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MCP (Model Context Protocol) Integration

Catalyst supports Model Context Protocol (MCP) so AI tools can connect to a project-aware server instead of working from generic assumptions. This is useful when you want framework-aware answers about routing, configuration, build flow, and project setup.

Setting Up MCP Support​

When creating a new Catalyst application, you can enable MCP support during the setup process:

npx create-catalyst-app@latest

You'll be prompted with:

Add MCP (Model Context Protocol) support? (Y/n)

Selecting Y will create a local mcp.js file in your project that can be linked to any MCP-supporting client.

What The Generated Server Does​

The generated mcp.js entrypoint exposes Catalyst project context to MCP-compatible tools. In practice, this gives AI clients a better understanding of:

  • the Catalyst project root
  • framework-specific configuration
  • routing and architecture concepts
  • build and universal app setup

Connecting To MCP Clients​

Replace /complete/path/to/your/project/mcp/mcp.js with the absolute path to your project's mcp.js file.

Claude Desktop​

To connect your Catalyst MCP server to Claude Desktop, add the following configuration to your claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "catalyst": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/complete/path/to/your/project/mcp/mcp.js"]
    }
  }
}

Monorepo Note​

In monorepo setups, run MCP setup from the Catalyst app package itself rather than from the monorepo root. Catalyst resolves the nearest package that actually depends on catalyst-core, and that package becomes the MCP project root.

  • keep the configured path absolute
  • configure the MCP server per project, not as a generic shared script
  • if you use a monorepo, verify the client points to the Catalyst sub-package, not the repository root

Cursor​

For Cursor integration, create or update .cursor/mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "catalyst": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/complete/path/to/your/project/mcp/mcp.js"]
    }
  }
}

Deputy Dev​

For Deputy Dev integration, create or update .deputydev/mcp_settings.json in your project root:

{
  "mcp_servers": {
    "catalyst": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/complete/path/to/your/project/mcp/mcp.js"]
    }
  }
}