How to Install an MCP Server — Step by Step Guide for 2026

Installing an MCP server takes under 5 minutes once you know the pattern. This guide covers installation for Claude Desktop, Cursor, and Windsurf — the three most popular MCP clients in 2026.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18+ (for npm-based servers) or Python 3.10+ (for Python-based servers)
• Claude Desktop, Cursor, or Windsurf installed
• A terminal (Terminal on Mac, PowerShell or Command Prompt on Windows)

Step 1: Find and Choose an MCP Server

Browse SkillsIndex and filter by ecosystem → MCP Server. Sort by Overall Score to find the highest-quality options. Each tool listing shows the install command, required config, and security score.

For this guide, we will install the GitHub MCP Server — one of the most useful and highest-scored (100/100) servers in our index.

Step 2: Install the Server

Most MCP servers install via npm. Open your terminal and run:

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

For Python-based servers:

pip install mcp-server-name

Or for servers that run via npx (no global install needed):

# No install step needed — npx handles it at runtime

Step 3: Get Any Required API Keys

The GitHub MCP Server requires a GitHub Personal Access Token. Create one at github.com → Settings → Developer Settings → Personal Access Tokens. For read-only access, select only the repo scope.

Step 4: Edit Your Config File

For Claude Desktop (Mac)

Open: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

For Claude Desktop (Windows)

Open: %APPDATA%Claudeclaude_desktop_config.json

Use the same JSON format as Mac above.

For Cursor

Open Cursor Settings → Features → MCP Servers → Add Server. Or manually edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json with the same format as Claude Desktop.

For Windsurf

Open Windsurf Settings → MCP → Add Server. Windsurf also supports the windsurf_mcp_config.json format.

Step 5: Restart and Verify

Restart your AI client. In Claude Desktop, click the hammer icon (🔨) in the bottom-left of the chat input — you should see the GitHub server's tools listed. In Cursor, the server appears in the MCP panel.

Test it by typing: "List my GitHub repositories" — Claude should call the GitHub MCP server and return your repos.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Server not appearing after restart

• Verify JSON is valid — use jsonlint.com to check syntax
• Check that the command (npm/npx/python) is in your PATH: which npx in terminal
• Check Claude Desktop logs: Help → Show Logs

Server shows but tools fail

• Verify API keys are correct and have sufficient permissions
• Check the server's error output in Claude Desktop logs
• Make sure the server version is current: npm update -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

Installing multiple servers

Add each server as a separate key in the mcpServers object. There is no hard limit on the number of servers, but performance degrades beyond 10–15 simultaneously active servers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to install an MCP server?

Under 5 minutes for most servers. The main time is getting an API key if required, not the actual installation. The config edit takes about 1 minute once you know the format.

Do I need to reinstall MCP servers after updating Claude Desktop?

No. Claude Desktop stores the config file separately. Updating the app does not affect your MCP server configuration.

Can I install MCP servers on a remote server?

Yes. MCP supports HTTP/SSE transport for remote servers. However, most consumer-facing MCP servers use stdio (local) transport. Remote deployment adds complexity and security considerations.

How do I uninstall an MCP server?

Remove the server's entry from your config file and restart the AI client. To also remove the npm package: npm uninstall -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-name.

Are there MCP servers that work on Windows?

Yes. All stdio-based MCP servers that run via npm or Python work on Windows. Some servers have Unix-specific dependencies — check the server's documentation and look for "Windows" or "cross-platform" in the README. SkillsIndex lists OS compatibility for each server.

Can Cursor and Claude Desktop share MCP server instances?

No — each client runs its own server instances. You configure the server separately in each client's config file. They can use the same installed package but run independent processes.