> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.recursiv.io/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://docs.recursiv.io/_mcp/server.

# Connect Claude Desktop

Once Recursiv is connected to Claude Desktop, you build and deploy real apps just by chatting with Claude. Connecting takes about two minutes — no terminal, no coding — and you only do it once.

> **You'll need:** the Claude Desktop app and a Recursiv account (just an email and a 6-digit code — sign up at [recursiv.io](https://recursiv.io)).

## 1. Add Recursiv as a connector

1. Open **Claude Desktop** and go to **Settings → Connectors**.
2. Click **Add custom connector**.
3. Paste this address and confirm:

   ```text
   https://api.recursiv.io/mcp
   ```

## 2. Sign in

Claude opens a Recursiv sign-in in your browser. Log in (email + a 6-digit code, or Google), then click **Allow**.

That's the whole setup. No key to copy, nothing to install, no config file to edit.

## 3. Check that it worked

Start a new chat and type:

> *"List my Recursiv projects."*

If a small box pops up asking permission to use a Recursiv tool, click **Allow**. If Claude answers with your account info, you're connected.

## Now build something

Just describe what you want, in plain English:

* *"Build me an app where my team can post updates and comment on them."*
* *"Add a sign-in screen."*
* *"Deploy it and give me the link."*

Recursiv creates the project, database, and code for you, hosts it, and hands back a public link. No GitHub account, no terminal, no code required.

## If something goes wrong

**The connector won't add, or sign-in fails.**
Make sure you're in the **Claude Desktop app**, not claude.ai in a web browser, and that you're on a recent version (custom connectors are a newer feature). Sign in at [recursiv.io](https://recursiv.io) once in your browser first, then try adding the connector again.

**Claude says it can't see any Recursiv tools.**
Fully quit Claude Desktop (not just close the window) and reopen it, then start a new chat.

## Prefer to set it up manually?

If your client doesn't support custom connectors, or you want the [local dev tunnel](/guides/ai-tools/mcp-claude-cursor#local-dev-tunnel) so platform agents can reach a dev server on your machine, you can run the connector locally with an API key instead.

1. Create a key at [recursiv.io/account/api-keys](https://recursiv.io/account/api-keys) (it starts with `sk_live_`).

2. Install [Node.js](https://nodejs.org) (the LTS button).

3. In Claude Desktop, go to **Settings → Developer → Edit Config** and add:

   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "recursiv": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": ["-y", "@recursiv/mcp"],
         "env": { "RECURSIV_API_KEY": "PASTE_YOUR_KEY_HERE" }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

4. Save, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.

See [MCP](/guides/ai-tools/mcp-claude-cursor) for the full local-connector reference.