How Claude Code MCP Configuration Works, From One Command to a Generated Video

Claude Code MCP servers are configured by scope, with local entries limited to the current project, user entries available across personal projects, and project entries stored in a shareable `.mcp.json` file; confusion over missing tools often results from adding a server in a different scope or directory. Servers can be registered with `claude mcp add` or `add-json`, verified through `claude mcp get` and `claude mcp list`, and removed with the appropriate scope specified, while project configurations require approval before launching as a security measure. The Atlas Cloud example uses an API key and `npx` to add image and Seedance 2.5 video-generation capabilities, with status checks distinguishing connected, authentication-required, failed, and pending-approval servers. Claude Desktop maintains a separate configuration file and does not automatically share Claude Code servers, although Claude Code can import Desktop settings on supported systems. The guide also distinguishes MCP servers, which provide callable tools, from skills, which supply task-specific instructions and prompting knowledge, and recommends troubleshooting connection failures by running server commands directly, checking Node.js and PATH requirements, or increasing the startup timeout.

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