claude mcp add
claude mcp add is the Claude Code CLI command that registers a new MCP server, either for the current project or globally for your user account. After you run it, Claude Code will start that server automatically whenever it needs its tools.
Why it matters
You give the command a name and the command to launch the server, for example claude mcp add claude-keychain -- node ~/claude-vault/mcp-server.js. From then on, saying you want to use that server by name is usually enough for Claude to find and call its tools.
Where does Claude Code remember which servers are added?
In a configuration file, typically .mcp.json for a project or a user-level settings file for global servers.
Can I remove a server later?
Yes, with claude mcp remove, or by deleting the entry from the configuration file directly.
Related
Looking for a different way to manage your keys? See the best Claude Code API key manager alternatives, or browse every term in the glossary.