# MCP: Claude Desktop Setup (/docs/artificial-intelligence/mcp/mcp-claude-desktop-setup)

## **Claude Desktop Setup** [#claude-desktop-setup]

<Callout type="info" title="Node Download">
  Before getting started, ensure you have the following:

  - [Node](https://nodejs.org/en/download) ≥ 22.12 must be installed to use Transcend's MCP.
  - [Claude Desktop](https://claude.com/download).
  - OAuth Client configured [here](https://app.transcend.io/admin/oauth-clients).
    - The redirect URI must be http\://127.0.0.1:\{port}/callback.
</Callout>

Claude Desktop reads from:

- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\\Claude\\claude_desktop_config.json`

### **Open or create the config file** [#open-or-create-the-config-file]

#### Open via **Settings → Developer → Edit Config** [#open-via-settings--developer--edit-config]

In Claude Desktop, select Settings

![Settings highlighted in menu in Claude desktop.](/images/sanity/john_returns_settings_highlighted.png)

Select Developer

![Developer highlighted in Settings in Claude Desktop.](/images/sanity/developer_highlighted.png)

Right click `claude_desktop_config.JSON` and select a text editor (in the case of Mac, select TextEdit).

![Right click claude desktop config JSON and open TextEdit.](/images/sanity/select_text_editor_highlighted.png)

In the text editor, paste the definition from the package’s readme to the JSON found [here](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@transcend-io/mcp?activeTab=readme#:~:text=session%20timeout%20\(ms\)-,MCP,-client%20configuration%20\(stdio) (or copy the below snippet)

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "transcend": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@transcend-io/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID": "your-client-id",
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "your-client-secret",
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_REDIRECT_PORT": "your-client-redirect-port"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Your config should show a successful run when ready. You must fully quit Claud Desktop and re-open in order to use the Transcend MCP.&#x20;

![Config running successfully.](/images/sanity/config-running.png)

### Or using your favorite editor:&#x20; [#or-using-your-favorite-editor-]

```shellscript
# macOS
open -a "TextEdit" ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
```

If the file doesn't exist, create it with the contents below.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "transcend": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@transcend-io/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_CLIENT_ID": "your-client-id",
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_CLIENT_SECRET": "your-client-secret",
        "TRANSCEND_OAUTH_REDIRECT_PORT": "your-client-redirect-port"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### **Restart Claude Desktop** [#restart-claude-desktop]

Fully quit (cmd+Q on Mac) and reopen. Confirm the connection in **Settings → Developer** — `transcend` should appear with 81 tools.