Claude Desktop MCP Server Installer

README.md

Claude MCP Setup Script

This script automatically installs and configures MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers for Claude Desktop on macOS. It allows you to enhance Claude with various capabilities like web search, file access, Python execution, and more.

Installation

Run this one-liner in your Terminal:

curl -fsSL https://gist.githubusercontent.com/GITHUB_USERNAME/GIST_ID/raw/claude-mcp-setup.sh | bash

Replace GITHUB_USERNAME and GIST_ID with the actual GitHub username and Gist ID after you create the Gist.

What Does It Do?

This script will:

1. Check for required dependencies (jq, Node.js/npx, uv/uvx)
2. Set up necessary directories for storing code and data
3. Create or back up your Claude Desktop configuration
4. Let you choose which MCP servers to install:
   • YouTube Transcript
   • DuckDuckGo Search
   • Fetch (web content)
   • Filesystem access
   • Git integration
   • Memory storage
   • Shell command execution
   • Python REPL
   • Sequential Thinking
   • Playwright (browser automation)
   • Obsidian integration
   • ClickHouse database
   • Kubernetes
   • Figma
5. Prompt for necessary API keys (only for selected servers)
6. Optionally restart Claude Desktop

Requirements

• macOS
• Claude Desktop installed
• Basic command-line tools
• Internet connection

API Keys (Optional)

Some MCP servers require API keys:

• Figma: Get your API key from Figma Developers
• Obsidian: Set up the Claude plugin in Obsidian
• ClickHouse: Have your database connection details ready

Troubleshooting

• If Claude doesn't recognize the tools after installation, restart Claude Desktop.
• Check the console in Claude (View > Developer > Toggle Developer Tools) for errors.
• The script creates a backup of your previous config that you can restore if needed.

Support

For issues with this script, please open an issue in this Gist.

For Claude-related questions, visit Anthropic's support.

claude-mcp-setup.sh

#!/bin/bash
# =========================================================================
# Claude Desktop MCP Server Installer
# =========================================================================
#
# This script installs and configures MCP servers for Claude Desktop.
# It will:
# - Check for required dependencies
# - Set up necessary directories
# - Configure MCP servers in Claude Desktop
# - Optionally restart Claude Desktop
#
# Run with:
# curl -fsSL https://gist.githubusercontent.com/raw/GIST_ID/claude-mcp-setup.sh | bash
#
# Dependencies: jq, curl, uv/uvx, npx
#
# =========================================================================

# Text formatting
RED='\033[0;31m'
GREEN='\033[0;32m'
YELLOW='\033[0;33m'
BLUE='\033[0;34m'
NC='\033[0m' # No Color
BOLD='\033[1m'

# Ensure script exits on any error
set -e

echo -e "${BOLD}===============================================================${NC}"
echo -e "${BOLD}        Claude Desktop MCP Server Installer        ${NC}"
echo -e "${BOLD}===============================================================${NC}"
echo ""

# Check if running on macOS
if [[ "$(uname)" != "Darwin" ]]; then
  echo -e "${RED}Error: This script is designed for macOS only.${NC}"
  exit 1
fi

# ----- Check Dependencies -----
echo -e "${BLUE}Checking dependencies...${NC}"

# Check for jq
if ! command -v jq &> /dev/null; then
  echo -e "${YELLOW}jq not found. Installing via Homebrew...${NC}"
  if command -v brew &> /dev/null; then
    brew install jq
  else
    echo -e "${RED}Error: Homebrew not found. Please install jq manually:${NC}"
    echo "1. Install Homebrew from https://brew.sh/"
    echo "2. Run: brew install jq"
    exit 1
  fi
fi

# Check for npx
if ! command -v npx &> /dev/null; then
  echo -e "${YELLOW}npx not found. Please install Node.js:${NC}"
  echo "1. Visit https://nodejs.org/"
  echo "2. Download and install the LTS version"
  exit 1
fi

# Check for uv/uvx
if ! command -v uv &> /dev/null; then
  echo -e "${YELLOW}uv not found. Installing...${NC}"
  curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh
  # Add to PATH for current session
  export PATH="$HOME/.cargo/bin:$PATH"
fi

echo -e "${GREEN}All dependencies found or installed!${NC}"
echo ""

# ----- Set up directories -----
echo -e "${BLUE}Setting up directories...${NC}"

# Ask for base code directory or use default
read -p "Enter base directory for code/data [default: $HOME/Code]: " CODE_DIR
CODE_DIR=${CODE_DIR:-"$HOME/Code"}

# Create directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p "$CODE_DIR"
mkdir -p "$CODE_DIR/data"
echo -e "${GREEN}Directories created!${NC}"
echo ""

# ----- Claude config setup -----
echo -e "${BLUE}Setting up Claude Desktop configuration...${NC}"

CONFIG_DIR="$HOME/Library/Application Support/Anthropic/Claude"
CONFIG_FILE="$CONFIG_DIR/claude_desktop_config.json"
BACKUP_FILE="$CONFIG_FILE.bak.$(date +%Y%m%d%H%M%S)"

# Create config directory if it doesn't exist
mkdir -p "$CONFIG_DIR"

# Backup existing config if it exists
if [ -f "$CONFIG_FILE" ]; then
  cp "$CONFIG_FILE" "$BACKUP_FILE"
  echo -e "${GREEN}Backed up existing config to ${BACKUP_FILE}${NC}"
else
  echo '{}' > "$CONFIG_FILE"
  echo -e "${GREEN}Created new config file at ${CONFIG_FILE}${NC}"
fi

echo ""

# ----- MCP Servers Selection -----
echo -e "${BLUE}MCP Server Selection${NC}"
echo "Select which MCP servers to install:"
echo ""
echo -e "${BOLD}Available MCP Servers:${NC}"
echo "1.  YouTube Transcript - Fetch and analyze YouTube video transcripts"
echo "2.  DuckDuckGo Search - Search the web for information"
echo "3.  Fetch - Retrieve and parse web content"
echo "4.  Filesystem - Access and manipulate files on your computer"
echo "5.  Git - Interact with Git repositories"
echo "6.  MCP Installer - A utility for installing other MCP servers"
echo "7.  Memory - Store and retrieve information across conversations"
echo "8.  Shell Server - Execute shell commands"
echo "9.  Python REPL - Execute Python code within Claude"
echo "10. Sequential Thinking - Break down complex problems step by step"
echo "11. Playwright - Automate web browser interactions"
echo "12. Obsidian - Interact with your Obsidian vault"
echo "13. ClickHouse - Connect to ClickHouse databases"
echo "14. Kubernetes - Manage Kubernetes clusters"
echo "15. Figma - View and analyze Figma designs"
echo ""

read -p "Install all MCP servers? (y/n): " install_all

if [ "$install_all" != "y" ] && [ "$install_all" != "Y" ]; then
  selected_servers=""
  
  read -p "Install YouTube Transcript? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="youtube "
  
  read -p "Install DuckDuckGo Search? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="ddg "
  
  read -p "Install Fetch? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="fetch "
  
  read -p "Install Filesystem? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="filesystem "
  
  read -p "Install Git? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="git "
  
  read -p "Install MCP Installer? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="installer "
  
  read -p "Install Memory? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="memory "
  
  read -p "Install Shell Server? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="shell "
  
  read -p "Install Python REPL? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="python "
  
  read -p "Install Sequential Thinking? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="sequential "
  
  read -p "Install Playwright? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="playwright "
  
  read -p "Install Obsidian? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="obsidian "
  
  read -p "Install ClickHouse? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="clickhouse "
  
  read -p "Install Kubernetes? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="kubernetes "
  
  read -p "Install Figma? (y/n): " yn
  [[ "$yn" == [Yy]* ]] && selected_servers+="figma "
else
  # All servers selected
  selected_servers="youtube ddg fetch filesystem git installer memory shell python sequential playwright obsidian clickhouse kubernetes figma"
fi

echo ""

# Function to prompt for optional API key and return formatted env block
prompt_env() {
  local name="$1"
  shift
  local -A envs=()
  
  echo -e "${BLUE}${name} Configuration${NC}"
  
  for var in "$@"; do
    # Use read -s for sensitive inputs (keys and passwords)
    if [[ "$var" == *"KEY"* ]] || [[ "$var" == *"PASSWORD"* ]] || [[ "$var" == *"SECRET"* ]]; then
      read -s -p "Enter $var (sensitive, leave blank to skip): " value
      echo # Add a newline after hidden input
    else
      read -p "Enter $var (leave blank to skip): " value
    fi
    
    if [ -n "$value" ]; then
      envs[$var]="$value"
    fi
  done
  
  if [ ${#envs[@]} -eq 0 ]; then
    echo "null"
  else
    printf '{'
    first=true
    for key in "${!envs[@]}"; do
      if [ "$first" = true ]; then
        first=false
      else
        printf ','
      fi
      printf '"%s":"%s"' "$key" "${envs[$key]}"
    done
    printf '}'
  fi
  
  echo ""
}

# Start with an empty config
echo '{"mcpServers":{}}' > "$CONFIG_FILE"

# Add selected servers
for server in $selected_servers; do
  case $server in
    youtube)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding YouTube Transcript server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."@kimtaeyoon83-mcp-server-youtube-transcript" = {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@smithery/cli@latest", "run", "@kimtaeyoon83/mcp-server-youtube-transcript", "--config", "{}"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    ddg)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding DuckDuckGo Search server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."ddg-search" = {"command": "uvx", "args": ["duckduckgo-mcp-server"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    fetch)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Fetch server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers.fetch = {"command": "uvx", "args": ["mcp-server-fetch"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    filesystem)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Filesystem server...${NC}"
      jq --arg codedir "$CODE_DIR" '.mcpServers.filesystem = {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", $codedir]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    git)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Git server...${NC}"
      jq --arg codedir "$CODE_DIR" '.mcpServers.git = {"command": "uvx", "args": ["mcp-server-git", "--repository", $codedir]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    installer)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding MCP Installer server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."mcp-installer" = {"command": "npx", "args": ["@anaisbetts/mcp-installer"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    memory)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Memory server...${NC}"
      jq --arg memory_path "$CODE_DIR/data/memory.json" '.mcpServers.memory = {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-memory"], "env": {"MEMORY_FILE_PATH": $memory_path}}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    shell)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Shell server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."shell-server" = {"command": "npx", "args": ["mcp-shell"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    python)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Python REPL server...${NC}"
      # Ensure directory exists
      mkdir -p "$CODE_DIR/mcp-python/src"
      jq --arg codedir "$CODE_DIR" '.mcpServers."python-repl" = {"command": "uv", "args": ["--directory", $codedir + "/mcp-python/src", "run", "mcp_python"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    sequential)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Sequential Thinking server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."sequential-thinking" = {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    playwright)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Playwright server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers.playwright = {"command": "npx", "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest", "--vision"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    obsidian)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Obsidian server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."mcp-obsidian" = {"command": "uvx", "args": ["mcp-obsidian"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      echo "For Obsidian integration, you'll need to set up the Claude plugin in Obsidian."
      echo "More info: https://github.com/ollama/mcp-obsidian"
      O=$(prompt_env "Obsidian" OBSIDIAN_API_KEY)
      if [ "$O" != "null" ]; then
        jq --argjson obsidian_env "$O" '.mcpServers."mcp-obsidian".env = $obsidian_env' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      fi
      ;;
    
    clickhouse)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding ClickHouse server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers."clickhouse-test" = {"command": "uv", "args": ["run", "--with", "mcp-clickhouse", "--python", "3.13", "mcp-clickhouse"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      echo "ClickHouse connection details needed:"
      C=$(prompt_env "ClickHouse" CLICKHOUSE_HOST CLICKHOUSE_PORT CLICKHOUSE_USER CLICKHOUSE_PASSWORD CLICKHOUSE_SECURE CLICKHOUSE_VERIFY CLICKHOUSE_CONNECT_TIMEOUT CLICKHOUSE_SEND_RECEIVE_TIMEOUT)
      if [ "$C" != "null" ]; then
        jq --argjson clickhouse_env "$C" '.mcpServers."clickhouse-test".env = $clickhouse_env' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      fi
      ;;
    
    kubernetes)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Kubernetes server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers.kubernetes = {"command": "npx", "args": ["mcp-server-kubernetes"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      ;;
    
    figma)
      echo -e "${BLUE}Adding Figma server...${NC}"
      jq '.mcpServers.figma = {"command": "npx", "args": ["-y", "figma-developer-mcp"]}' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      echo "Figma API key setup:"
      echo "Get your Figma API key from: https://www.figma.com/developers/api#access-tokens"
      F=$(prompt_env "Figma" FGM_API_KEY)
      if [ "$F" != "null" ]; then
        jq --argjson figma_env "$F" '.mcpServers.figma.env = $figma_env' "$CONFIG_FILE" > "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" && mv "$CONFIG_FILE.tmp" "$CONFIG_FILE"
      fi
      ;;
  esac
done

echo -e "${GREEN}✅ Claude Desktop MCP config updated!${NC}"
echo ""

# ----- Finalize -----
echo -e "${BLUE}Finalizing installation...${NC}"

# Ask about restarting Claude
read -p "Do you want to restart Claude Desktop now? (y/n): " restart_claude

if [ "$restart_claude" == "y" ] || [ "$restart_claude" == "Y" ]; then
  echo "Attempting to restart Claude Desktop..."
  # Check if Claude is running
  if pgrep -x "Claude" > /dev/null; then
    echo "Closing Claude Desktop..."
    pkill -x "Claude"
    sleep 2
  fi
  echo "Starting Claude Desktop..."
  if open -a "Claude"; then
    echo -e "${GREEN}Claude Desktop restarted successfully!${NC}"
  else
    echo -e "${YELLOW}Could not start Claude Desktop. Please start it manually.${NC}"
  fi
else
  echo -e "${YELLOW}Please restart Claude Desktop manually for changes to take effect.${NC}"
fi

echo ""
echo -e "${BOLD}===============================================================${NC}"
echo -e "${BOLD}        Installation Complete!        ${NC}"
echo -e "${BOLD}===============================================================${NC}"
echo ""
echo -e "${GREEN}MCP servers have been configured for Claude Desktop.${NC}"
echo ""
echo -e "${BOLD}Next steps:${NC}"
echo "1. Start Claude Desktop if not already running"
echo "2. Create a new conversation to test the MCP servers"
echo "3. If you have issues, check the console output in Claude Desktop"
echo "   (View > Developer > Toggle Developer Tools)"
echo ""
echo -e "${BOLD}Support:${NC}"
echo "- Documentation: https://anthropic.com/claude"
echo "- Issues: https://github.com/Anthropic/claude-mcps/issues"
echo ""
echo -e "${YELLOW}Note: This script created a backup of your previous config at:${NC}"
echo "$BACKUP_FILE"
echo ""
echo -e "${GREEN}Happy Claude-ing! 🤖${NC}"