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MCP Server Installation Guide

docs/user-guide/mcp-installation.md

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MCP Server Installation Guide

SuperClaude provides a convenient CLI command for installing and managing MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers for Claude Code.

Quick Start

bash
# List available MCP servers
superclaude mcp --list

# Interactive installation (recommended for first-time users)
superclaude mcp

# Install specific servers
superclaude mcp --servers tavily --servers context7

# Install all servers
superclaude mcp --servers sequential-thinking context7 magic playwright serena morphllm-fast-apply tavily chrome-devtools

Available MCP Servers

ServerDescriptionRequires API Key
sequential-thinkingMulti-step problem solving and systematic analysisNo
context7Official library documentation and code examplesNo
magicModern UI component generation and design systemsYes (TWENTYFIRST_API_KEY)
playwrightCross-browser E2E testing and automationNo
serenaSemantic code analysis and intelligent editingNo
morphllm-fast-applyFast Apply for context-aware code modificationsYes (MORPH_API_KEY)
tavilyWeb search and real-time information retrievalYes (TAVILY_API_KEY)
chrome-devtoolsChrome DevTools debugging and performance analysisNo

Installation Scopes

MCP servers can be installed at different scopes:

  • local (default): Project-specific, private configuration
  • project: Team-shared via .mcp.json file in version control
  • user: Available across all projects on your machine
bash
# Install for current project only
superclaude mcp --servers tavily --scope local

# Install for team (shared in version control)
superclaude mcp --servers context7 --scope project

# Install for all your projects
superclaude mcp --servers sequential-thinking --scope user

API Key Management

Some MCP servers require API keys for full functionality. SuperClaude will prompt you to enter these keys during installation.

Getting API Keys

Setting API Keys

During installation, you'll be prompted:

šŸ”‘ MCP server 'tavily' requires an API key
   Environment variable: TAVILY_API_KEY
   Description: Tavily API key for web search (get from https://app.tavily.com)
   Would you like to set TAVILY_API_KEY now? [Y/n]:

You can also set environment variables beforehand:

bash
export TAVILY_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
export TWENTYFIRST_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"
export MORPH_API_KEY="your-api-key-here"

Prerequisites

Before installing MCP servers, ensure you have the following tools installed:

Required

  • Claude CLI: Required for all MCP server management
  • Node.js 18+: Required for npm-based MCP servers (most servers)

Optional

  • uv: Required only for Serena MCP server

Check prerequisites:

bash
# Check Claude CLI
claude --version

# Check Node.js
node --version

# Check uv (optional)
uv --version

Installation Process

  1. Check Available Servers

    bash
    superclaude mcp --list

  2. Install Servers

    Interactive mode (recommended):

    bash
    superclaude mcp

    Or specify servers directly:

    bash
    superclaude mcp --servers tavily context7

  3. Verify Installation

    bash
    claude mcp list

  4. Restart Claude Code

    After installation, restart your Claude Code session to use the new servers.

  5. Test Servers

    In Claude Code, use /mcp command to check server status and authenticate.

Advanced Usage

Dry Run

Preview what would be installed without actually installing:

bash
superclaude mcp --servers tavily --dry-run

Multiple Servers

Install multiple servers in one command:

bash
superclaude mcp --servers sequential-thinking context7 tavily

Custom Scope

Specify installation scope:

bash
superclaude mcp --servers tavily --scope project

Troubleshooting

Server Not Found

If you see "Unknown server: xxx", check the available servers:

bash
superclaude mcp --list

API Key Issues

If a server isn't working:

  1. Check if the API key is set:

    bash
    echo $TAVILY_API_KEY

  2. Verify the server is installed:

    bash
    claude mcp list

  3. Check server status in Claude Code:

    /mcp

Installation Fails

  1. Check prerequisites:

    bash
    claude --version
node --version

  2. Check Node.js version (must be 18+):

    bash
    node --version

  3. Try with verbose output:

    bash
    superclaude mcp --servers tavily 2>&1 | tee install.log

Integration with SuperClaude Commands

MCP servers enhance SuperClaude commands with additional capabilities:

  • /sc:research - Uses Tavily for web search and real-time information
  • /sc:implement - Can use Context7 for official documentation
  • /sc:design - Can use Magic for UI component generation
  • /sc:test - Can use Playwright for browser automation

Best Practices

  1. Start with essentials: Install sequential-thinking and context7 first
  2. Add as needed: Install other servers based on your workflow needs
  3. Use project scope: For team projects, use --scope project for shared configuration
  4. Secure API keys: Never commit API keys to version control

See Also