Add an MCP Connector to Claude Code

A connector lets your assistant use another app or service, for example a notes app, a browser or a documentation service. Connectors use a shared standard called MCP (Model Context Protocol). The connector itself is called an MCP server.

There are two kinds:

• Remote: the connector runs on the internet. You add it with a web address (URL).
• Local: the connector runs on your computer. You add it with the command that starts it.

You add connectors from your normal terminal, not inside a Claude Code session.

Find the connector's setup line

Open the official page of the connector you want. Look for a URL such as https://mcp.example.com/mcp, or a start command such as npx -y @example/mcp-server. Only add connectors from people you trust: a connector can read what you send it and can bring outside text into your session.

Add a remote connector

The pattern is claude mcp add --transport http <name> <url>. You choose the name. Anthropic's example adds the Notion connector:

$ claude mcp add --transport http notion https://mcp.notion.com/mcp

Or add a local connector

The pattern is claude mcp add <name> -- <command>. Everything after -- is the command that starts the connector. Anthropic's example, with a made-up connector:

$ claude mcp add example --env API_KEY=your-key -- npx -y @example/mcp-server

--env passes a setting, such as a key, to the connector. Leave it out if the connector needs no key.

Check that it worked

The add command prints a line that starts with Added. Then list your connectors:

$ claude mcp list

Each connector shows a status, such as ✔ Connected, ! Needs authentication or ✘ Failed to connect. Inside a session, type /mcp to see your connectors and to sign in to a connector that needs it.

Choose who gets the connector

By default, a connector works only for you and only in the project where you added it. Add --scope to change that:

When a project folder has a .mcp.json file, Claude Code asks you to approve those connectors before it uses them.

Remove a connector

$ claude mcp remove notion

Replace notion with the name you chose. Browse connectors that we checked in our Connectors list.