No. AFAIK you can only use Remote MCP servers that either don't require auth or implement OAuth. There is currently no way to specify API keys within Claude Desktop, Mobile or Web. Learned this while building my own Remote MCP solution by checking their docs: Transport and Auth Claude supports both SSE- and Streamable HTTP-based remote servers, although support for SSE may be deprecated in the coming months. Claude supports both authless and OAuth-based remote servers. Source: https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/11503834-building-custom-connectors-via-remote-mcp-servers Answer from Lukaesch on reddit.com
Model Context Protocol
modelcontextprotocol.io › docs › tutorials › use-remote-mcp-server
Connect to Remote MCP Servers - Model Context Protocol
The process of connecting Claude to a remote MCP server involves adding a Custom Connector through the Claude interface.
Claude
support.claude.com › en › articles › 11503834-building-custom-connectors-via-remote-mcp-servers
Building Custom Connectors via Remote MCP Servers | Claude Help Center
To configure remote MCP servers for use in Claude Desktop, add them via Settings > Connectors.
Videos
02:40
How to Add MCP Servers to Claude (Free and Paid) - YouTube
03:45
How to Add Claude MCP Integrations (Remote MCP Server Tutorial) ...
17:58
Claude Code MCP: How to Add MCP Servers (Complete Guide) - YouTube
46:17
Model Context Protocol | The How | How to connect MCP Servers to ...
04:18
How to Connect an MCP Server to Claude Desktop | Full Setup & Usage ...
Will Claude automatically recognize my MCP server after integration?
Yes, once integrated, Claude will automatically recognize and use your MCP server based on your prompts.
weavely.ai
weavely.ai › blog › claude-mcp
How to add MCP servers to Claude (free and paid)
Can I set up integrations in Claude for free?
Yes, you can manually configure integrations via a JSON file on Claude’s free tier. However, this is only available in the Claude desktop app.
weavely.ai
weavely.ai › blog › claude-mcp
How to add MCP servers to Claude (free and paid)
How easy is it to set up integrations on Claude’s paid tier?
Very easy, just go to Settings → Integrations, press "+ Add Custom Integration" and enter your MCP server's URL.
weavely.ai
weavely.ai › blog › claude-mcp
How to add MCP servers to Claude (free and paid)
Claude
support.claude.com › en › articles › 11175166-getting-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp
Getting Started with Custom Connectors Using Remote MCP | Claude Help Center
Navigate to Admin settings > Connectors. Click "Add custom connector" at the bottom of the section. Add your connector's remote MCP server URL.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/claudeai › claude code now supports remote mcp servers, no local setup required!
r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Claude Code Now Supports Remote MCP Servers, No Local Setup Required!
June 18, 2025 -
Just saw this update and had to share, Claude Code can now connect directly to remote MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers, which is a game changer for developers using cc.
What this means:
Zero local configuration.. pull context from your tools straight into Claude Code
Direct integration.. with external services and APIs
Streamlined workflow.. for developers working with multiple tools and data sources
This basically eliminates the friction of setting up local MCP servers just to get Claude Code to work with your existing toolchain. You can now connect to remote servers and pull in context from databases, APIs, documentation systems, and more without any local setup hassle.
For anyone who's been using Claude Code for development work, you know how powerful it can be.
Perfect for:
Pulling live data from APIs
Accessing remote documentation
Integrating with cloud services
Working with team-shared resources
More details on Anthropic's site: https://www.anthropic.com/news/claude-code-remote-mcp
Reddit
reddit.com › r/claudeai › can i connect claude desktop to remote mcp server via api key directly? (no oauth)
r/ClaudeAI on Reddit: Can I connect Claude Desktop to Remote MCP server via API KEY Directly? (No OAuth)
August 13, 2025 -
As the title says, I have an API that supports api keys, but I haven't implemented OAuth flow. I want to expose some of it as MCP tools through an remote MCP server (not a local one installed via node). I want this server to be accessible through Claude Desktop. Is that doable at all? It seems like the only supported way for remote servers is through OAuth flow, if I want to use copied api token directly, I need to go with some local setup e.g. node installation or docker container. Any thoughts?
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No. AFAIK you can only use Remote MCP servers that either don't require auth or implement OAuth. There is currently no way to specify API keys within Claude Desktop, Mobile or Web. Learned this while building my own Remote MCP solution by checking their docs: Transport and Auth Claude supports both SSE- and Streamable HTTP-based remote servers, although support for SSE may be deprecated in the coming months. Claude supports both authless and OAuth-based remote servers. Source: https://support.anthropic.com/en/articles/11503834-building-custom-connectors-via-remote-mcp-servers
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You can use the commands.com mcp gateway. It will handle oauth, stripe, and everything else. Just use the npx command to create the mcp and build in the tools and host wherever you want. Let me know if you need help.
Weavely
weavely.ai › blog › claude-mcp
How to add MCP servers to Claude (free and paid)
September 18, 2025 - Yes, you can manually configure ... in the Claude desktop app. Very easy, just go to Settings->Integrations, press "+ Add Custom Integration" and enter your MCP server's URL....
Liblab
liblab.com › model context protocol (mcp)
Connect Claude to an MCP Server | Generate SDKs for your API with liblab
Modify claude_desktop_config.json to point to the local MCP server file path:
Claude
support.claude.com › en › articles › 10949351-getting-started-with-local-mcp-servers-on-claude-desktop
Getting Started with Local MCP Servers on Claude Desktop | Claude Help Center
For enterprise environments, verify that desktop extensions are enabled through your organization's policies. Add a manifest.json file to your MCP server directory with the required metadata.
Natoma
natoma.ai › blog › how-to-enabling-mcp-in-claude-desktop
Enable MCP in Claude Desktop: Step-by-Step Guide | Natoma
Learn how to enable Model Context Protocol (MCP) in Claude Desktop. Step-by-step guide covers local, hosted, and remote server setup options. Get started today.
Docker
docker.com › blog › connect-mcp-servers-to-claude-desktop-with-mcp-toolkit
Connect MCP Servers to Claude Desktop with Docker MCP Toolkit | Docker
November 5, 2025 - Learn how to set up Claude Desktop with Docker MCP Toolkit to connect MCP servers securely and easily.
Apidog
apidog.com › blog › claude-ai-remote-mcp-server
How to Connect Claude AI to a Remote MCP Server
July 18, 2025 - In the Claude web app, go to the settings menu (click your profile icon, then “Settings”). Look for the “Integrations” section—this is where you’ll add remote MCP servers.
Apollo GraphQL
apollographql.com › tutorials › intro-mcp-graphql › 05-connecting-claude
Connecting our MCP server to our AI assistant Claude - GraphQL Tutorials
To enable an MCP server connection in Claude, we can edit the claude_desktop_config.json file.
GitHub
github.com › modelcontextprotocol › servers › issues › 1106
Configure MCP server remotely without command · Issue #1106 · modelcontextprotocol/servers
March 28, 2025 - Hello, I would like to know if it is possible to have an MCP server without needing a command in the claude_desktop_config.json file. I created a remote server that runs on a VPS and I would like t...
Published Mar 28, 2025
MESA
getmesa.com › home › connect claude to mcp servers for better ai capabilities
Connect Claude to MCP Servers for Better AI Capabilities
October 14, 2025 - Desktop users can connect to local servers, while web users on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans can connect to remote hosted servers through the Integrations feature. ... For Claude Desktop: You need the Claude Desktop app, Node.js installed on your machine, and appropriate MCP server configurations in your claude_desktop_config.json file.