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The short answer
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard for connecting Claude to external tools and data. An MCP server is a small program exposing a capability — a database, an API, your filesystem — that Claude can then use.
Adding one in Claude Code is a single command:
claude mcp add --transport http <name> <url>
What MCP actually solves
A language model on its own can only reason about what's in its context. MCP is the standard plumbing for giving it access to things outside that — your issue tracker, a database, a documentation site, your local files.
The reason it matters is that it's a standard. Before it, every integration was bespoke. Now a server written for one MCP-compatible client works with others, and there's a growing ecosystem to draw on rather than building each connection yourself.
Adding a remote server
Run this in your terminal, not inside a Claude session — you're configuring the server before starting a conversation:
claude mcp add --transport http claude-code-docs https://code.claude.com/docs/mcp
The name is yours to choose; the URL comes from whoever publishes the server.
Configuration scopes
- Default (local) — private to you, active only in the current project.
--scope user— registered once, available across all your projects.--scope project— shared with teammates via the project config.
Use --scope user for anything you want everywhere, --scope project for
something the whole team needs.
Local servers
A local stdio server is a program Claude Code launches as a subprocess on your machine rather than reaching over a URL.
Use one when the tool needs local resources — your filesystem, a database socket, a browser. Since it runs on your machine it can reach things no remote server could.
Adding servers outside the terminal
You don't have to use the CLI. In the Claude desktop app, go to Settings → Extensions, click Browse extensions for the directory, and install what you want.
Servers can also be added from VS Code and the web. The desktop directory is the easiest starting point if you'd rather not touch a terminal.
The security part
An MCP server is code you're granting access to your data and tools. Install servers the way you'd install any dependency: from sources you trust, and understanding what access you're handing over.
Be especially careful with servers that can both read sensitive data and reach the network — that combination is what makes data exfiltration possible if a server turns out to be malicious or compromised.
Common questions
What does MCP stand for?
Do I need to code to use MCP servers?
Where do I run the claude mcp add command?
What's the difference between local and remote servers?
MCP works on any paid plan
Connecting Claude to your own tools is included — no add-on required.