MCP Setup Guide (Claude)

This guide instructs users on setting up the MCP Server and enabling Claude Desktop integration for both Windows and macOS systems.

Prerequisites

Before beginning the setup process, you will need to:

Access to a Pax8 account (app.pax8.com)
Administrative privileges on your computer
Internet connection for downloading required software

Step 1: Access the Pax8 Integrations Page

Sign in to app.pax8.com
On the left pane, select Settings > Integrations

Step 2: Generate Authentication Token

Navigate to the Integrations page
On the Integrations page, select the MCP server tab
Under MCP Token and Authentication, select Generate Token
- The page will refresh automatically after token generation

Step 3: Install Node.js v18

Node.js v18 is the minimum requirement to access the MCP Server.

Initial Steps (All Platforms)

On the Integrations page, select the MCP server tab
On the right Info panel, under Prerequisites, select Node.js v18
On nodejs.org, select Download
On the Download Node.js page, locate the dropdown for a prebuilt Node.js

Platform-Specific Download and Installation

Windows

Select Windows from the dropdown
Select Windows installer (.msi)
Access the node-v[semver version].msi file on your device

macOS

Select macOS from the dropdown
Select macOS installer (.pkg)
Access the node-v[semver version].pkg file on your device

Installation Process (All Platforms)

On the Install Node.js wizard, select Continue
Read the Software License Agreement and select Continue
Select Agree to the terms of the agreement
Select Install (you will be prompted to enter your device's username and password)
Enter your login details and select Install Software
When download is complete, select Close

Step 4: Install Claude Desktop

Prior to downloading the Claude Desktop app, ensure you have completed Steps 1-3 (token generation and Node.js installation).

Download Claude Desktop

On the Integrations page, select the MCP server tab
On the right Info panel, under Prerequisites, select Claude Desktop

Windows

On the Claude Download page, select Windows
Access the Claude.exe file on your device
- Default directory: C:\Users\your-username\AppData\Roaming\Claude

macOS

On the Claude Download page, select macOS
Access the Claude.dmg file on your device

Install and Setup Claude Desktop

Follow the instructions to download and install
Open your newly-downloaded Claude application

macOS Additional Step

On the Claude for Mac wizard, select Get Started

Continue for All Platforms

Choose your sign-in method and create an account
You will be prompted with the following before accessing the Claude app:
- "Do you want to allow this website to open 'Claude'?"
- "Use Quick entry to send messages and screenshots to Claude from any app."
Verify that the Claude Desktop chat window is open

Step 5: Configure Claude Desktop

Access Settings

Windows

Select the menu icon > Settings…

macOS

On the top menu, select Claude > Settings…

Edit Configuration

On the Settings module, select Developer > Edit Config
Open claude_desktop_config.json (the file will open in your device's default text editor)
Navigate back to the Integrations > MCP Server page in your browser
Scroll down to the Connect section and select Claude

Select Copy Code (this will copy the configuration with your MCP token already in place to the clipboard)

OR you can copy this code and replace with your unique token

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "supergateway-pax8": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "supergateway",
        "--header",
        "x-pax8-mcp-token:YOUR-MCP-TOKEN-HERE",
        "--sse",
        "https://mcp.pax8.com/v1/sse"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Locate your text editor window with claude_desktop_config.json and replace the existing text with your copied code
On the top menu, select File > Save
Exit the text editor once the file is saved

Apply Configuration Changes

Windows

Exit the Claude Desktop application
Reopen the Claude Desktop app

macOS

Exit the Claude Desktop application by selecting Claude > Quit from the top menu
Reopen the Claude Desktop app

Step 6: Verify Integration

Select the Adjust icon on the chat window (a modal will appear)
Select supergateway-pax8 (there should be a corresponding number next to it)
Verify that there is a list of tools available under supergateway-pax8
Claude Desktop should now be integrated with the Pax8 MCP Server

Optional: Getting Started

Use the sample prompts available on the Integrations > MCP Server page to begin exploring the integration capabilities.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during setup:

Ensure Node.js v18 or higher is properly installed
Verify that your authentication token was generated successfully
Check that the claude_desktop_config.json file was saved correctly
Restart Claude Desktop after making configuration changes

For additional support, refer to the Pax8 documentation or contact your system administrator or see Clause official documentation: https://modelcontextprotocol.io/quickstart/user