# MCP FAQ
SUMMARY: Common questions about MCP integration — tools, transports, troubleshooting.

MCP FAQ
Common questions about the Synapse MCP server.
What is MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard by Anthropic for LLM-tool
integration. Instead of pasting API docs into prompts, you register tools
with an MCP server, and the LLM calls them as native functions.
See What is MCP?.
How many tools does Synapse MCP expose?
79 tools across 12 categories: memory, chat, scheduler, tasks, scripts,
computers, push, user, utility, visualization, sharing, webhooks, browser.
See What is MCP? for the full list.
Which MCP clients are supported?
- Claude Desktop (macOS, Windows)
- Claude Code (terminal)
- Cursor (IDE)
- Continue.dev (VS Code, JetBrains)
- Cline (VS Code)
- Any MCP-compatible client
See Claude Desktop Setup for config examples.
What transports are supported?
1. stdio (local, recommended for desktop)
2. HTTP/SSE (remote, multi-tenant)
3. WebSocket (mobile, high-volume)
How do I configure Claude Desktop?
Edit :
[CODE BLOCK]
See Claude Desktop Setup.
Why don't tools appear in Claude Desktop?
1. Restart Claude Desktop fully (Cmd+Q on macOS)
2. Check config file is valid JSON
3. Verify Node.js 18+ installed
4. Check MCP logs: 
See MCP Troubleshooting.
How do I use a different mind?
Change  in your MCP config and restart the client.
For multiple minds, run multiple MCP server instances with different
Mind Keys.
Can I limit which tools are exposed?
Yes, use Tool Profiles:
- : 8 composite tools (500 tokens)
- : 25 tools (2,500 tokens)
- : 119 tools (8,250 tokens, default)
Set via  env var or  header.
How do I debug MCP issues?
1. Run MCP server manually: 
2. Check client logs (varies by client)
3. Verify Mind Key works: 
4. Check Synapse health: 
See MCP Troubleshooting.
Is the MCP server free?
Yes. The npm package  is open source. The hosted MCP server
at  is free for public use.
Can I self-host the MCP server?
Yes:
[CODE BLOCK]
How does MCP differ from direct API calls?
| Aspect | Direct API | MCP |
|--------|-----------|-----|
| LLM needs to know | URLs, headers, auth | Just tool names |
| Auth handling | Manual | Automatic (env var) |
| Tool discovery | Read /endpoints | Automatic via MCP protocol |
| Error handling | Manual | Standardized |
| Best for | Custom integrations | LLM agents |
Can I build my own MCP client?
Yes. Use the official MCP SDK:
- TypeScript: 
- Python: 
See Custom MCP Client.
How do I report MCP bugs?
Open an issue: <https://gitlab.com/schaefer-services/synapse-mcp/-/issues>
Include:
- MCP server version
- Client name and version
- Operating system
- Relevant logs
- Steps to reproduce
Next Steps
- What is MCP?
- Claude Desktop Setup
- MCP Troubleshooting