How do I add an MCP server to Claude?

In Claude Desktop, add the server to your claude_desktop_config.json file under mcpServers. In Claude Code CLI, run claude mcp add server-name or edit the .claude.json config. Each tool page on Best MCP Tools includes the exact command.

What can Claude do with MCP servers?

With MCP servers, Claude can search the web, read and write files, query databases, automate browsers, manage GitHub repos, post to Slack, look up Stripe data, and connect to thousands of other services — all from within a conversation.

Are MCP servers safe to use with Claude?

MCP servers run on your local machine or as authenticated cloud services — Claude does not gain arbitrary internet access. Each MCP server has a defined set of tools it exposes, and most like Filesystem MCP support path scoping so Claude can only access what you explicitly allow.

Category · Claude MCP

Best MCP Servers for Claude in 2026

Claude MCP servers extend what Claude can do in Claude Desktop and Claude Code — from searching the web and querying databases to automating browsers and managing files. Here are the top-rated MCP tools compatible with Claude.

What is Claude MCP?

Claude MCP refers to MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers that work with Claude — either in Claude Desktop, Claude Code (the CLI), or any Claude-powered application. Anthropic developed the MCP standard and Claude has native support for it. When you configure an MCP server, Claude gains the ability to call its tools during conversations — reading files, querying databases, searching the web, or automating tasks in external services.

How to add MCP to Claude

To add an MCP server to Claude Desktop, edit your Claude Desktop config file at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on Mac and add the server under mcpServers. In Claude Code CLI, use claude mcp add server-name or edit the .claude.json config. Each MCP server listing on Best MCP Tools includes the exact install command and config snippet.