> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.tai42.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Desktop

> Connect Claude Desktop to a running server.

Connect Claude Desktop to a running server with an MCP server config entry.

Claude Desktop launches MCP servers over stdio and lists their tools in the app. Add a `tai` entry to its config, and Claude Desktop starts the server and connects on launch.

## Add a config entry

Edit Claude Desktop's `claude_desktop_config.json` (Settings → Developer → Edit Config) and add a `tai` server under `mcpServers`. Claude Desktop launches the command and speaks MCP over its standard streams.

```json claude_desktop_config.json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tai": {
      "command": "tai",
      "args": ["serve", "--transport", "stdio", "--manifest-path", "/path/to/manifest.yml"],
      "env": {
        "TAI_MANIFEST_PATH": "/path/to/manifest.yml"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Use an absolute path to `tai` if it is not on Claude Desktop's `PATH`, and an absolute `--manifest-path`. Restart Claude Desktop to load the entry.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Confirm the server runs standalone">
    Start it once in a terminal to check the manifest and environment before wiring the client.

    ```bash theme={null}
    tai serve --transport stdio --manifest-path /path/to/manifest.yml
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the config entry">
    Add the `mcpServers` block above and set an absolute command path and manifest path.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart and verify">
    Restart Claude Desktop; the server's tools appear in the app's tool list.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Note>
  Claude Desktop uses the stdio transport. To reach a server running over HTTP instead — a remote or shared instance — use a generic MCP client entry; see [MCP clients](/integrations/mcp-clients).
</Note>

## See also

* [MCP clients](/integrations/mcp-clients) — the transport options and the HTTP config shape.
* [Deploy](/guides/deploy) — the manifest and environment the server loads.
* [Expose a private tool set](/guides/private-tool-set) — scope Claude Desktop to a tool subset.