> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.ada.cx/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.ada.cx/_mcp/server.

# Claude

Claude connects to the MCP server through two clients:

* [Claude Desktop](#claude-desktop) — interactive analysis in a desktop app.
* [Claude Code](#claude-code) — terminal-based analysis and automation.

Both support OAuth and API key authentication and require an Ada dashboard account. Available tools depend on your role — see [Permissions](/mcp/introduction/authentication#permissions).

## Claude Desktop

### Requirements

* [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) installed.
* An Ada dashboard account.

### Option 1: Custom connector (recommended)

Add Ada as a custom connector. You do not need Node.js. You do not need `mcp-remote`. The same connector works in Claude Desktop, claude.ai, and Cowork.

Use this URL. Replace `acme-corp.ada.support` with your Ada instance domain:

`https://acme-corp.ada.support/api/mcp/oauth`

Leave **OAuth Client ID** and **OAuth Client Secret** blank.

#### Free, Pro, and Max plans

1. Open Claude Desktop, or go to [claude.ai](https://claude.ai).
2. Go to **Customize > Connectors**.
3. Click **+**.
4. Click **Add custom connector**.
5. Enter a name. Example: `Ada`.
6. Enter the MCP Server URL.
7. Click **Add**.
8. Click **Connect**.
9. Log in with your Ada credentials.

#### Team and Enterprise plans

A Claude organization Owner or Primary Owner must add the connector first. Other members cannot paste the Ada URL themselves.

If you are a Claude organization Owner or Primary Owner:

1. Go to **Organization settings > Connectors**.
2. Click **Add**.
3. Choose **Custom**. Then choose **Web**.
4. Enter the MCP Server URL.
5. Click **Add**.

Then connect it yourself. Follow the member steps below.

If you are not a Claude organization Owner or Primary Owner:

1. Ask a Claude organization Owner to add the Ada URL.
2. Go to **Customize > Connectors**.
3. Find the Ada connector. It has a **Custom** label.
4. Click **Connect**.
5. Log in with your Ada credentials.

To use Ada in a chat, click **+**. Then click **Connectors**. Turn on the Ada connector.

If you cannot add a custom connector, use [Option 2: Local helper](#option-2-local-helper).

### Option 2: Local helper

Use this path only if you cannot add a custom connector. You need [Node.js LTS](https://nodejs.org/en) installed locally ([see recommendation](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/docs/develop/connect-local-servers#node-js)).

1. Open Claude Desktop.

2. Go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config.

3. Add the following to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "ada": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["mcp-remote@0.2.5", "https://acme-corp.ada.support/api/mcp/oauth"]
       }
     }
   }
   ```

4. Replace `acme-corp.ada.support` with your Ada instance domain (see [Authentication](/mcp/introduction/authentication)).

5. Keep the version pin `mcp-remote@0.2.5`. Do not remove it.

6. Restart Claude Desktop.

7. When prompted, authorize the connection with your Ada credentials.

> **Note**
>
> Claude Desktop can open two browser tabs for one Agent. This is expected.
>
> 1. Complete login in one tab.
> 2. Close the other tab.
> 3. If Claude still shows a failed connection, restart Claude Desktop.
>
> See [Troubleshooting](/mcp/introduction/troubleshooting#two-login-tabs-in-claude-desktop).

### Option 3: API key

API key authentication uses a token generated from your Ada dashboard. This is useful for automated setups or when browser-based login is not available. This path also uses the local helper.

1. Generate an API key from **Config > PLATFORM > API keys** in your Ada dashboard.

2. Open Claude Desktop and go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config.

3. Add the following to your `claude_desktop_config.json`:

   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "ada": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "mcp-remote@0.2.5",
           "https://acme-corp.ada.support/api/mcp",
           "--header",
           "Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"
         ],
         "env": {
           "AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

4. Replace `acme-corp.ada.support` with your Ada instance domain.

5. Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your API key.

6. Restart Claude Desktop.

## Claude Code

### Requirements

* [Claude Code](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/quickstart) installed.

Claude Code connects over HTTP. It does not use a custom connector. It does not use `mcp-remote`.

### Option 1: OAuth (recommended)

Run this command, replacing `acme-corp.ada.support` with your Ada instance domain:

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http ada https://acme-corp.ada.support/api/mcp/oauth
```

Then run `/mcp` inside Claude Code to authenticate in the browser.

### Option 2: API key

Generate an API key from **Config > PLATFORM > API keys** in your Ada dashboard, then run this command, replacing the domain and key:

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http ada https://acme-corp.ada.support/api/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
```

Run `/mcp` to confirm `ada` shows `connected`. Note that Claude Code stores the key in plaintext in `~/.claude.json`, scoped to the directory you ran the command in — add `-s user` to make it available everywhere.

## Next steps

* Try a prompt from the [prompt library](/mcp/prompt-library/overview).
* Review [data privacy](/mcp/introduction/data-privacy) settings.
* Connect additional AI Agents: see [Connecting multiple Agents](/mcp/introduction/getting-started/connecting-multiple-agents).