MCP_SETUP_GUIDE.md•4.23 kB
# 🔧 MCP Configuration Setup Guide
## Your Stem MCP Server Configuration
This guide shows you exactly where to place your MCP configuration for different clients.
### 📍 **Configuration File Locations**
#### **1. Claude Desktop App (Recommended)**
```bash
# Location
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
# Create directory if needed
mkdir -p ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude
# Copy configuration
cp mcp-config-example.json ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
#### **2. VS Code Claude Extension**
```bash
# Location
~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
# Already created for you at:
/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
#### **3. Generic MCP Client**
```bash
# Location
~/.config/mcp/config.json
# Create directory
mkdir -p ~/.config/mcp
# Copy configuration
cp mcp-config-example.json ~/.config/mcp/config.json
```
### 🎯 **Current Configuration**
Your current MCP server configuration:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"stem-processing": {
"command": "python",
"args": ["-m", "stem_mcp.server"],
"cwd": "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/stem-mcp",
"env": {
"PYTHONPATH": "/Users/YOUR_USERNAME/stem-mcp/src"
}
}
}
}
```
### 🚀 **Quick Setup Commands**
**For Claude Desktop:**
```bash
# Create directory
mkdir -p ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude
# Copy config
cp mcp-config-example.json ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
**For VS Code Claude Extension:**
```bash
# Already done! File is at:
# ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
**Test the server:**
```bash
# Activate environment
source venv/bin/activate
# Start server in debug mode
python -m stem_mcp.server --debug
```
### 📱 **Client-Specific Instructions**
#### **Claude Desktop App**
1. Install Claude Desktop from [claude.ai](https://claude.ai/download)
2. Place config at `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
3. Restart Claude Desktop
4. You should see "stem-processing" tools available
#### **VS Code with Claude Extension**
1. Install the "Claude Dev" extension from VS Code marketplace
2. Config is already placed at `~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
3. Restart VS Code
4. Access Claude through the extension
#### **Custom MCP Client**
1. Use the generic config location: `~/.config/mcp/config.json`
2. Adjust the configuration based on your client's requirements
### 🔍 **Finding Your Current Setup**
**Check what MCP clients you have:**
```bash
# Check for Claude Desktop
ls ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/
# Check for VS Code Claude extension
ls ~/.config/claude/
# Check for generic MCP config
ls ~/.config/mcp/
```
**Verify your current config:**
```bash
# View the current configuration
cat ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
### 🛠️ **Troubleshooting**
**If the server doesn't start:**
1. Check Python path: `which python` (should be in your venv)
2. Verify virtual environment: `source venv/bin/activate`
3. Test server manually: `python -m stem_mcp.server --debug`
**If tools don't appear in client:**
1. Check config file location matches your client
2. Restart your MCP client completely
3. Check client logs for errors
**Common Issues:**
- **Wrong path**: Make sure `cwd` points to your stem-mcp directory
- **Python env**: Ensure PYTHONPATH includes the `src` directory
- **Permissions**: Config file should be readable by your client
### ✅ **Verification**
**Test that everything works:**
```bash
# 1. Activate virtual environment
source venv/bin/activate
# 2. Test server starts
timeout 5 python -m stem_mcp.server --debug
# 3. Run example test
python examples/test_tools.py
# 4. Check config exists
ls -la ~/.config/claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```
You should see:
- ✅ Server starts without errors
- ✅ 6 MCP tools are available
- ✅ Configuration file exists at the right location
### 📞 **Next Steps**
1. **Install an MCP Client** (Claude Desktop recommended)
2. **Place config in the right location** (done for VS Code Claude)
3. **Restart your client**
4. **Test the stem processing tools**
Your Stem MCP Server is ready to use! 🎵