How to Set Up Claude Code MCP Servers for External Tool Integration
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard that allows Claude Code to connect with and call external tools such as GitHub, Slack, Linear, and databases. Developed by Anthropic and published in 2024, MCP works by having each server expose named tools that Claude Code discovers at startup and can invoke during a session. Configuration is managed via JSON settings files at either the user level (~/.claude/settings.json) or the project level (.claude/settings.json), with project settings taking priority. Among the most recommended servers to install first are GitHub for pull requests and issues, Linear or Jira for ticketing, Slack for team communication, and Playwright for UI testing. When troubleshooting connection or authentication issues, developers can use built-in commands like claude mcp list and claude mcp test, along with server log output, to diagnose problems.
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