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Claude Desktop Integration

Connect your MCP bundles to Claude Desktop to give Claude access to real-world tools and APIs.

Requirements

  • Claude Desktop app (download from Anthropic)
  • A bundle enabled in your MCPBundles dashboard
  • Credentials connected for providers in your bundle

Time to complete: 2-3 minutes


Step-by-Step Setup

1. Get Your Bundle URL

  1. Log in to MCPBundles Dashboard
  2. Click on the bundle you want to use
  3. Copy the MCP Server URL

2. Open Claude Desktop Settings

  1. Open Claude Desktop app
  2. Click the settings icon (gear or menu)
  3. Navigate to Connectors or Integrations

3. Add Custom Connector

  1. Click "Add custom connector" or "+ New"

  2. Fill out the form:

    • Name: Your bundle name (e.g., "Marketing Automation")
    • URL: Your bundle URL from step 1
    • Type: HTTP/HTTPS (if asked)
  3. Click Save or Add


4. Test the Connection

  1. Start a new conversation in Claude Desktop
  2. Ask: "What tools do you have access to?"
  3. Claude should list all tools from your bundle

Example response:

"I have access to the following tools:

  • list_campaigns - Get email campaigns
  • create_contact - Add new contact
  • send_message - Send Slack message ..."

Using Tools in Claude Desktop

Once connected, Claude can automatically use your tools when relevant.

Example Prompts

Marketing analytics:

"Check my Smartlead campaigns and tell me which has the best performance"

CRM management:

"Add these 5 people to HubSpot:
- John Doe, john@example.com, CEO
- Jane Smith, jane@example.com, CTO
..."

Workflow automation:

"Check my GitHub repos, find any with open PRs, and send me a summary via Slack"

Claude will call the necessary tools, get data, and respond.


Troubleshooting

"Connector not responding"

Cause: URL is invalid or bundle is disabled.

Fix:

  • Verify URL copied correctly (including https://)
  • Check bundle is enabled in dashboard
  • Try removing and re-adding the connector
  • Restart Claude Desktop

"Authentication required" when calling tools

Cause: Provider credentials not connected.

Fix:

  1. Go to Dashboard → Providers
  2. Find the provider for that tool
  3. Click Connect and complete OAuth or enter API key
  4. Try the tool again in Claude Desktop

See Provider Credentials Guide.


Tools disappeared after working

Cause: Connector was removed or Claude Desktop lost the configuration.

Fix:

  1. Settings → Connectors
  2. Check if your connector is still listed
  3. If missing, add it again (steps 2-3 above)
  4. If present, verify the URL is correct

Claude says "I don't have access to tools"

Possible causes:

  1. Connector not added

    • Follow steps 2-3 to add the connector
  2. Bundle disabled

    • Dashboard → Bundles → Enable your bundle
  3. App needs restart

    • Quit Claude Desktop completely
    • Reopen and wait 30 seconds

Tool fails with "Insufficient permissions"

Cause: OAuth scopes missing.

Fix:

  1. Dashboard → Providers → [Provider]
  2. Click Reconnect
  3. Approve ALL permissions in OAuth flow
  4. Try tool again

See Scope Mismatch.


Configuration Details

Connector Settings

FieldValueNotes
NameYour bundle nameDisplayed in tool calls
URLhttps://mcp.mcpbundles.com/...From dashboard, must include https://
TypeHTTP/HTTPSIf asked, select this

Limitations

Claude Desktop Constraints

  • One conversation context: Tools available in the current conversation
  • Network required: Tools need internet access
  • Rate limits: External API rate limits apply

Bundle Readiness

Claude can only use tools from bundles that are:

  • Operational (all providers connected)
  • Partially Operational (some tools work)

If bundle is "Blocked", connect credentials first.


Advanced Tips

Multiple Bundles

Add multiple bundles:

  1. Add each as a separate connector
  2. All tools from all bundles will be available
  3. Claude will choose the right tools based on context

Tool Call Visibility

Claude Desktop shows when it's calling tools:

  • Tool name appears in the UI
  • You can see parameters being passed
  • Results are incorporated into the response

Useful for debugging tool behavior.


Next Steps


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