Connect to Other AI Tools

Your MCP server isn't just for Claude Desktop. The same server file works with Cursor, Windsurf, VS Code, and any other MCP-compatible client — you just change where you register it.

Cursor

Open Cursor Settings → Tools & Integrations → New MCP Server

Or edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json directly:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "my-first-mcp-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/Users/yourname/my-mcp-server/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

Restart Cursor. Your tools now show up in Cursor's Agent mode.

Windsurf

Go to Windsurf Settings → MCP → Add Server

Or edit the Windsurf MCP config at ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "my-first-mcp-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/Users/yourname/my-mcp-server/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

VS Code (GitHub Copilot)

Create .vscode/mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "servers": {
    "my-first-mcp-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["${workspaceFolder}/build/index.js"]
    }
  }
}

VS Code uses ${workspaceFolder} as a variable — it resolves to your project root automatically.

The pattern is the same everywhere

Every client uses the same structure: command + args pointing to your built server file. The difference is just where the config file lives. Once you know the pattern, adding your server to a new client takes 2 minutes.