diff --git a/graph/configurations/mcp-servers-go-in-claudejson-not-claudemcpjson-d746c5.md b/graph/configurations/mcp-servers-go-in-claudejson-not-claudemcpjson-d746c5.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..66f2b7280ac --- /dev/null +++ b/graph/configurations/mcp-servers-go-in-claudejson-not-claudemcpjson-d746c5.md @@ -0,0 +1,27 @@ +--- +id: d746c584-c625-4710-b2a7-bba205e2e92d +type: configuration +title: "MCP servers go in ~/.claude.json, NOT ~/.claude/.mcp.json" +tags: [claude-code, mcp, configuration, troubleshooting] +importance: 0.9 +confidence: 0.8 +created: "2026-03-02T02:14:27.994062+00:00" +updated: "2026-03-02T02:14:27.994062+00:00" +--- + +## Claude Code MCP Server Configuration Location + +**Global MCP servers** must be defined in `~/.claude.json` under the top-level `mcpServers` key. + +`~/.claude/.mcp.json` is **NOT read by Claude Code** for global servers. Servers placed there will silently fail to register. + +### Correct locations: +1. **Global (always-on):** `~/.claude.json` → `mcpServers` key (cognitive-memory, gitea-mcp, n8n-mcp, tui-driver) +2. **Project (on-demand):** `/.mcp.json` → `mcpServers` key + +### How to add a global MCP server: +- Edit `~/.claude.json` and add to the `mcpServers` object, OR +- Use `claude mcp add -- [args]` + +### Discovered 2026-03-01 +tui-driver was configured in `~/.claude/.mcp.json` and silently failed to load. Moving it to `~/.claude.json` fixed registration.