# Claude MCP

Source: https://routineos.org/learn/claude-mcp

> What an MCP server is, how Claude Code and claude.ai connect to one, and the free read-only RoutineOS docs MCP as a worked example.

Learn

# Claude MCP: connect a server in one line, with a free one to try.

MCP is a standard way for Claude to use another service, such as a docs library, a mailbox or a code host. A Claude MCP server is the service on the other end. This guide explains what that means in plain words, how to add one in Claude Code or on claude.ai, and uses the free, read-only RoutineOS docs server as the worked example.

[Get started](https://routineos.org/#start)[Add the docs MCP](#add)

Free, no sign infrom the docs

What it is

## What is an MCP server?

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It is a shared language that lets Claude call tools and read information that live outside the chat. A server is any service that speaks it. Once Claude is connected, it can use that server's tools while it works with you, instead of guessing.

On claude.ai, a connector is one way of adding an MCP server. In Claude Code you add one from the command line. The [connectors guide](https://routineos.org/learn/claude-connectors) covers how connectors behave in scheduled runs and how RoutineOS gates every write.

A free example

## Add the free RoutineOS docs MCP server

The RoutineOS docs and template catalog are a free MCP server. It needs no account and no sign in, and every tool is read only. It is a safe first server to try.

1. **In Claude Code, run one line**Paste this in your terminal. If you install the RoutineOS plugin, it connects the server for you.

`claude mcp add --transport http routineos https://docs.routineos.org/api/mcp`

1. **Or add it on claude.ai**In Claude on the web or Claude Desktop, open **Customize**, then **Connectors**, then **+ Add** and **Add custom connector**. Name it `RoutineOS`, paste `https://docs.routineos.org/api/mcp`, choose **No sign in**, then **Add**. Turn it on in a chat from **+ > Connectors**.
2. **Share it with the project**Add `--scope project` to the command above and the server is written to the repository's `.mcp.json`. Everyone on the repo gets it, and so do cloud scheduled routines on that repo.
3. **Ask Claude something**For example, "search the RoutineOS docs for gates", or "set up the jobs watch template".

Source: the RoutineOS README and [The RoutineOS MCP](https://docs.routineos.org/mcp). Free plans allow one custom connector. On Team and Enterprise an owner adds it under Organization settings, Connectors.

Project scope

## Why the project scope matters for scheduled runs

A cloud scheduled task sees connectors from your claude.ai account and a `.mcp.json` committed to its repository. It does not see servers you added on your own machine with plain `claude mcp add`. If a routine should use a server, add it as a connector or commit it with the project scope.

A server added on a laptop also cannot be a claude.ai connector, because a custom connector has to be reachable over the public internet.

Docs-stated. Source: [The RoutineOS MCP](https://docs.routineos.org/mcp), which cites Anthropic's scheduled tasks and custom connector documentation.

What it gives Claude

## What the docs MCP can do, and what it never does

### Nine tools

- Read: search the docs, get a page, list pages.
- Templates: list the catalog, get a template, return the steps to install one.
- Start: how to install the plugin.
- n8n: search the public n8n gallery and return the migrate steps for a workflow.

### It never

- Runs a command or writes a file. It only returns text.
- Installs anything. It returns the steps for your Claude to run, after you agree.
- Asks for an account or stores who uses it.

Source: [The RoutineOS MCP](https://docs.routineos.org/mcp). Only the two n8n tools make outbound requests, to the public n8n template gallery. RoutineOS is not affiliated with n8n.

## Connect it, then build a routine

Install the plugin in Claude Code and start from a template. Free (MIT). Needs a paid Claude plan.

[Get started](https://routineos.org/#start)[Read about connectors](https://routineos.org/learn/claude-connectors)