---
title: Claude Code CLI Integration
description: "Step-by-step guide to configure GitLab MCP Server with Claude Code CLI. Enable GitLab tool access for AI-assisted development including merge requests, issues, and CI/CD workflows."
head:
- - meta
- name: keywords
content: Claude Code, GitLab MCP, CLI configuration, MCP server setup, stdio transport, Anthropic Claude
---
# Claude Code CLI Integration
Configure GitLab MCP for [Claude Code](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code) (CLI).
## Auto-Setup
```bash
npx @structured-world/gitlab-mcp install --claude-code
```
## Detection
| Method | Details |
|--------|---------|
| Type | CLI command |
| Command | `claude` |
| Auto-detected | Yes (when `claude` is in PATH) |
## Config File Location
| OS | Path |
|----|------|
| macOS | `~/.claude.json` |
| Windows | `%USERPROFILE%\.claude.json` |
| Linux | `~/.claude.json` |
## Configuration
Add to your `~/.claude.json`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@structured-world/gitlab-mcp"],
"env": {
"GITLAB_TOKEN": "glpat-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx",
"GITLAB_API_URL": "https://gitlab.com"
}
}
}
}
```
## CLI Installation
Claude Code also supports adding MCP servers via CLI:
```bash
claude mcp add gitlab -- npx -y @structured-world/gitlab-mcp
```
Set environment variables separately in your shell profile or `.env` file.
## Remote Server
Connect to a running GitLab MCP HTTP server:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"gitlab": {
"type": "streamable-http",
"url": "http://localhost:3333/mcp"
}
}
}
```
## Verification
```bash
# Start Claude Code and check available tools
claude
# Within Claude Code, ask:
# "List available GitLab tools"
```
## Troubleshooting
- **Server not loading**: Restart Claude Code session after config changes
- **"Command not found"**: Ensure `npx` is available (Node.js >= 24)
- **Permission issues**: Check file permissions on `~/.claude.json`
## See Also
- [Quick Start](/guide/quick-start)
- [Configuration reference](/guide/configuration)
- [Troubleshooting](/troubleshooting/clients)
