Claude Desktop
Add Parallect to Claude Desktop via MCP -- place config in the right file for your OS and verify the connection.
Claude Desktop
Claude Desktop can load MCP servers so Claude can use external tools. Connecting Parallect gives your desktop assistant account-backed access to Parallect's research tools.
What this integration enables
Once configured, Claude Desktop can call Parallect through MCP -- useful for research adjacent to documents, email drafts, or anything you do in the desktop app. Capabilities match what the Parallect MCP server exposes for your account.
Step-by-step setup
- In Parallect, open Integrations and select Claude Desktop.
- Complete the setup dialog: create or select an API key, then copy the suggested MCP configuration.
- Merge that configuration into Claude Desktop's config file (see below) -- don't delete unrelated servers unless you mean to.
- Restart Claude Desktop so it reloads MCP servers.
Config file location (platform-specific)
Claude Desktop reads MCP settings from a JSON file. Typical locations (verify against Anthropic's latest docs if a path moves):
| Platform | Common path |
|---|---|
| macOS | ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json |
| Windows | %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json |
| Linux | Often under ~/.config/Claude/ -- check Claude Desktop release notes |
Edit the file with a plain-text editor. Keep JSON valid: commas between entries, double quotes around keys, and no trailing commas.
Server URL and auth
Use the endpoint Parallect provides:
https://parallect.ai/api/mcp/mcp
Your copied block should include headers or env for the API key exactly as the Integrations dialog shows -- mismatched header names are a frequent copy-paste error.
The config file may contain secrets. Don't commit it to git or share screenshots publicly.
Verifying the connection
- Quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
- Start a new conversation and ask Claude to use a Parallect MCP tool or list available tools (wording depends on Claude's UI).
- Watch for errors in Claude's developer or logs view if something fails.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Check |
|---|---|
| Invalid JSON | Validate the file; fix commas/brackets. |
| Still old tools | Fully quit the app; ensure only one config path is in use. |
| Auth failures | Create a fresh API key; paste again; revoke the old key if exposed -- see API keys. |
| 404 on URL | Confirm the URL is exactly https://parallect.ai/api/mcp/mcp. |
Related: Cursor, OpenClaw, Integrations overview.