Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other clients talk to tools (files, DBs, APIs) through a standard config. Here is a practical install path.
MCP standardizes how agents discover and call tools across clients.
Claude Desktop config
Configs live in a JSON file (path varies by OS):
{
"mcpServers": {
"filesystem": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
"/Users/you/Projects"
]
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop after edits.
Cursor
Cursor uses its own MCP settings UI / JSON. Prefer absolute paths to node/npx if the GUI cannot see your nvm install.
GUI apps often miss shell PATH entries—use full binary paths when needed.
Safety first
- Scope filesystem servers to project folders, not
$HOME. - Prefer read-only tools while learning.
- Never commit API keys; use env blocks in the client config.