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Set up Claude for Kanera MCP

Claude Code and Claude Desktop both speak the Model Context Protocol, so either can connect to Kanera's MCP server.

Connect with OAuth (no API key)​

For a remote connection, the simplest option is OAuth: add Kanera's MCP address as a custom connector and let Claude open a browser sign-in and consent screen. You do not create or paste an API key.

  1. In Claude, add a custom or remote MCP server and enter Kanera's MCP address:

    https://mcp.kanera.app/mcp

  2. Claude opens a Kanera tab. Sign in, review what the agent can do, and choose Allow access.

  3. Claude reconnects automatically and the Kanera tools become available.

Manage or disconnect the agent later from Profile settings -> API keys. On hosted Kanera this requires a paid or trial plan. See Connect an AI agent for details. To use an API key instead, or to run a local stdio server, continue below.

Install the Kanera skill​

The MCP connection gives Claude access to Kanera's tools. The optional Kanera agent skill teaches it to resolve names to stable IDs, read current state before reporting or changing work, use idempotency keys, and handle failures safely.

npx -y skills add https://github.com/happendev/Kanera/tree/main/integrations/skills/kanera --yes --global

Restart Claude if the skill does not appear. Claude can load it automatically for relevant work, or you can invoke it explicitly.

Connect with an API key​

Replace kanera_live_... with a personal key from Profile settings -> API keys or a workspace key from Workspace settings -> API, and set KANERA_PUBLIC_API_URL to https://api.kanera.app. For a personal Claude setup, a personal key is usually the right fit because it follows your own board access across workspaces.

Workspace API settings where a workspace API key can be created for Kanera MCP.

Claude Code (CLI)​

Add the server with a single command.

For a local stdio server:

claude mcp add kanera \
  --env KANERA_API_KEY=kanera_live_... \
  --env KANERA_PUBLIC_API_URL=https://api.kanera.app \
  -- pnpm --filter @kanera/mcp stdio

For a remote HTTP endpoint:

claude mcp add --transport http kanera https://mcp.kanera.app/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer kanera_live_..."

Then run claude mcp list to confirm the server is connected.

Claude Desktop app​

Edit the config file (Settings -> Developer -> Edit Config, which opens claude_desktop_config.json) and add the server under mcpServers:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "kanera": {
      "command": "pnpm",
      "args": ["--filter", "@kanera/mcp", "stdio"],
      "env": {
        "KANERA_API_KEY": "kanera_live_...",
        "KANERA_PUBLIC_API_URL": "https://api.kanera.app"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop after saving, then open a new conversation and confirm the Kanera tools are available. This configuration runs the server locally through stdio.

If you already configured Kanera in Claude Desktop and later install Claude Code, Claude Code can import the desktop configuration with:

claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop

This import command is available on macOS and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).