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Claude desktop setup ​

Install the npm MCP server and configuration skill, then use them together in Claude Desktop Chat. Complete the prerequisites first.

Use Desktop Chat for the local npm server

Claude documents local servers configured in claude_desktop_config.json as available in Desktop Chat, not Cowork or claude.ai. Uploading the skill does not change that transport limitation. Those other surfaces need a supported remote MCP connection. See Claude's local versus remote connector guidance.

Install the MCP server ​

Open Claude Desktop's Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json:

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

Add missionsquad to the existing mcpServers object. Keep other servers and settings. If the file is empty, use the complete example for your operating system:

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "missionsquad": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@missionsquad/mcp-msq@latest"],
      "env": {
        "MSQ_API_KEY": "msq-REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_API_KEY",
        "MSQ_BASE_URL": "https://agents.missionsquad.ai/v1"
      }
    }
  }
}
json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "missionsquad": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "@missionsquad/mcp-msq@latest"],
      "env": {
        "MSQ_API_KEY": "msq-REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_API_KEY",
        "MSQ_BASE_URL": "https://agents.missionsquad.ai/v1"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace the placeholder with your MissionSquad key. Save, fully quit Claude Desktop, and reopen it. Claude starts the process; npx -y fetches the published npm package without an interactive install prompt. A global npm installation or separately running terminal server is not needed.

Check the server in Settings → Developer and enable its tools in your Chat conversation's connector controls. Claude's local MCP setup guide covers configuration, restart, and tool discovery. The Windows command follows the official MCP server example.

Install the skill ​

Download msq-config-agent.zip. Keep it zipped for upload. This is a standalone skill, not a Claude plugin or a desktop MCP extension; it contains no credentials and does not install the server.

In Claude Desktop:

  1. Open Customize → Skills.
  2. Select + → Create skill → Upload a skill.
  3. Choose msq-config-agent.zip and enable the imported skill.
  4. Start a new Chat conversation with the MissionSquad tools enabled.

Claude requires code execution for Skills. If the upload or enable controls are unavailable, check your account's capability settings and workspace policy. The current Skills instructions describe those controls and availability.

The ZIP contains one top-level msq-config-agent/ directory with SKILL.md and a references/ directory. Upload the supplied ZIP as-is; do not wrap it in another folder or upload the old .claude-plugin bundle. Claude's custom skill packaging guide describes this format. The same portable bundle also works with the ChatGPT desktop installation.

Verify both parts ​

In Desktop Chat, send:

Use the msq-config-agent skill to list my MissionSquad agents, workflows, and factories. Do not create, modify, run, publish, or schedule anything.

Allow the requested read-only tool calls. Results should come from tools such as msq_list_agents, msq_list_workflows, and msq_list_factories. An empty list is a valid result. This verifies API access as well as discovery, without starting an agent run or changing your account.

Troubleshooting and updates ​

  • Invalid JSON: use double quotes, remove trailing commas, and keep exactly one top-level mcpServers object. Merge the server into your existing file.
  • npx not found: on macOS, locate it with command -v npx and use that absolute path as command. Also check command -v node: the GUI process needs Node.js on its PATH, even when npx has an absolute path. On Windows, use the cmd /c npx example, check where.exe node and where.exe npx, then restart.
  • Missing key or HTTP 401: check MSQ_API_KEY and the API URL ending in /v1, then fully restart Claude. Do not replace the MissionSquad key with an AI provider key.
  • Skill uploads but tools are missing: finish the MCP setup and use Desktop Chat. Cowork cannot use this local JSON-configured server.
  • Skill upload fails: use the supplied ZIP, with msq-config-agent/SKILL.md immediately inside its top-level folder. Do not upload the unzipped folder or a plugin archive through the Skills upload control.
  • Server still fails: inspect mcp.log and mcp-server-missionsquad.log in ~/Library/Logs/Claude (macOS) or %APPDATA%\Claude\logs (Windows).
  • Update: fully restart Claude to resolve the npm @latest tag. To pin a release, use a published version such as @missionsquad/[email protected]. For skill updates, download the current ZIP and replace the previous imported skill, preserving any edits you want to keep.

The manual JSON file stores your API key locally. Keep it out of screenshots, shared configuration files, and the skill archive. Continue with the MCP tool reference.