How to add an MCP server to Claude Desktop

Checked against Claude Desktop's documentation on Oct 26, 2026. Commands and config blocks are generated from the same install data as each listing page.

1. 1. Choose a server and see what it needs

   Claude Desktop keeps servers at the user level only, and it splits them between a JSON file for local servers and the app for hosted ones.

   • Playwright MCP: runs locally, no key needed.
   • Figma MCP Server: hosted, connect by URL, no key needed.
   • Firecrawl MCP Server: runs locally, can take FIRECRAWL_API_KEY.
   • Where Claude Desktop can keep a server: user only. The JSON file is for local servers; remote servers are added in the app as custom connectors.

2. 2. Add a local server (Playwright MCP)

   Claude Desktop reads local servers from claude_desktop_config.json. On macOS the file sits under ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json, and the caption shows the Windows path.

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "playwright-mcp": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "-y",
           "@playwright/mcp@0.0.82"
         ]
       }
     }
   }

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3. 3. Add a remote server (Figma MCP Server)

   Hosted servers never touch the JSON file in Claude Desktop. You add Figma MCP Server through the app's connector settings.

   • Open Customize > Connectors and choose Add custom connector.
   • Enter a name and the server URL: https://mcp.figma.com/mcp
   • Review the sign-in settings Claude detects, then add the connector.
   • Switch the connector on for a conversation from the + menu in the chat box.
   • Remote servers are not added in claude_desktop_config.json; that file is for local servers.

4. 4. Keep API keys out of the file (Firecrawl MCP Server)

   The JSON file stores the key as a literal value under env, so the example uses a placeholder that you replace with your own key.

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "firecrawl-mcp-server": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "-y",
           "firecrawl-mcp@3.34.1"
         ],
         "env": {
           "FIRECRAWL_API_KEY": "YOUR_FIRECRAWL_API_KEY"
         }
       }
     }
   }

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   • The env object passes literal values; the docs do not describe ${VAR} expansion, so the secret sits in the config file.
   • This puts the value in claude_desktop_config.json in plain text; keep that file out of version control.
   • FIRECRAWL_API_KEY (optional): Your API key for Firecrawl.

5. 5. Restart or reload if the server does not appear

   For Claude Desktop the notes state that a restart is required, so do not skip this step after you edit the file.

   • Required. After saving the file, completely quit Claude Desktop and start it again.
   • Local servers run with your user account's permissions, so only give them access to folders you are comfortable with.