{"title":"MCP in Claude Code","slug":"claude-code","category":"mcp","summary":"Use Synapse tools from the Claude Code terminal agent — persistent memory for coding sessions.","audience":["human","llm"],"tags":["mcp","claude-code","terminal","coding"],"difficulty":"intermediate","updated":"2026-06-27","word_count":213,"read_minutes":1,"llm_context":"Claude Code config: ~/.claude/config.json (or via `claude mcp add` command)\nCommand: npx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\nEnv: SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY (required), SYNAPSE_URL (optional)\nAlternative: `claude mcp add synapse -- npx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest`\nThen: set SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY env var in your shell\nTest: in claude code, type \"recall all my memories\"\n","lang":"en","translated":true,"requested_lang":"en","content_markdown":"\n# MCP in Claude Code\n\nClaude Code is Anthropic's terminal-based coding agent. With Synapse MCP,\nClaude Code gains persistent memory across coding sessions — it remembers\nyour project context, past decisions, and codebase patterns.\n\n## Setup\n\n### Method 1: CLI Command (recommended)\n\n```bash\n# Add Synapse as an MCP server\nclaude mcp add synapse -- npx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\n\n# Set your Mind Key as env var (add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc)\nexport SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY=\"mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE\"\nexport SYNAPSE_URL=\"https://synapse.schaefer.zone\" # optional, defaults to synapse.schaefer.zone\n```\n\n### Method 2: Edit Config File\n\nEdit `~/.claude/config.json`:\n\n```json\n{\n \"mcpServers\": {\n \"synapse\": {\n \"command\": \"npx\",\n \"args\": [\"-y\", \"synapse-mcp-api@latest\"],\n \"env\": {\n \"SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\": \"mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE\",\n \"SYNAPSE_URL\": \"https://synapse.schaefer.zone\"\n }\n }\n }\n}\n```\n\n## Verify It Works\n\nStart Claude Code:\n\n```bash\nclaude\n```\n\nIn the Claude Code prompt, type:\n\n```\nrecall all my memories\n```\n\nClaude should call `memory_recall` and respond with your stored memories.\n\n## Common Patterns\n\n### Project context persistence\n\nAt the start of a coding session:\n\n```\nrecalling my memories — what projects am I working on?\n```\n\nClaude calls `memory_recall`, sees your project list, and continues work\nwhere you left off.\n\n### Codebase decisions\n\nWhen you make an architectural decision:\n\n```\nstore this: \"We chose PostgreSQL over SQLite because of concurrent write\nperformance. Decision made on 2026-06-27.\"\n```\n\nClaude calls `memory_store` with category `project`, priority `high`.\n\n### Avoiding past mistakes\n\n```\nwhat mistakes have I made with this codebase?\n```\n\nClaude searches memories with category `mistake` and reminds you of past errors.\n\n### Task tracking\n\n```\ncreate a task: \"Refactor auth module to use JWT refresh tokens\"\n```\n\nClaude calls `task_create`, and the task persists across sessions.\n\n## Tool Profiles\n\nFor coding sessions where you don't need all 119 tools:\n\n```bash\n# Set profile via env var\nexport MCP_PROFILE=\"standard\" # 25 tools, ~2500 tokens\n\n# Or in config.json\n\"env\": {\n \"SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\": \"mk_...\",\n \"MCP_PROFILE\": \"standard\"\n}\n```\n\n## Troubleshooting\n\n### MCP server not starting\n\n```bash\n# Test the MCP server manually\nnpx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\n\n# Should print:\n# [info] synapse-mcp Streamable HTTP server ready\n# [info] MCP: http://localhost:13100/mcp\n```\n\n### Mind Key not recognized\n\n```bash\n# Verify env var is set\necho $SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\n\n# Test directly\ncurl -H \"Authorization: Bearer $SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\" \\\n https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory/recall\n```\n\n### Claude Code doesn't see tools\n\n- Restart Claude Code after config changes\n- Check `claude mcp list` to verify Synapse is registered\n- See [MCP Troubleshooting](/docs/mcp/troubleshooting)\n\n## Next Steps\n\n- [Claude Desktop Setup](/docs/mcp/claude-desktop)\n- [Cursor Setup](/docs/mcp/cursor)\n- [Persistent LLM Agent Guide](/docs/guides/persistent-llm-agent)\n","content_html":"

MCP in Claude Code

\n

Claude Code is Anthropic's terminal-based coding agent. With Synapse MCP,\nClaude Code gains persistent memory across coding sessions — it remembers\nyour project context, past decisions, and codebase patterns.

\n

Setup

\n

Method 1: CLI Command (recommended)

\n
# Add Synapse as an MCP server\nclaude mcp add synapse -- npx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\n\n# Set your Mind Key as env var (add to ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc)\nexport SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY="mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE"\nexport SYNAPSE_URL="https://synapse.schaefer.zone"  # optional, defaults to synapse.schaefer.zone

Method 2: Edit Config File

\n

Edit ~/.claude/config.json:

\n
{\n  "mcpServers": {\n    "synapse": {\n      "command": "npx",\n      "args": ["-y", "synapse-mcp-api@latest"],\n      "env": {\n        "SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY": "mk_YOUR_MIND_KEY_HERE",\n        "SYNAPSE_URL": "https://synapse.schaefer.zone"\n      }\n    }\n  }\n}

Verify It Works

\n

Start Claude Code:

\n
claude

In the Claude Code prompt, type:

\n
recall all my memories

Claude should call memory_recall and respond with your stored memories.

\n

Common Patterns

\n

Project context persistence

\n

At the start of a coding session:

\n
recalling my memories — what projects am I working on?

Claude calls memory_recall, sees your project list, and continues work\nwhere you left off.

\n

Codebase decisions

\n

When you make an architectural decision:

\n
store this: "We chose PostgreSQL over SQLite because of concurrent write\nperformance. Decision made on 2026-06-27."

Claude calls memory_store with category project, priority high.

\n

Avoiding past mistakes

\n
what mistakes have I made with this codebase?

Claude searches memories with category mistake and reminds you of past errors.

\n

Task tracking

\n
create a task: "Refactor auth module to use JWT refresh tokens"

Claude calls task_create, and the task persists across sessions.

\n

Tool Profiles

\n

For coding sessions where you don't need all 119 tools:

\n
# Set profile via env var\nexport MCP_PROFILE="standard"  # 25 tools, ~2500 tokens\n\n# Or in config.json\n"env": {\n  "SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY": "mk_...",\n  "MCP_PROFILE": "standard"\n}

Troubleshooting

\n

MCP server not starting

\n
# Test the MCP server manually\nnpx -y synapse-mcp-api@latest\n\n# Should print:\n# [info] synapse-mcp Streamable HTTP server ready\n# [info]   MCP:      http://localhost:13100/mcp

Mind Key not recognized

\n
# Verify env var is set\necho $SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY\n\n# Test directly\ncurl -H "Authorization: Bearer $SYNAPSE_MIND_KEY" \\\n     https://synapse.schaefer.zone/memory/recall

Claude Code doesn't see tools

\n\n

Next Steps

\n\n","urls":{"html":"/docs/mcp/claude-code","text":"/docs/mcp/claude-code?format=text","json":"/docs/mcp/claude-code?format=json","llm":"/docs/mcp/claude-code?format=llm"},"translations_available":["en","zh","hi","es","fr","ar","pt","ru","ja","de","it","ko","nl","pl","tr","sv","vi","th","id","uk"]}