Tutorials

Connect Claude Desktop

Use Recursiv from inside the Claude Desktop app. No coding, no terminal, no GitHub account.

Once Recursiv is connected to Claude Desktop, you build and deploy real apps just by chatting with Claude. It takes about 10 minutes, and you only do it once.

You’ll need: the Claude Desktop app, a computer where you’re allowed to install software, and your Recursiv API key (below). If your work laptop blocks installs, use a personal computer.

First: get your API key

  1. Go to recursiv.io and sign in (or sign up. It’s just an email and a 6-digit code).
  2. Open Settings → API Keys.
  3. Click Create key and copy it. It starts with sk_live_. Keep it handy. You’ll paste it in Step 3.

1. Install Node

Claude Desktop needs a small, free tool called Node to run the Recursiv connector.

  1. Go to nodejs.org
  2. Click the big green LTS button
  3. Open the file it downloads and click through the installer

That’s it. You do not need to restart your computer.

2. Open Claude Desktop’s config

  1. Open the Claude Desktop app
  2. Go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config
  3. A small text file opens (claude_desktop_config.json)

3. Add Recursiv

Paste this into that file:

1{
2  "mcpServers": {
3    "recursiv": {
4      "command": "npx",
5      "args": ["-y", "@recursiv/mcp"],
6      "env": {
7        "RECURSIV_API_KEY": "PASTE_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
8      }
9    }
10  }
11}

Replace PASTE_YOUR_KEY_HERE with your sk_live_ key, then save the file.

If the file already has text in it, don’t delete it. Your "recursiv" entry goes inside the existing "mcpServers" section.

4. Fully restart Claude Desktop

Closing the window is not enough. You have to quit it completely so it picks up the new tool.

  • Windows: right-click the Claude icon in the bottom-right system tray, then Quit
  • Mac: click Claude in the top menu bar, then Quit

Then open Claude Desktop again.

5. 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

“npx is not recognized” or nothing happens. Node isn’t installed, or Claude wasn’t fully restarted. Redo Step 1, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop (Step 4). Just closing the window doesn’t count.

Can’t find Settings → Developer. Make sure you’re in the Claude Desktop app, not claude.ai in a web browser. The browser version is set up differently and these steps won’t match.

You don’t have permission to install Node. Use a personal computer where you do. Node is the only thing you install, and it’s safe and widely used.