Set up Wield in Claude Code

#Does Claude Code run local MCP servers?

Yes. Claude Code adds local servers with claude mcp add, and it starts them as processes on your computer. Wield works the same way. Claude Code launches wield-mcp, and wield-mcp reaches your browser through a local bridge. Nothing listens on a network port.

#Config file and location

Claude Code stores servers at three scopes:

To make Wield available in every project, add it with --scope user:

claude mcp add --scope user wield -- npx -y wield-mcp

#The Wield snippet

The CLI command is the quickest route:

claude mcp add --transport stdio wield -- npx -y wield-mcp

The -- separator divides Claude's options from the server command. Without it, flags after the server name are read as Claude options.

To share the setup with a team, commit a .mcp.json file to the project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wield": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "wield-mcp"]
    }
  }
}

#Check that it works

1. Run claude mcp list in a terminal, or claude mcp get wield to see the entry.
2. Start a new Claude Code session, then run /mcp inside it to see the server and its tools.
3. Run npx -y wield-mcp check. It runs one read-only sample through your browser and ends with "Wield is ready".

If the tools do not show up, start a new session first. Claude Code reads its servers at session start.

#Gotchas

• Project servers ask for approval. The first time Claude Code sees a project's .mcp.json, it asks you to approve the server. To reset those choices, run claude mcp reset-project-choices.
• No type means stdio. An entry without a type field is read as stdio, so the type line in the file is optional.
• Extension and bridge. The MCP entry alone is not enough. Install the Wield extension and bridge from /install, or run init.
• Browser open. Wield runs only while your Chromium browser is open.

#FAQ

#Is the Claude Code setup the same as Claude Desktop?

No. Claude Code uses claude mcp add or a .mcp.json file. Claude Desktop uses its own config file. See Wield in Claude Desktop.

#Which scope should I use?

Use user scope if you want Wield in all your projects. Use project scope when a team should share the same server through version control. Claude Code asks you to approve project servers.

#Does Claude Code need the Wield extension too?

Yes. The MCP entry starts wield-mcp, but recipes run in a Chromium browser through the Wield extension. Install Wield to set up both.