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

# Claude Desktop

> Connect ModusBrain to the Claude Desktop app.

# Connect ModusBrain to Claude Desktop

**Important:** Claude Desktop does NOT connect to remote MCP servers via
`claude_desktop_config.json`. That file only works for local stdio servers.
Remote HTTP servers must be added through the GUI.

## Setup

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to **Settings > Integrations**
3. Click **Add Integration** (or **Add Connector**)
4. Enter the MCP server URL:
   ```
   https://YOUR-DOMAIN.ngrok.app/mcp
   ```
   Replace `YOUR-DOMAIN` with your ngrok domain (see
   [ngrok-tunnel recipe](../../recipes/ngrok-tunnel.md) for setup).
5. Set authentication to **Bearer Token** and paste your token
   (create one with `modusbrain auth create "claude-desktop"`)
6. Save

## Verify

Start a new conversation and try:

```
Search my brain for [any topic]
```

Claude Desktop will use your ModusBrain tools automatically.

## Common Mistakes

**Using claude\_desktop\_config.json for remote servers** — this silently fails
with no error message. The JSON config only works for local stdio MCP servers.
Remote HTTP servers must be added via Settings > Integrations in the GUI.

**Using the wrong URL** — make sure the URL ends with `/mcp` (not `/health`
or just the base domain).