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Set up Claude for Kanera MCP

Claude on the web, Claude Desktop, and Claude Code can connect to Kanera through the Model Context Protocol.

Claude and Claude Desktop: connect with OAuth​

Kanera is a published Claude connector. Search for Kanera under Customize -> Connectors and select Connect. Claude opens a browser sign-in and consent screen; you do not create or paste an API key. Hosted Kanera still requires a paid account or trial.

If the published connector is not visible for the current account or workspace, add the same production endpoint as a custom connector:

  1. Open Customize -> Connectors.

  2. Select + -> Add custom connector.

  3. Enter Kanera's MCP address:

    https://mcp.kanera.app/mcp

  4. Select Add, then Connect.

For a Team or Enterprise organisation that restricts connectors, an Owner or Primary Owner may need to enable Kanera under Organization settings -> Connectors before members can connect it.

Claude opens a Kanera tab. Sign in, review what the agent can do, and choose Allow access. Enable Kanera for a conversation from the + -> Connectors menu beside the composer.

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

Claude Code: connect with OAuth​

When Claude Code is signed in with the same Claude account, first run claude mcp list. If the published Kanera connector is already present, start Claude Code, enter /mcp, and connect or authenticate it there. Do not add a duplicate server.

If Kanera is not present, add the hosted server for your user so it is available across projects:

claude mcp add --transport http kanera --scope user https://mcp.kanera.app/mcp

Start Claude Code and enter /mcp. Select Kanera and complete the browser authentication flow. Run claude mcp list to confirm it reports Connected.

Shell-only fallback​

If an agent can run shell commands but cannot use MCP, install the Kanera CLI rather than automating the web interface:

npx -y @kanera/cli commands          # inspect it without a global install
npm install --global @kanera/cli     # persistent command; requires Node 22+
kanera auth login
kanera setup claude --global
kanera whoami --json

The CLI exposes the same Kanera tool layer and uses an API key created in Kanera. Prefer the published connector when it is available because OAuth avoids creating or storing a separate key.

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 --scope user 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).

Client references​