> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.umbraco.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/local-mcp-setup/claude-desktop.md).

# Claude Desktop

[Claude Desktop](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop-quickstart) is Anthropic's AI-powered assistant for macOS and Windows. It is designed to help you work conversationally across all kinds of tasks from writing and brainstorming to coding and automation.

{% hint style="info" %}
The examples below use the Developer MCP package (`@umbraco-cms/mcp-dev`). Replace the package name if you are using a different Umbraco MCP server.
{% endhint %}

## Getting started

1. Download and install the [Claude.ai desktop app](https://claude.ai/download).
2. Go to **Settings** → **Developer** → **Edit Config** to edit the MCP settings,.

![MCP Panel](/files/JrOIrrf5dQ1PzRKVU4Ii)

3. Open the JSON configuration file in your preferred text editor.
4. Add the following snippet.

```bash
{
  "mcpServers": 
  {
    "umbraco-mcp": 
    {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@umbraco-cms/mcp-dev@latest"],
      "env": 
      {
        "NODE_TLS_REJECT_UNAUTHORIZED": "0",
        "UMBRACO_CLIENT_ID": "umbraco-back-office-mcp",
        "UMBRACO_CLIENT_SECRET": "1234567890",
        "UMBRACO_BASE_URL": "https://localhost:12345",
        "UMBRACO_INCLUDE_TOOL_COLLECTIONS": "document,media,document-type,data-type"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

5. Replace the `UMBRACO_CLIENT_ID`, `UMBRACO_CLIENT_SECRET`, and `UMBRACO_BASE_URL` values with your local connection details.
6. Restart Claude to activate the new configuration.
7. Open the logs and review the `mcp-server-umbraco-mcp.log` file if you encounter a connection error. This file contains details on how to resolve the issue.

{% hint style="info" %}
A paid version of Claude.ai will have a higher token limit and can run more complex prompts.
{% endhint %}

8. [Choose the tools or tool collections](/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/cms-developer-mcp/available-tools.md) to enable your first task.

You will need to restart Claude Desktop every time you make a change to the tools you are using.

## Node version mismatch

Occasionally, Claude Desktop may choose to use the wrong version of `Node.js` when running the MCP Server. A minimum of `Node.js` version 22 is required. This issue most commonly occurs when using a `Node.js` version manager such as `nvm`. Claude Desktop can sometimes default to the lowest installed version rather than the active one set by `nvm`.

To fix this, remove all older `Node.js` versions, leaving only `Node.js` version 22 or higher installed. This behaviour appears to be specific to Claude Desktop and does not affect any other AI hosts.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.umbraco.com/umbraco-in-ai/17.latest/mcp/local-mcp-setup/claude-desktop.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.