What is an MCP server?

A small program or hosted service that exposes tools and data to an AI assistant through the Model Context Protocol — for example “search my GitHub issues” or “read this folder”. Local servers run on your computer; remote servers run online.

Where is claude_desktop_config.json?

On macOS it's in ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/, and on Windows in %APPDATA%\Claude\. The easiest way to open it is Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config.

What's the difference between stdio and HTTP servers?

stdio servers are started by your AI app as a local command (often via npx or uvx) and talk over standard input/output. HTTP (Streamable HTTP) and SSE servers are hosted at a URL and often use OAuth sign-in or an API key header.

Is it safe to use MCP servers?

They can be, if you're careful: install servers only from sources you trust, give tokens the minimum permissions, keep secrets out of shared files and review actions before approving them.

MCP BuilderT3 · AI builders

MCP Server Config Builder for Claude, Cursor & VS Code

Connect AI assistants to your tools: pick MCP servers and get the exact config file.

100% free
No sign-up
Runs in your browser

What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI assistants — Claude, Cursor, VS Code Copilot and others — to your tools and data. Each MCP server is a small connector that gives the assistant new abilities, like reading files, searching the web or working in GitHub.

For business owners

Think of servers as plug-ins. Pick the apps you want your AI to use, fill in any keys, then copy the file into your AI app. No coding needed — but only connect accounts you trust it with.

For developers

Servers run locally over stdio (a command) or remotely over Streamable http/sse. This builder emits each client's exact JSON shape, plus claude mcp add commands.

1 · Choose servers

Add your own

2 · Fill in the details (3)

Filesystem
Needs: Node.js 18+. Replace the path with a folder you're happy for the AI to access.
Docs
Server name (key)
Transport
stdio (runs on your computer)
Command
Arguments (one per line)-y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem <PATH_TO_ALLOWED_FOLDER>
Environment (KEY=value)
GitHub
Needs: A GitHub personal access token with the scopes you want to allow.
Docs
Server name (key)
Transport
http (hosted)
Server URL
Headers (Name: value)Authorization: Bearer <YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN>
Playwright (browser)
Needs: Node.js 18+. Downloads a browser on first run.
Docs
Server name (key)
Transport
stdio (runs on your computer)
Command
Arguments (one per line)@playwright/mcp@latest
Environment (KEY=value)

Templates are generic starting points — check each server's docs for the latest install command and options.

3 · Copy your config

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "<PATH_TO_ALLOWED_FOLDER>"
      ]
    },
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/",
        "--header",
        "Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"
      ],
      "env": {
        "AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer <YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN>"
      }
    },
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@playwright/mcp@latest"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Open Settings → Developer → Edit Config, paste, save and fully restart Claude. Remote servers are bridged through mcp-remote here; you can also add them under Settings → Connectors.

Replace these placeholders before saving: <PATH_TO_ALLOWED_FOLDER><YOUR_GITHUB_TOKEN>

Security checklist

MCP servers act with whatever access you give them. Install only servers from sources you trust, use least-privilege or read-only tokens, never commit real keys to Git, and review what a tool is about to do before you approve it. This builder runs in your browser — nothing you type is sent to us.

How it works

How to use MCP BuilderT3

Choose the servers you want (search or filter), or add a custom local or remote server.

Fill in folder paths, tokens and headers, replacing every <YOUR_…> placeholder.

Pick your AI app, copy or download the config, save it in the location shown and restart the app.

About

About this tool

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI assistants such as Claude, Cursor and GitHub Copilot in VS Code connect to tools and data — your files, GitHub, databases, a browser, Notion, Figma and more. Each connection is an “MCP server”, and every app stores its list of servers in a slightly different JSON file.

This builder removes the guesswork. Pick servers from a directory of well-known options or add your own (a local command over stdio, or a remote HTTP/SSE URL), fill in paths and keys, and get the correct file for Claude Desktop, Claude Code (.mcp.json plus claude mcp add commands), Cursor, VS Code (which uses “servers” and “type”, and prompts for secrets) or Windsurf — with the file location for macOS, Windows and Linux.

The templates are generic starting points: servers change quickly, so always check the linked docs for the latest install command. Treat MCP servers like any software you install: use trusted sources, least-privilege tokens, and never commit real keys to Git.

Frequently asked questions

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