# Claude Code MCP Configuration Guide
## Overview
This guide provides the correct configuration for using the AI Collaboration MCP Server with Claude Code.
## Configuration Steps
### 1. Project Structure
When using the MCP server as a git submodule or within your project:
```
your-project/
├── .mcp-server/ # The AI Collaboration MCP server
│ ├── src/
│ │ └── index.js
│ └── node_modules/
├── .mcp.json # Claude Code configuration
└── ... (your project files)
```
### 2. Create .mcp.json Configuration
Create a `.mcp.json` file in your project root with this configuration:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ai-collab": {
"command": "node",
"args": [".mcp-server/src/index.js"],
"cwd": "/absolute/path/to/your/project",
"env": {
"PROJECT_PATH": "/absolute/path/to/your/project",
"NODE_PATH": "/absolute/path/to/your/project/.mcp-server/node_modules"
}
}
}
}
```
### 3. Key Configuration Points
**Important:** The following elements are critical for Claude Code:
1. **Use relative paths in `args`**: Claude Code works better with relative paths from the working directory
2. **Specify `cwd`**: Always include the working directory - this is where Claude Code will run the command from
3. **Include `NODE_PATH`**: This ensures the MCP server can find its dependencies
4. **Use absolute paths for `cwd` and environment variables**
### 4. Example Configuration
For a project at `/Users/username/projects/my-app`:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ai-collab": {
"command": "node",
"args": [".mcp-server/src/index.js"],
"cwd": "/Users/username/projects/my-app",
"env": {
"PROJECT_PATH": "/Users/username/projects/my-app",
"NODE_PATH": "/Users/username/projects/my-app/.mcp-server/node_modules"
}
}
}
}
```
### 5. Troubleshooting
If the MCP server fails to start:
1. **Check the MCP status**: Use the `/mcp` command in Claude Code
2. **Verify paths**: Ensure all paths in the configuration exist
3. **Test manually**: Run `node .mcp-server/src/index.js` from your project directory
4. **Check dependencies**: Run `npm install` in the `.mcp-server` directory
5. **Restart Claude Code**: Configuration changes require a restart
### 6. Alternative: Global Installation
If you prefer a global installation:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"ai-collab": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/Users/username/tools/ai-collab-mcp/src/index.js"],
"cwd": "/Users/username/projects/my-app",
"env": {
"PROJECT_PATH": "/Users/username/projects/my-app",
"NODE_PATH": "/Users/username/tools/ai-collab-mcp/node_modules"
}
}
}
}
```
## Verification
Once configured, verify the MCP server is working:
```
@ai-collab ping
```
Should return: "pong - AI Collaboration MCP Server is running"
