MCP Server Management

IMPORTANT: After adding, removing, or updating MCP servers, inform the user to restart Claude Code for changes to take effect.

CRITICAL: Before removing any server, use AskUserQuestion to confirm with the user.

Quick Reference

# Install
claude mcp add --transport http <name> <url>
claude mcp add --transport stdio <name> -- <command> [args...]

# List/inspect
claude mcp list
claude mcp get <name>

# Remove (confirm with user first!)
claude mcp remove <name>

Options must come BEFORE the server name.

Searching for MCP Servers

When users ask to find or install an MCP server, see references/search.md for:

• •Official vendor server lookup (always try first)
• •MCP Registry API queries (fallback)
• •Known official servers table
• •User choice template format

Trust hierarchy: Official vendor > MCP reference servers > Verified partners > Community

Adding Servers

With Environment Variables

The --env CLI flag is unreliable with special characters. Instead:

1. •

   Add server without env vars:

   bash

   claude mcp add --transport stdio <name> -- npx -y @package/mcp-server
   

2. •

   Edit config file to add env vars. See references/scopes.md for file locations.

Collect Configuration First

Before installing, check if the server needs API keys or tokens. Use AskUserQuestion to collect required values before running install commands.

Updating Servers

No direct update command exists. Options:

1. •Edit config directly (preferred for credential changes)
2. •Remove and re-add (confirm removal with user first)
3. •Use environment variables for credentials that change often

For OAuth servers (GitHub, Sentry): Run /mcp in Claude Code to re-authenticate.

Removing Servers

⚠️ Always confirm with user via AskUserQuestion before removing.

claude mcp remove <server-name>

For project-scoped servers in .mcp.json, delete the entry from the file after user confirmation.

Reference

• •Search and known servers: references/search.md
• •Transport types: references/transports.md
• •Scopes and config files: references/scopes.md
• •Troubleshooting: references/troubleshooting.md

Scopes Summary

Environment Variable Syntax

In config files: ${VAR} or ${VAR:-default}

Windows Note

Use cmd /c wrapper for npx:

claude mcp add --transport stdio my-server -- cmd /c npx -y @some/package