# Claude Desktop Integration
The official Claude Desktop app is the reference implementation for MCP.
## Configuration Location
Edit the configuration file located at:
- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
## Configuration
Open the file in any text editor (VS Code, TextEdit, Notepad) and add the server:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"smart-coding-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"smart-coding-mcp",
"--workspace",
"/absolute/path/to/your/project"
]
}
}
}
```
> **Important:** Claude Desktop does **NOT** support `${workspaceFolder}`. You must provide the absolute path to the directory you want to index.
---
## Configuring Rules (Project Instructions)
Claude Desktop uses **Projects** with custom instructions.
### Creating Project Instructions
1. **Create a new Project** in Claude Desktop
2. Click **"Set project instructions"**
3. Add your guidelines:
```
# Smart Coding MCP Usage Rules
You must prioritize using the **Smart Coding MCP** tools for the following tasks.
## 1. Dependency Management
**Trigger:** When checking, adding, or updating package versions (npm, python, go, rust, etc.).
**Action:**
- **MUST** use the `d_check_last_version` tool.
- **DO NOT** guess versions or trust internal training data.
- **DO NOT** use generic web search unless `d_check_last_version` fails.
## 2. Codebase Research
**Trigger:** When asking about "how" something works, finding logic, or understanding architecture.
**Action:**
- **MUST** use `a_semantic_search` as the FIRST tool for any codebase research
- **DO NOT** use `Glob` or `Grep` for exploratory searches
- Use `Grep` ONLY for exact literal string matching (e.g., finding a specific error message)
- Use `Glob` ONLY when you already know the exact filename pattern
## 3. Environment & Status
**Trigger:** When starting a session or debugging the environment.
**Action:**
- Use `e_set_workspace` if the current workspace path is incorrect.
- Use `f_get_status` to verify the MCP server is healthy and indexed.
```
4. Click **"Save instructions"**
These instructions apply to all chats within that project.
---
## Verification
1. Restart Claude Desktop.
2. Look for the plug icon 🔌 in the top right of the chat interface.
3. Click it to see the list of connected servers. You should see `smart-coding-mcp` with status "Connected".
