> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.membit.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Desktop

> Integrate real-time context to your Claude Desktop via Membit MCP.

Claude Desktop supports custom MCP integrations (currently in beta). By connecting Membit, you give Claude access to real-time social context—so it can answer with what's happening now across the web.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
* A Membit account with an API key [get your API key](/access-and-auth)
* Basic familiarity with editing configuration files

## Set up Membit Remote MCP

Follow these steps to enable the Membit MCP server in Claude Desktop:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create or open the Claude config file">
    Use the correct path for your OS.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="macOS">
        ```bash theme={null}
        nano ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
        ```
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Windows">
        ```powershell theme={null}
        notepad C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Tip>
      If the file doesn't exist, these commands will create it when you save.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Membit MCP configuration">
    Paste the following JSON into `claude_desktop_config.json`:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "membit-remote-mcp": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": [
            "-y",
            "mcp-remote",
            "https://mcp.membit.ai/mcp",
            "--header",
            "X-Membit-Api-Key:${API_KEY}"
          ],
          "env": {
            "API_KEY": "<your-api-key>"
          }
        }
      }
    }
    ```

    <Warning>
      Replace `<your-api-key>` with your actual Membit API key. Keep this credential secure and never share it publicly.
    </Warning>

    <Check>
      Validate your JSON: ensure quotes are correct and there are no trailing commas.
    </Check>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Claude Desktop">
    Completely quit and reopen Claude Desktop to load the new MCP configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the integration">
    Open Claude and confirm the Membit MCP tools are available.

    <Frame>
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/membit/_tmJJKYeIoHuBpSM/images/claude/membit-mcp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_tmJJKYeIoHuBpSM&q=85&s=de323f887f29d09dade9c19534299b69" alt="Claude Desktop showing Membit MCP tools available" width="1322" height="602" data-path="images/claude/membit-mcp.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Check>
      You should see Membit tools available for use when Claude performs tool calls.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Use Membit with Claude

Now that the integration is set, try a chat enhanced with real-time context:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a new chat in Claude">
    Open Claude Desktop and begin a conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask context-aware questions">
    Try prompts that benefit from up-to-the-minute context:

    * "What's trending in AI today?"
    * "Summarize the latest crypto news from real conversations"
    * "What are people discussing about \[your topic] right now?"

    <Note>
      Claude may ask to run tools—allow tool usage so it can call the Membit MCP.
    </Note>

    <Frame caption="Claude responding with real-time context via Membit">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/membit/_tmJJKYeIoHuBpSM/images/claude/talk-with-chat.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=_tmJJKYeIoHuBpSM&q=85&s=3094c73daf24f8ae178a82a272d99412" alt="Claude chat showing responses with real-time context" width="1466" height="1214" data-path="images/claude/talk-with-chat.png" />
    </Frame>

    <Check>
      Responses should include timely insights sourced from current public conversations.
    </Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Config file not detected">
    **Problem**: Claude doesn't load the MCP configuration.

    **Solutions**:

    * Verify the file path is exact for your OS:
      * macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
      * Windows: `C:\\Users\\%USERNAME%\\AppData\\Roaming\\Claude\\claude_desktop_config.json`
    * Ensure Claude Desktop was fully restarted after edits
    * Confirm the file encoding is UTF-8 without BOM
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="JSON syntax errors">
    **Problem**: Configuration fails to parse.

    **Solutions**:

    * Validate JSON with an online linter
    * Remove trailing commas and ensure double quotes are used
    * Confirm braces and brackets are properly matched
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="API key authentication fails">
    **Problem**: Membit tools show auth errors.

    **Solutions**:

    * Ensure `env.API_KEY` contains your exact Membit API key
    * Confirm the header name is `X-Membit-Api-Key` (case-sensitive)
    * Regenerate your API key in Membit if issues persist
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Membit tools not appearing">
    **Problem**: Tools don't show up in Claude.

    **Solutions**:

    * Double-check the `mcpServers` object name and structure
    * Ensure `npx` is available on your system PATH
    * Try adding `-y` to `npx` args (already included above)
    * Restart Claude after any config changes
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Claude won't run tools">
    **Problem**: Claude replies without using the MCP.

    **Solutions**:

    * Make prompts more explicit: "Use the available tools to check what's happening now about..."
    * Allow tool usage when prompted in the chat
    * Ask about timely topics that require fresh context
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>