mcp-p-anthropic-server

Claude Desktop API Integration via MCP

This project develops a Machine Communication Protocol (MCP) Server to enable seamless integration between Claude Desktop and Claude API, allowing users to access advanced features such as system prompts and conversation management.

Credits

This project is based on Claude_Desktop_API_USE_VIA_MCP by mlobo2012. Special thanks to the original author for developing this integration approach.

Key Features

• Direct connection to Claude API through MCP
• Conversation history tracking and management
• System prompt support
• Seamless switching between Professional Plan and API usage
• Easy configuration with Claude Desktop
• Support for latest Claude models (Claude 3 Opus, Sonnet, Haiku)
• Support for Claude 3.5 Sonnet
• FastAPI service for external access

When to Use

Professional Plan (Default)

• Regular conversations in Claude Desktop
• Basic usage within plan limitations
• No special configuration required

API Token (Through this MCP server)

• When you need a longer context window
• When you want to use system prompts
• When you need to bypass rate limits
• When you need advanced conversation management

Installation Steps

1. Clone the Repository

# Using VS Code
# 1. Press Cmd + Shift + P (macOS) or Ctrl + Shift + P (Windows)
# 2. Type "Git: Clone"
# 3. Paste: [Your URL]

# Or using terminal
git clone [Your URL]
cd mcp-p-anthropic-server

2. Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Configure Environment

# Copy environment template
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env and add your API key
# ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

4. Configure Claude Desktop

macOS

Go to ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/

# Using Finder
# 1. Press Cmd + Shift + G
# 2. Enter: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/

Windows

Go to %APPDATA%\Claude\

1. Create or edit claude_desktop_config.json
2. Copy content from config/claude_desktop_config.json
3. Update paths and API key

Usage Guide

Basic Usage

Normal Claude Desktop Usage

• Just chat with Claude normally
• Uses your Professional plan
• No special commands needed

API Usage

@claude-api Please answer using API: What is the capital of France?

Advanced Features

Using System Prompts

@claude-api {"system_prompt": "You are an expert fitness coach"} Create a workout plan

Conversation Management

# Start a new conversation
@claude-api {"conversation_id": "project1"} Let's talk about Python

# Continue existing conversation
@claude-api {"conversation_id": "project1"} Tell me more

# View conversation history
@claude-api get_conversation_history project1

# Clear conversation
@claude-api clear_conversation project1

View Available Models

@claude-api list_available_models

Cost Management

• API calls will use your Anthropic API credits and may incur charges
• Use Professional plan for general inquiries
• Use @claude-api only when you need:
  • Longer context window
  • Custom system prompts
  • Bypass rate limits

Available MCP Tools

Claude API Tools

This system includes 5 tools for working with the Claude API that you can invoke via Claude Desktop chat with the @claude-api command followed by the tool name and required parameters:

1. query_claude

Allows you to send a query directly to the Claude API with advanced options

@claude-api query_claude prompt="Your question" [conversation_id="desired_id"] [system_prompt="Your system prompt"] [model="model_name"] [temperature=0.7] [max_tokens=4096]

Parameters:

• prompt: The question or request to send (required)
• conversation_id: Conversation ID to track the conversation (default: "default")
• system_prompt: Optional system prompt to guide Claude's behavior (optional)
• model: Claude model to use (default: "claude-3-sonnet-20240229")
• temperature: Creativity level of the response (0.0-1.0, default: 0.7)
• max_tokens: Maximum tokens to generate (default: 4096)

2. clear_conversation

Clears the specified conversation history

@claude-api clear_conversation [conversation_id="default"]

Parameters:

• conversation_id: Conversation ID to clear (default: "default")

3. get_conversation_history

Retrieves conversation history for the specified ID

@claude-api get_conversation_history [conversation_id="default"]

Parameters:

• conversation_id: Conversation ID to view history (default: "default")

4. list_conversations

Lists all available conversation IDs

@claude-api list_conversations

No additional parameters required

5. list_available_models

Lists all available Claude models

@claude-api list_available_models

No additional parameters required

Advanced Usage Examples

Using Custom Model with System Prompt

@claude-api query_claude prompt="Analyze this data and provide recommendations" model="claude-3-opus-20240229" system_prompt="You are an expert data analyst, focused on providing concise and actionable insights"

Tracking Complex Conversation

@claude-api query_claude prompt="Start planning a project" conversation_id="project_planning" system_prompt="You are an experienced project manager specializing in software development planning"

@claude-api query_claude prompt="What are the main risks to watch out for?" conversation_id="project_planning"

@claude-api query_claude prompt="Create an initial timeline" conversation_id="project_planning"

• query_claude: Creates direct API calls to Claude

  • Supports system prompts
  • Conversation tracking

• clear_conversation: Resets conversation history

  • Manage multiple conversation threads

• get_conversation_history: Retrieves conversation logs

  • Debug conversation flow

• list_conversations: Shows all existing conversations

• list_available_models: Shows all available Claude models

Development

The main server imports are in src/server.py and the API server is in src/api_server.py

To extend functionality, you can add new tools using the @mcp.tool() decorator

Example of adding a new tool:

@mcp.tool()
async def custom_tool(param: str) -> str:
    """
    Description of custom tool
    
    Args:
        param: Parameter description
    """
    try:
        # Tool implementation
        return result
    except Exception as e:
        return f"Error: {str(e)}"

Troubleshooting

API Key Issues

• Check your API key in .env
• Check Claude Desktop configuration paths
• Ensure API key has proper permissions

Connection Issues

• Check if MCP server is running
• Check Python environment
• Check Claude Desktop logs

Usage Issues

• Check @claude-api syntax is correct
• Check conversation IDs
• Check system prompt format

Support

For issues and questions:

• Open a new issue in the repository
• Check existing discussions
• Review troubleshooting guide