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

# Claude Desktop

> Install and use the Xano Developer MCP with Claude Desktop

export const BrowserFrame = props => {
  const {url = "xano.run", maxWidth = 820, className = "", lightSrc, darkSrc, alt = "", children} = props || ({});
  const style = typeof maxWidth === "number" ? {
    maxWidth: `${maxWidth}px`,
    margin: "16px 0"
  } : {
    maxWidth,
    margin: "16px 0"
  };
  const hasSwapImages = Boolean(lightSrc && darkSrc);
  return <div className={`browser-frame ${className}`.trim()} style={style}>
      <div className="browser-frame__top">
        <div className="browser-frame__controls" aria-hidden="true">
          <span className="browser-frame__dot browser-frame__dot--red" />
          <span className="browser-frame__dot browser-frame__dot--yellow" />
          <span className="browser-frame__dot browser-frame__dot--green" />
        </div>
        <div className="browser-frame__address">{url}</div>
      </div>

      <div className="browser-frame__body">
        {hasSwapImages ? <>
            <img className="browser-frame__img--light" src={lightSrc} alt={alt} />
            <img className="browser-frame__img--dark" src={darkSrc} alt={alt} />
          </> : children}
      </div>
    </div>;
};

## Prerequisites

* [Node.js](https://nodejs.org/) 18 or later
* [Claude Desktop](https://claude.com/download) installed

## Installation

### Install the MCP Server

Add the Xano Developer MCP to your Claude Desktop configuration file.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="macOS">
    Edit `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`:
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windows">
    Edit `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`:
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "xano": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@xano/developer-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

Save the file and **fully quit and restart Claude Desktop** so the new server is loaded. Reopening the window is not enough.

### Verify Setup

In Claude Desktop, ask:

> "What version of the Xano Developer MCP is installed?"

Claude should call `mcp_version` and return the current version number.

## Usage

The Developer MCP gives Claude Desktop access to XanoScript documentation, code validation, and CLI/API references. Because Claude Desktop is a chat surface (not a code editor), it's best suited for asking questions, drafting XanoScript snippets, and validating code you paste into the chat.

For example:

```bash theme={null}
Validate this XanoScript and fix any issues:

query users { return db.user.list({}) }
```

<Expandable title="See the result">
  Claude calls the `validate_xanoscript` tool, finds the syntax error in the snippet, and rewrites it correctly. The corrected version is returned in the chat for you to copy back into your editor or workspace.
</Expandable>

You can also ask it conceptual questions like:

```bash theme={null}
What's the difference between a XanoScript function and a query? When should I use each?
```

For full project-building workflows where the AI writes files directly into your workspace, use [Claude Code](/developer-mcp/clients/claude-code) or [VS Code with Claude Code](/developer-mcp/clients/vs-code-claude-code) instead.

## What's Next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tools Reference" icon="wrench" href="/developer-mcp/tools">
    Explore all 6 tools available in the Developer MCP
  </Card>

  <Card title="Resources & Library" icon="book" href="/developer-mcp/resources">
    Access MCP resources and use the package as an npm library
  </Card>
</CardGroup>