MCP

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What MCP gives you

• Connect Cline to external APIs and services
• Add custom tools beyond built-in Cline tools
• Use either local servers or remote hosted servers

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Quick start

1. Open MCP Servers in Cline
2. Add a local server manually, or connect to a hosted remote server
3. Configure credentials/environment variables
4. Verify tools appear and test one tool call

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Add servers

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Manual config

• CLI: ~/.cline/mcp.json
• IDE extensions:
  1. In the Cline panel, click the MCP Servers icon (stacked server icon in the top toolbar).
  2. Open the Configure tab.
  3. Click Configure MCP Servers (button near the bottom).
  4. This opens the MCP settings JSON used by the extension; add/update entries under mcpServers.
  • If you’re adding a hosted endpoint (instead of editing JSON directly), use the Remote Servers tab:
    1. Enter Server Name (any unique label).
    2. Enter Server URL (full endpoint URL).
    3. Choose Transport Type:
       • Streamable HTTP (recommended)
       • SSE (Legacy)
    4. Click Add Server.
  • Server config shape:
    • Local (STDIO) server using command + args
    • Remote (HTTP/SSE) server using url

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CLI MCP wizard

cline mcp

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Configuration examples

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Local server (STDIO)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "local-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/server.js"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

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Remote server (Streamable HTTP)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remote-server": {
      "type": "streamableHttp",
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-token"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

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Transport types

• STDIO: local process, lower latency, simpler local setup
• Remote HTTP/SSE: hosted endpoint, centralized deployment, supports multi-client usage

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Managing servers

• Enable/disable servers
• Restart unresponsive servers
• Set request timeouts
• Remove servers

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Security basics

• Only install servers you trust
• Store secrets in environment variables
• Limit autoApprove to safe tools
• Review tool calls before approval

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Troubleshooting

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CLI

cline config mcp
cline config mcp --json