# MCP Starter Config for Claude Desktop

> A claude_desktop_config.json wiring up filesystem, fetch, and git MCP servers with scoped access.

Category: MCP & Tool Use  
Tags: mcp, claude-desktop, filesystem, config  
Setup time (estimate): 15 minutes  
Estimated cost: Free; uses your existing Claude plan.  
Last verified: 2026-10-14

## File location

- macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- Windows: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

## Config

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/Users/me/projects"]
    },
    "fetch": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mcp-server-fetch"]
    },
    "git": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["mcp-server-git", "--repository", "/Users/me/projects/my-repo"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Steps

1. Install Node.js (for `npx`) and `uv` (for `uvx`).
2. Save the config and fully restart Claude Desktop.
3. Only list directories you want the model to access; the filesystem server is restricted to the paths you pass.
4. Check logs (`~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log` on macOS) if a server fails to start.

## Failure modes

- Invalid JSON in the config silently disables all servers; validate it.
- npx/uvx not on the app's PATH makes servers fail to start; use absolute paths.
- Granting broad directories exposes more files than intended.