> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.trilo.chat/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Desktop

> Set up Trilo's MCP server in Claude Desktop using the Connectors UI or config file

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/trilo/Sn4xCqXfS0z4bBRK/images/mcp/claude-desktop.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=Sn4xCqXfS0z4bBRK&q=85&s=9d2356b2fb13c44d41c76d0457831e02" alt="Claude Desktop" width="48" noZoom data-path="images/mcp/claude-desktop.svg" />

[Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) is Anthropic's desktop app for Claude. The easiest way to connect is through the **Connectors** UI, which handles OAuth automatically — no token needed.

<Note>
  Custom connectors require a **Pro**, **Max**, **Team**, or **Enterprise** plan.
</Note>

## Setup via Connectors (Recommended)

No token needed — Claude Desktop handles authorization via OAuth.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Connectors settings">
    In Claude Desktop, go to **Settings** > **Connectors**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a custom connector">
    Scroll to the bottom and click **Add custom connector**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the MCP server URL">
    Paste the Trilo MCP endpoint:

    ```
    https://api.trilo.chat/mcp
    ```

    You can skip the **Advanced settings** (OAuth Client ID / Secret) — Trilo's server handles OAuth automatically.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add">
    Click **Add** to save the connector. Claude Desktop will open your browser to authorize access to your Trilo account.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Authorize access">
    Click **Authorize** in your browser. The connector is now active.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enable in a conversation">
    In a new conversation, click the **+** button in the chat input and select **Connectors**. Toggle **Trilo** on for that conversation.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the connection">
    Ask Claude:

    ```
    List my Trilo workspaces
    ```

    If it returns your workspace data, you're connected.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  **Team / Enterprise plans:** An Organization Owner must add the connector first via **Organization settings** > **Connectors**. Members can then connect individually from **Settings** > **Connectors** by clicking **Connect** next to the Trilo connector.
</Tip>

## Setup via Config File (Alternative)

If you prefer editing the JSON config file directly:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the config file">
    Open your Claude Desktop config file in a text editor:

    **macOS:**

    ```
    ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
    ```

    **Windows:**

    ```
    %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the Trilo MCP server">
    Add the following to the file (create it if it doesn't exist):

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "trilo": {
          "type": "http",
          "url": "https://api.trilo.chat/mcp"
        }
      }
    }
    ```

    <Tip>
      If you already have other MCP servers configured, add the `"trilo"` entry inside the existing `"mcpServers"` object.
    </Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Restart Claude Desktop">
    Close and reopen Claude Desktop. It will detect the new server and open your browser to authorize access.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the connection">
    In a new conversation, ask:

    ```
    List my Trilo workspaces
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Claude Desktop does **not** connect to remote MCP servers configured with headers in `claude_desktop_config.json`. For PAT-based authentication, use the **Connectors UI** with Advanced settings, or use [Claude Code](/developers/mcp/clients/claude-code) instead.
</Warning>

## Options

Append query parameters to the MCP URL for additional control:

| Parameter      | Description                      | Example                                           |
| -------------- | -------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------- |
| `workspace_id` | Restrict to a specific workspace | `https://api.trilo.chat/mcp?workspace_id=abc-123` |
| `read_only`    | Force read-only mode             | `https://api.trilo.chat/mcp?read_only=true`       |

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="'Add custom connector' not visible">
    Custom connectors require a **Pro**, **Max**, **Team**, or **Enterprise** plan. Check your subscription in Claude Desktop settings.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connector added but not working">
    Make sure you've enabled the connector for the conversation. Click the **+** button in the chat input, then **Connectors**, and toggle Trilo on.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="MCP server not detected (config file method)">
    Double-check your config file path and JSON syntax. Use a JSON validator if needed — a missing comma or bracket will prevent the file from being parsed.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tools not appearing">
    Restart Claude Desktop after adding the connector. Verify the URL is exactly `https://api.trilo.chat/mcp` with no trailing slash.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Session expired (error -32002)">
    MCP sessions expire after 30 minutes of inactivity. Claude Desktop usually reconnects automatically. If not, restart the app.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>