Best MCP Servers for Claude Desktop
A curated list of MCP servers that work well with Claude Desktop. Each server listed here has been verified to install via npx and connect correctly to Claude.
What Makes an MCP Server Good for Claude?
Not every MCP server works equally well in Claude Desktop. A good Claude-compatible server should: (1) install cleanly via npx without complex build steps, (2) use stdio transport (the default for Claude Desktop), (3) expose tools with clear descriptions so Claude knows when to use them, and (4) handle errors gracefully without crashing the connection.
Top MCP Servers for Claude Desktop
Filesystem — Local File Access
The official Filesystem MCP server lets Claude read, write, and search files in directories you explicitly allow. This is the most commonly used server because it directly addresses Claude's inability to access your local files.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/allowed/dirUse case: Editing code, analyzing logs, batch-renaming files, or summarizing documents. The server respects the allowed directory boundary — it cannot escape outside the paths you configure.
Brave Search — Web Search
Brave Search gives Claude the ability to search the web. Unlike training data which has a cutoff date, this server lets Claude retrieve current information. You need a free Brave Search API key.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-searchUse case: Researching current events, checking documentation for recent API changes, or finding libraries that did not exist at training time.
GitHub — Repository Operations
The GitHub MCP server enables Claude to read repositories, search code, create issues, and manage pull requests. It requires a GitHub personal access token with appropriate scopes.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-githubUse case: Reviewing PRs, searching across repos, creating issues from conversation context, or analyzing code without cloning locally.
PostgreSQL — Database Queries
The PostgreSQL server provides read-only database access with schema inspection. Claude can list tables, describe columns, and run SELECT queries. It does not allow writes by default.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres postgresql://localhost/mydbUse case: Exploring database schemas, writing queries from natural language descriptions, or analyzing data without opening a SQL client.
Puppeteer — Browser Automation
Puppeteer lets Claude control a headless Chromium browser. It can navigate to URLs, click elements, fill forms, take screenshots, and extract page content. This is useful when a site blocks simple HTTP fetch or requires JavaScript execution.
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-puppeteerUse case: Scraping JavaScript-rendered pages, taking screenshots for visual comparison, or automating web workflows that require interaction.
How to Install MCP Servers in Claude Desktop
All the servers above use the same installation pattern. Open Claude Desktop, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config, and add the server to your claude_desktop_config.json. Here is an example with multiple servers:
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/Users/you/projects"]
},
"brave-search": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
"env": {
"BRAVE_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
}
},
"github": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
"env": {
"GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
}
}
}
}Save the file and restart Claude Desktop. The servers will appear as available tools when you start a new conversation.
Claude Desktop vs. Claude API: MCP Support
This is the most important distinction to understand. Claude Desktop supports MCP servers. The Claude API does not. If you are building an application that calls the Anthropic API directly, you cannot plug in an MCP server. Instead, implement function calling with the tools parameter.
MCP is essentially a standardized wrapper around the same concept. The protocol defines how tools are discovered and called, but the underlying mechanism — the model deciding to invoke an external function — is the same.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Server does not appear in Claude
Check the config file path. On macOS it is ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. On Windows: %APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Validate your JSON — a trailing comma will break it.
"npx: command not found"
Claude Desktop inherits PATH from your shell profile on macOS, but not always on Windows. Try using the full path to npx (run which npx or where npx to find it) or ensure Node.js is installed system-wide.
Permission denied errors
The Filesystem server only accesses directories you explicitly list. If you see permission errors, verify the path in the args array is correct and that your user has read/write access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Claude API support MCP servers?
No. MCP servers only work with Claude Desktop, not the Claude API. The Model Context Protocol requires a local runtime that the API does not provide. If you need tool use via API, use Anthropic's function calling instead.
How many MCP servers can I run in Claude Desktop at once?
There is no hard limit, but the practical limit is around 5–10 servers depending on complexity. Each server adds startup time and memory overhead. If Claude feels slow, try reducing the number of active servers.
Are MCP servers free?
Most official MCP servers are open-source and free to use. However, some servers require API keys for third-party services — for example, Brave Search needs a Brave Search API key. Always check the server's documentation for credential requirements.
Why isn't my MCP server showing up in Claude?
Common causes: (1) Wrong config file path — Claude Desktop uses ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS. (2) Invalid JSON syntax. (3) npx is not in your PATH. (4) You forgot to restart Claude Desktop after editing the config.
Can I build a custom MCP server for Claude?
Yes. The Model Context Protocol is open, and Anthropic provides SDKs for TypeScript and Python. A custom server implements the MCP protocol over stdio or HTTP and exposes tools, resources, and prompts that Claude can discover and use.
Browse more MCP servers in our curated MCP server directory. We list servers for Claude, Cursor, and generic clients across categories including filesystem, database, web, browser, and more.