Claude Code Setup

Install and configure Context7 MCP Server in Claude Code

Claude Code Setup

Install Context7 MCP Server in Claude Code to access up-to-date documentation and code examples directly in your AI coding sessions.

Prerequisites

• Claude Code CLI installed
• (Recommended) Free API key from context7.com/dashboard

While Context7 works without an API key, we recommend getting a free API key for higher rate limits.

Installation Methods

Claude Code supports both local and remote MCP server connections via the claude mcp add command.

Local Server (Recommended)

Local connection runs the MCP server on your machine using npx.

Global Installation

Install Context7 for all Claude Code sessions:

With API Key (Recommended)

claude mcp add --scope user context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp --api-key YOUR_API_KEY

claude mcp add --scope user context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key from context7.com/dashboard

Project-Specific Installation

Install Context7 for the current project only (omit --scope user):

claude mcp add context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp --api-key YOUR_API_KEY

Benefits

• Maximum privacy (runs entirely on your machine)
• Works offline after initial package download
• Full control over server lifecycle
• Recommended by Claude Code team

Remote Server

Remote connection uses the hosted Context7 MCP server via HTTP.

Global Installation

With API Key (Recommended)

claude mcp add --scope user --header "CONTEXT7_API_KEY: YOUR_API_KEY" --transport http context7 https://mcp.context7.com/mcp

claude mcp add --scope user --transport http context7 https://mcp.context7.com/mcp

claude mcp add --scope user --transport http context7 https://mcp.context7.com/mcp/oauth

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key from context7.com/dashboard

Project-Specific Installation

Install for the current project only (omit --scope user):

claude mcp add --header "CONTEXT7_API_KEY: YOUR_API_KEY" --transport http context7 https://mcp.context7.com/mcp

Benefits

• No local installation or dependencies
• Always running the latest version
• Reduced system resource usage
• Perfect for teams (consistent configuration)

Automated Setup

Use the Context7 CLI for automated setup:

npx ctx7 setup --claude

This command:

• Authenticates via OAuth
• Generates an API key
• Configures the MCP server via claude mcp add
• Sets up recommended rules in CLAUDE.md

Verify Installation

1. List MCP Servers

   Check that Context7 is installed:

   claude mcp list
   

   You should see context7 in the list of configured servers.

2. Start Claude Code Session

   Start a new coding session:

   claude
   
3. Test with a Prompt

   Try a prompt like:

   Create a Next.js middleware that checks for a valid JWT. use context7
   

   You should see Context7 tools being invoked and documentation being retrieved.

Add a Rule (Recommended)

To avoid typing use context7 in every prompt, add an automatic invocation rule to your CLAUDE.md file.

Global Rule

Create or edit ~/.config/claude/CLAUDE.md:

CLAUDE.md

# Context7 Auto-Invocation

Always use Context7 MCP when I need library/API documentation, code generation, 
setup or configuration steps without me having to explicitly ask.

Project-Specific Rule

Create CLAUDE.md in your project root:

CLAUDE.md

# Project Rules

Always use Context7 MCP when I need library/API documentation, code generation, 
setup or configuration steps without me having to explicitly ask.

Managing Installation

Update Context7

For local installations using npx, Context7 automatically uses the latest version. For pinned versions:

# Remove existing installation
claude mcp remove context7

# Reinstall latest version
claude mcp add --scope user context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp --api-key YOUR_API_KEY

Remove Context7

claude mcp remove context7

View Configuration

claude mcp show context7

Troubleshooting

MCP server not listed

1. Verify the installation command completed successfully
2. Run claude mcp list to check registered servers
3. Try removing and reinstalling: claude mcp remove context7 then reinstall

Authentication errors

1. Verify your API key is correct (should start with ctx7sk)
2. Ensure the API key is properly quoted in the command
3. Try regenerating your API key at context7.com/dashboard
4. For remote connections, check the header name is CONTEXT7_API_KEY

Local server fails to start

1. Ensure Node.js is installed: node --version
2. Clear npx cache: npx clear-npx-cache
3. Test manual execution: npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp
4. Check Claude Code logs for error messages

Remote connection fails

1. Verify internet connectivity
2. Check that the URL is correct: https://mcp.context7.com/mcp
3. Test the endpoint: curl https://mcp.context7.com/ping
4. Ensure firewall allows HTTPS connections

Rate limit errors

1. Get a free API key at context7.com/dashboard
2. Check your usage and quota on the dashboard
3. Consider upgrading to a paid plan at context7.com/plans

Tools not being invoked

1. Add use context7 explicitly to your prompt
2. Check that your CLAUDE.md rule is properly formatted
3. Verify Context7 server is running: claude mcp list
4. Try restarting Claude Code

Advanced Configuration

Using Environment Variables

Store your API key in an environment variable:

# Add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc
export CONTEXT7_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"

Then install without specifying the key in the command:

claude mcp add --scope user context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp

The server will automatically read from the CONTEXT7_API_KEY environment variable.

Multiple Configurations

You can have different configurations for different projects:

# Global configuration (no API key)
claude mcp add --scope user context7-global -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp

# Project-specific with API key
cd ~/projects/my-project
claude mcp add context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp --api-key YOUR_API_KEY

Learn More

For more details on Claude Code MCP integration, see:

• Claude Code MCP Documentation
• Model Context Protocol Specification

Next Steps

Configuration

Learn about advanced configuration options

Tools Reference

Explore available MCP tools