MCP clients

Good to know

• Pick by workflow

  Match the client to where you already work. Editor, IDE, or chat app.

• Most support remote MCP

  Four of the five clients here connect to hosted servers by URL. Zed currently focuses on local servers.

• Configuration is JSON

  Every client uses a small JSON file to declare which MCP servers to load and how to start them.

Add a server in 3 steps

1. 1

   Install your client

   Tap a card above to open the download or install page for the client you want.

2. 2

   Open the MCP config

   Each client uses a small JSON file to define which servers to load. The Docs link shows the exact path.

3. 3

   Add a server

   Paste a server URL or local command, save the file, and restart the client. Tools show up in your next chat.

Frequently asked

What is an MCP client?

An MCP client is the app you chat with. It connects to MCP servers so the AI can use tools, read files, or call APIs for you.

Which client should I pick first?

Claude Desktop covers the most MCP features. Cursor is best if you live in your code editor. Cline is the easiest start thanks to its built in marketplace.

Do all clients support remote MCP servers?

Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and Cline support remote MCP servers over HTTP or SSE. Zed currently focuses on local servers only.

Can I use MCP on Claude.ai in a browser?

Not yet. As of April 2026, MCP support in Anthropic products is in Claude Desktop on macOS and Windows. Browser support may come later.

Do I need to know JSON to set up MCP?

Most clients use a small JSON file. It is short and easy to copy from docs. Cline ships a built in marketplace so you can install servers with one tap, no JSON needed.