How to add an MCP server or skill to Claude Code, Cursor or Codex

Q: Which tools can do this for me?

Official MCP Registry: The canonical registry other MCP directories read from. Smithery: Browse and install hosted or local MCP servers. mcp.so: Large community directory of MCP servers. mcpservers.org: Curated MCP server directory.

"How do I get the plugin or skills? How do I add this MCP?" Short answer: 5 steps. 1) Find the server in a registry; 2) Read what it can access; 3) Add it with your tool's config; 4) Restart and confirm it loaded; 5) Test with a harmless request.

Last updated: Thursday, October 15, 2026

The problem: "How do I get the plugin or skills? How do I add this MCP?"

Asked on X: post 1, post 2

How do I fix this?

Find the server in a registry
Start from the official MCP Registry or a known directory, and prefer servers published by the company whose product it connects to.
Read what it can access
Check the README for the permissions and API keys it needs. An MCP server runs with whatever access you give it.
Add it with your tool's config
Claude Code: the claude mcp add command. Cursor: an mcp.json file in settings. Codex: its config file. Copy the exact snippet from the server's README for your tool.
Restart and confirm it loaded
Restart the agent, then list available tools (e.g. /mcp in Claude Code) to check the server shows up and connects.
Test with a harmless request
Ask for a read-only action first, like listing items, before letting it create, change or delete anything.