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MCP Client Setup Overview

SkyFi MCP Server integrates seamlessly with multiple AI development environments. Choose your preferred client and follow the setup guide to get started.

Supported AI Clients​

Claude Desktop​

Anthropic's official desktop application with full MCP support.

Best for: General use, AI conversations, content creation Features: Native MCP integration, intuitive interface, regular updates Setup Time: ~5 minutes

→ Claude Desktop Setup

Cursor AI​

AI-powered code editor with enhanced development features.

Best for: Software development, code analysis, programming tasks Features: Code completion, debugging, refactoring with satellite context Setup Time: ~5 minutes

→ Cursor AI Setup

Windsurf​

Advanced AI coding assistant with collaborative features.

Best for: Team development, collaborative coding, enterprise use Features: Multi-user support, advanced code intelligence, enterprise security Setup Time: ~10 minutes

→ Windsurf Setup

VSCode​

Popular code editor with MCP extension support.

Best for: Developers, extensible workflows, custom integrations Features: Rich extension ecosystem, customizable interface, debugging tools Setup Time: ~10 minutes

→ VSCode Setup

Quick Comparison​

FeatureClaude DesktopCursor AIWindsurfVSCode
Native MCPBuilt-inExtensionExtensionExtension
Code EditingLimitedAdvancedAdvancedAdvanced
AI ChatPrimaryIntegratedIntegratedExtension
DebuggingNoneFullFullFull
Team FeaturesPersonalLimitedFullExtensions
DeploymentSimpleSimpleComplexSimple

Configuration Methods​

1. Global Configuration​

Install and configure SkyFi MCP system-wide for all projects.

Pros:

  • Works across all projects
  • Single setup process
  • Consistent behavior

Cons:

  • Version conflicts possible
  • Hard to customize per project

2. Project-Specific Configuration​

Configure SkyFi MCP for individual projects.

Pros:

  • Project isolation
  • Custom configurations
  • Version control friendly

Cons:

  • Setup per project
  • Potential duplication

Global installation with project-specific configurations.

Best of both worlds: System-wide availability with project customization.

Prerequisites​

Before setting up any MCP client, ensure you have:

Required​

  • SkyFi MCP Server installed (Installation Guide)
  • SkyFi API credentials from your account
  • Python 3.11+ with virtual environment
  • Your chosen AI client downloaded and installed

Optional​

  • OpenWeatherMap API key for weather integration
  • Docker for containerized deployment
  • Git for version control integration

Common Configuration Elements​

All MCP clients require similar configuration elements:

Command Configuration​

{
  "command": "/path/to/python",
  "args": ["-m", "mcp_skyfi"],
  "cwd": "/path/to/project"
}

Environment Variables​

{
  "env": {
    "SKYFI_API_KEY": "your-email@example.com:your-api-key-hash",
    "SKYFI_URL": "https://app.skyfi.com/platform-api/pricing",
    "OPENWEATHER_API_KEY": "optional-weather-key"
  }
}

Transport Options​

  • STDIO (default): Direct process communication
  • HTTP: Web server mode for browser-based clients
  • SSE: Server-sent events for real-time updates

Setup Process Overview​

Each client setup follows this general pattern:

  1. ** Install Prerequisites** - Client software and extensions
  2. ** Configure Server** - MCP server connection settings
  3. ** Set Credentials** - API keys and authentication
  4. ** Test Integration** - Verify tools are available
  5. ** Start Using** - Run test commands and examples

Platform-Specific Notes​

macOS​

  • Configuration files in ~/Library/Application Support/
  • Use which python to find Python path
  • May need to allow app permissions in System Preferences

Windows​

  • Configuration files in %APPDATA%\ directories
  • Use where python to find Python path
  • May need to run as administrator for global configs

Linux​

  • Configuration files in ~/.config/ or ~/.local/
  • Package manager installations may affect paths
  • Check distribution-specific documentation

Security Considerations​

API Key Management​

  • Store securely: Use environment variables, not hardcoded values
  • Limit scope: Use minimal required permissions
  • Rotate regularly: Update keys periodically
  • Never commit: Don't include keys in version control

Network Security​

  • Use HTTPS: All API calls are encrypted
  • Verify certificates: Enable SSL verification
  • Monitor usage: Track API calls and usage patterns

Access Control​

  • User-specific configs: Avoid shared credentials
  • Project isolation: Separate configs per project when needed
  • Audit access: Monitor who has access to what

Troubleshooting Quick Guide​

Common Issues​

** "Server not found"**

  • Check Python path is correct
  • Verify working directory exists
  • Ensure MCP server is installed

** "0 tools enabled"**

  • Verify API credentials are valid
  • Check environment variable format
  • Restart client after configuration

** "Connection timeout"**

  • Check internet connectivity
  • Verify firewall settings
  • Try increasing timeout values

Debug Commands​

# Test server directly
python -m mcp_skyfi --config-check

# Verify tool discovery
python -c "from mcp_skyfi.servers.main import main_mcp; print(len(main_mcp.list_tools()))"

# Check environment variables
env | grep SKYFI

Performance Optimization​

Client-Specific Tips​

  • Claude Desktop: Close other resource-intensive apps
  • Cursor AI: Disable unnecessary extensions
  • Windsurf: Optimize team sync settings
  • VSCode: Use workspace settings for better performance

General Optimization​

  • Use local environment variables when possible
  • Enable connection pooling in configuration
  • Set appropriate timeout values
  • Monitor memory usage during development

Next Steps​

  1. Choose your client from the options above
  2. Follow the detailed setup guide for your chosen client
  3. Test the integration with our verification steps
  4. Explore advanced features and customization options

Need Help?​

Ready to set up your AI client? Choose your preferred option above and follow the detailed setup guide!