Claude Config Management
Manages configuration files for Claude Desktop and Claude Code, including MCP server setup, project settings, and developer options.
Configuration File Locations
Claude Desktop (macOS):
- Config:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json - Logs:
~/Library/Logs/Claude/ - Developer settings:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/developer_settings.json
Claude Desktop (Windows):
- Config:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json - Logs:
%APPDATA%\Claude\Logs\
Claude Code (Project-specific):
- Settings:
.claude/settings.json - Plugin marketplace:
.claude-plugin/marketplace.json
Claude Desktop Configuration
Basic Structure
{
"mcpServers": {
"server-name": {
"command": "command-to-run",
"args": ["arg1", "arg2"],
"env": {
"VAR_NAME": "value"
}
}
}
}Important Notes
- Always use absolute paths - Working directory may be undefined
- Windows paths: Use forward slashes or double backslashes
- Restart required: Restart Claude Desktop after configuration changes
- Environment variables: Limited by default (USER, HOME, PATH); set explicitly in
env
Claude Code Project Settings
.claude/settings.json
{
"enabledPlugins": ["plugin-name"],
"extraKnownMarketplaces": {
"team-tools": {
"source": {
"source": "github",
"repo": "company/claude-plugins"
}
}
}
}Team Configuration
Automatically install marketplaces when team members trust the folder:
{
"extraKnownMarketplaces": {
"company-tools": {
"source": {
"source": "github",
"repo": "company/plugins"
}
},
"project-tools": {
"source": {
"source": "git",
"url": "https://git.company.com/project-plugins.git"
}
}
}
}Quick Validation
# Validate JSON syntax
jq empty ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
jq empty .claude/settings.json
# Check server names
jq -r '.mcpServers | keys[]' ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonQuick Troubleshooting
If MCP server not loading:
- Validate JSON syntax
- Verify command paths are absolute
- Check environment variables are set
- Review logs:
~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log - Restart Claude Desktop
References
Detailed documentation for specific scenarios:
- MCP Patterns - Server configuration examples (Python, Node.js, environment variables)
- Troubleshooting - Common issues, log locations, debugging tools
- Workflows - Step-by-step guides for adding servers, team setup, migration
Next Steps
- See EXAMPLES.md for real-world configuration examples