MCP lets AI models like Claude connect to real tools — file systems, databases, APIs, and more. Build powerful AI workflows without writing complex integrations.
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard developed by Anthropic that lets AI assistants securely connect to external data sources and tools.
Think of it like a USB standard for AI — instead of building a custom integration for every tool, MCP gives you one universal way to connect Claude to anything.
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"/Users/you/Desktop"
]
}
}
}Drop these into your Claude Desktop config and unlock new capabilities instantly.
Read, write, and navigate files on your local machine. Claude can open documents, edit code files, and organize folders.
"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/your/path"]
Search repos, read files, create issues and pull requests, and manage GitHub directly from Claude.
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
"env": {"GITHUB_TOKEN": "ghp_..."}
Query and update SQLite databases using plain English. Claude writes and runs the SQL for you.
"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sqlite", "--db-path", "/path/to/db.sqlite"]
Let Claude fetch and read live web pages, documentation, and APIs in real time during your conversation.
"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-fetch"]
Control a real browser — take screenshots, fill forms, click buttons, and scrape dynamic web pages.
"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteer"]
Give Claude persistent memory across conversations. Store facts, preferences, and notes that survive session restarts.
"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"]
Let Claude control a real browser — take screenshots, fill forms, scrape pages, and automate the web.
Download the LTS version from nodejs.org and install it. Then verify in your terminal:
node --version
npm --versionRun this once in your terminal to download the Chromium, Firefox, and WebKit browser binaries:
npx playwright installFind and open this file in any text editor (Notepad, VS Code, etc.):
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Replace the contents of the file with the following (or add the "playwright" block if you already have other servers):
{
"mcpServers": {
"playwright": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest"]
}
}
}"--headed" inside the args array.Fully quit Claude Desktop and reopen it. Look for the tools icon (hammer ) in the chat input area — this confirms MCP is active and Playwright is connected.
@playwright/mcp is maintained by Microsoft ·
Runs headless (no visible browser window) by default
Works with Claude Desktop on Mac and Windows.
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
"mcpServers": {}.npx. Install Node.js from nodejs.org if you haven't already.Everything you need to go deeper with MCP.