{"title":"MCP in Claude Desktop","slug":"claude-desktop","category":"mcp","summary":"Connect Synapse to Claude Desktop in 2 minutes. Claude gets 79 Synapse tools natively.","audience":["human","llm"],"tags":["mcp","claude","desktop","integration"],"difficulty":"beginner","updated":"2026-06-27","word_count":397,"read_minutes":2,"llm_context":"Config file: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS)\n %APPDATA%\\Claude\\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows)\nMCP server command: npx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\nEnv vars: SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY (required), SYNAPSE_URL (optional, default https://synapse.schaefer.zone)\nAfter config: restart Claude Desktop, check for 🔌 icon with \"79 tools\"\nTest: type \"memory_recall aufrufen\" in a new chat\nTroubleshooting: Node.js ≥ 18, check Mind Key, see /docs/mcp/troubleshooting\n","lang":"en","translated":true,"requested_lang":"en","content_markdown":"\n# MCP in Claude Desktop\n\nClaude Desktop is Anthropic's desktop app for macOS and Windows. With the\nSynapse MCP server configured, Claude gets native access to all 79 Synapse\ntools — it can store memories, recall them, manage tasks, chat with you, and\nmore.\n\n## Prerequisites\n\n- Claude Desktop app (macOS or Windows)\n- Node.js 18+ installed (`node --version`)\n- Your Synapse Mind Key\n\n## Step 1: Open the Config File\n\n- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`\n- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\\Claude\\claude_desktop_config.json`\n\nIf the file doesn't exist, create it.\n\n## Step 2: Add Synapse MCP Server\n\n```json\n{\n \"mcpServers\": {\n \"synapse\": {\n \"command\": \"npx\",\n \"args\": [\"-y\", \"synapse-mcp-api@latest\"],\n \"env\": {\n \"SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\": \"mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE\",\n \"SYNAPSE_URL\": \"https://synapse.schaefer.zone\"\n }\n }\n }\n}\n```\n\n> [!TIP]\n> If you already have other MCP servers configured, just add the `\"synapse\"`\n> block inside the existing `\"mcpServers\"` object.\n\n## Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop\n\n1. Fully quit Claude Desktop (Cmd+Q on macOS, not just close window)\n2. Reopen Claude Desktop\n3. Start a new chat\n4. Look for the 🔌 plug icon in the bottom-left — it should say \"79 tools\"\n\n## Step 4: Test It\n\nIn a new chat, type:\n\n```\nmemory_recall aufrufen\n```\n\nClaude should call the `memory_recall` tool and respond with a summary of your\nstored memories (or \"No memories yet\" if your mind is empty).\n\n## Available Tools (Selection)\n\n| Tool | Description |\n|------|-------------|\n| `memory_recall` | Recall all memories |\n| `memory_store` | Store a new memory |\n| `memory_search` | Search memories |\n| `task_list` | List tasks |\n| `task_create` | Create a task |\n| `chat_poll` | Check for new messages |\n| `chat_reply` | Reply to a message |\n| `browser_new` | Open a browser tab |\n| `computer_list` | List registered computers |\n\nFull list: [What is MCP?](/docs/mcp/what-is-mcp)\n\n## Troubleshooting\n\n### No tools appear in Claude Desktop\n\n1. Verify Node.js version: `node --version` (must be ≥ 18)\n2. Check the config file is valid JSON (no trailing commas)\n3. Restart Claude Desktop fully (Cmd+Q, not just close)\n4. Check Claude Desktop logs: `~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp.log` (macOS)\n\n### \"Mind Key invalid\" error\n\n- Verify `SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY` starts with `mk_`\n- Get a fresh key via `POST /minds` (requires JWT from `/login`)\n- No quotes around the key in the JSON\n\n### npx not found\n\n- Install Node.js 18+: \n- Restart terminal after install\n- On macOS with Homebrew: `brew install node`\n\n### Tools show but calls fail\n\n- Check `SYNAPSE_URL` is reachable: `curl https://synapse.schaefer.zone/health`\n- Verify your Mind Key works: `curl -H \"Authorization: Bearer mk_...\" https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory/recall`\n- See [MCP Troubleshooting](/docs/mcp/troubleshooting)\n\n## Tool Profiles (Save Tokens)\n\nIf you're using a smaller LLM or want to save context tokens, set a tool profile:\n\n```json\n{\n \"mcpServers\": {\n \"synapse\": {\n \"command\": \"npx\",\n \"args\": [\"-y\", \"synapse-mcp-api@latest\"],\n \"env\": {\n \"SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\": \"mk_...\",\n \"SYNAPSE_URL\": \"https://synapse.schaefer.zone\",\n \"MCP_PROFILE\": \"standard\"\n }\n }\n }\n}\n```\n\nProfiles: `minimal` (8 tools), `standard` (25), `full` (119, default).\n\n## Next Steps\n\n- [Claude Code Setup](/docs/mcp/claude-code)\n- [Cursor Setup](/docs/mcp/cursor)\n- [MCP Troubleshooting](/docs/mcp/troubleshooting)\n","content_html":"

MCP in Claude Desktop

\n

Claude Desktop is Anthropic's desktop app for macOS and Windows. With the\nSynapse MCP server configured, Claude gets native access to all 79 Synapse\ntools — it can store memories, recall them, manage tasks, chat with you, and\nmore.

\n

Prerequisites

\n\n

Step 1: Open the Config File

\n\n

If the file doesn't exist, create it.

\n

Step 2: Add Synapse MCP Server

\n
{\n  "mcpServers": {\n    "synapse": {\n      "command": "npx",\n      "args": ["-y", "synapse-mcp-api@latest"],\n      "env": {\n        "SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY": "mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE",\n        "SYNAPSE_URL": "https://synapse.schaefer.zone"\n      }\n    }\n  }\n}
If you already have other MCP servers configured, just add the `\"synapse\"`\nblock inside the existing `\"mcpServers\"` object.

Step 3: Restart Claude Desktop

\n
    \n
  1. Fully quit Claude Desktop (Cmd+Q on macOS, not just close window)
    2. \n
  2. Reopen Claude Desktop
    3. \n
  3. Start a new chat
    4. \n
  4. Look for the 🔌 plug icon in the bottom-left — it should say "79 tools"
    5. \n
\n

Step 4: Test It

\n

In a new chat, type:

\n
memory_recall aufrufen

Claude should call the memory_recall tool and respond with a summary of your\nstored memories (or "No memories yet" if your mind is empty).

\n

Available Tools (Selection)

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
ToolDescription
memory_recallRecall all memories
memory_storeStore a new memory
memory_searchSearch memories
task_listList tasks
task_createCreate a task
chat_pollCheck for new messages
chat_replyReply to a message
browser_newOpen a browser tab
computer_listList registered computers
\n

Full list: What is MCP?

\n

Troubleshooting

\n

No tools appear in Claude Desktop

\n
    \n
  1. Verify Node.js version: node --version (must be ≥ 18)
    2. \n
  2. Check the config file is valid JSON (no trailing commas)
    3. \n
  3. Restart Claude Desktop fully (Cmd+Q, not just close)
    4. \n
  4. Check Claude Desktop logs: ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp.log (macOS)
    5. \n
\n

"Mind Key invalid" error

\n\n

npx not found

\n\n

Tools show but calls fail

\n\n

Tool Profiles (Save Tokens)

\n

If you're using a smaller LLM or want to save context tokens, set a tool profile:

\n
{\n  "mcpServers": {\n    "synapse": {\n      "command": "npx",\n      "args": ["-y", "synapse-mcp-api@latest"],\n      "env": {\n        "SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY": "mk_...",\n        "SYNAPSE_URL": "https://synapse.schaefer.zone",\n        "MCP_PROFILE": "standard"\n      }\n    }\n  }\n}

Profiles: minimal (8 tools), standard (25), full (119, default).

\n

Next Steps

\n\n","urls":{"html":"/docs/mcp/claude-desktop","text":"/docs/mcp/claude-desktop?format=text","json":"/docs/mcp/claude-desktop?format=json","llm":"/docs/mcp/claude-desktop?format=llm"},"translations_available":["en","zh","hi","es","fr","ar","pt","ru","ja","de","it","ko","nl","pl","tr","sv","vi","th","id","uk"]}