:
#### Development Configuration
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello-dev": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/dev/path/to/trello-desktop-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "dev-api-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "dev-token",
"LOG_LEVEL": "debug",
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "10000"
}
}
}
}
```
#### Production Configuration
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/prod/path/to/trello-desktop-mcp/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "prod-api-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "prod-token",
"LOG_LEVEL": "warn",
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "30000",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "5"
}
}
}
}
```
### Team vs Personal Configuration
#### Personal Use
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "personal-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "personal-token-never-expires",
"LOG_LEVEL": "info"
}
}
}
}
```
#### Team Use
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/shared/path/to/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "team-service-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "team-token-30-days",
"LOG_LEVEL": "warn",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "5",
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "45000"
}
}
}
}
```
## Configuration Validation
### Automatic Validation
The MCP server automatically validates configuration on startup:
1. **Credential Validation**: Tests API key and token
2. **Network Connectivity**: Verifies Trello API access
3. **Permission Validation**: Confirms required permissions
### Manual Validation
Test your configuration manually:
```bash
# Test basic API access
curl "https://api.trello.com/1/members/me?key=YOUR_KEY&token=YOUR_TOKEN"
# Expected response: Your user profile information
```
### Configuration Troubleshooting
| Issue | Symptom | Solution |
|-------|---------|----------|
| **Invalid JSON** | Claude Desktop fails to start | Validate JSON syntax |
| **Wrong path** | Tools not available | Use absolute path to `dist/index.js` |
| **Invalid credentials** | Authentication errors | Regenerate API key/token |
| **Permission denied** | 403 errors | Check token permissions |
| **Network issues** | Timeout errors | Increase `REQUEST_TIMEOUT` |
## Advanced Configuration
### Custom API Client Settings
For advanced users, you can modify the Trello API client behavior:
```typescript
// In your custom build
const client = new TrelloClient(credentials, {
baseURL: 'https://api.trello.com/1',
timeout: 30000,
retryConfig: {
maxRetries: 5,
baseDelay: 2000,
maxDelay: 30000
}
});
```
### Performance Tuning
#### High-Volume Usage
```json
{
"env": {
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "60000",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "5",
"RETRY_BASE_DELAY": "2000",
"LOG_LEVEL": "warn"
}
}
```
#### Low-Latency Requirements
```json
{
"env": {
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "5000",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "1",
"RETRY_BASE_DELAY": "500",
"LOG_LEVEL": "error"
}
}
```
#### Mobile/Unreliable Networks
```json
{
"env": {
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "45000",
"MAX_RETRY_ATTEMPTS": "7",
"RETRY_BASE_DELAY": "3000",
"RETRY_MAX_DELAY": "60000"
}
}
```
## Configuration Management Best Practices
### 1. Security Best Practices
```json
// ✅ Good: Environment variables
{
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "key-from-secure-source",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "token-from-secure-source"
}
}
// ❌ Bad: Hardcoded credentials
{
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "hardcoded-key-in-config",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "hardcoded-token-in-config"
}
}
```
### 2. Configuration Documentation
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"trello": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/path/to/dist/index.js"],
"env": {
"TRELLO_API_KEY": "your-key",
"TRELLO_TOKEN": "your-token",
"_COMMENT_LOG_LEVEL": "Set to debug for development, info for production",
"LOG_LEVEL": "info",
"_COMMENT_TIMEOUT": "Increase for slow networks or large operations",
"REQUEST_TIMEOUT": "30000"
}
}
}
}
```
### 3. Configuration Backup
```bash
# Backup configuration before changes
cp ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json \
~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json.backup
# Version control (without credentials)
git add claude_desktop_config.template.json
```
### 4. Environment-Specific Configuration
```bash
# Development
export CLAUDE_CONFIG_ENV=development
# Production
export CLAUDE_CONFIG_ENV=production
# Load environment-specific config
```
## Monitoring and Health Checks
### Health Check Configuration
```json
{
"env": {
"HEALTH_CHECK_ENABLED": "true",
"HEALTH_CHECK_INTERVAL": "300000" // 5 minutes
}
}
```
### Telemetry Configuration
```json
{
"env": {
"TELEMETRY_ENABLED": "true",
"APPLICATION_INSIGHTS_KEY": "your-insights-key"
}
}
```
---
**Next Steps**:
- Review [Installation Guide](Installation-Guide) for setup instructions
- Check [Troubleshooting](Troubleshooting) for configuration issues
- Explore [Security](Security) for advanced security configurations
