# Claude Desktop Setup with Docker
This guide shows how to set up the Eraser MCP server with Claude Desktop using Docker.
## Quick Setup
### 1. Build the Docker Image
```bash
./scripts/build-claude-docker.sh
```
This creates a Docker image named `eraser-mcp:claude`.
### 2. Configure Claude Desktop
Add this configuration to your Claude Desktop settings file:
#### Configuration File Location
- **macOS**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Linux**: `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
#### Configuration with API Key
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"eraser": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"-e", "ERASER_API_KEY=yourapikey",
"eraser-mcp:claude"
]
}
}
}
```
#### Alternative: Using .env File
If you have a `.env` file with your API key:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"eraser": {
"command": "docker",
"args": [
"run",
"-i",
"--rm",
"--env-file", "/absolute/path/to/your/project/.env",
"eraser-mcp:claude"
]
}
}
}
```
### 3. Restart Claude Desktop
After saving the configuration file, completely quit and restart Claude Desktop.
## Testing Your Setup
Test the configuration by asking Claude Desktop:
- "Can you create a sequence diagram?"
- "Show me what Eraser diagram tools you have available"
If working correctly, Claude will have access to:
- `create_diagram` - Creates and renders diagrams
- `validate_diagram` - Validates diagram syntax
- `fix_diagram` - Fixes common syntax errors
## Troubleshooting
### Docker Image Not Found
**Error**: `Unable to find image 'eraser-mcp:claude'`
**Solution**: Run the build script: `./scripts/build-claude-docker.sh`
### API Key Issues
**Error**: `ERASER_API_KEY environment variable is required`
**Solution**:
- Check your API key is correct in the configuration
- For .env file approach, verify the path is absolute and file exists
### Permission Issues
**Error**: Docker permission denied
**Solution**: Ensure Docker is running and your user has Docker permissions
### Manual Testing
Before adding to Claude Desktop, test manually:
```bash
# Test with direct API key
echo '{"method":"tools/list"}' | docker run -i --rm -e ERASER_API_KEY=your_key eraser-mcp:claude
# Test with .env file
echo '{"method":"tools/list"}' | docker run -i --rm --env-file .env eraser-mcp:claude
```
Both should return a JSON response listing the available MCP tools.
## Updating
To update after making code changes:
```bash
./scripts/build-claude-docker.sh
```
This rebuilds the Docker image with your latest changes.
