# MCP Quickstart

> Use when user wants to quickly set up MCP servers with Hermes Agent. One-command quickstart guide for getting MCP up and running in under 5 minutes.

- Skill: `kylin-feng/mcp-quickstart` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add kylin-feng/mcp-quickstart`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/kylin-feng/mcp-quickstart/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- License: MIT
- Author: kylin-feng (https://skillmd.com/u/kylin-feng)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/kylin-feng/mcp-quickstart

---


# MCP Quickstart

## Overview

Get MCP running with Hermes Agent in under 5 minutes. This is the fast path - for deep understanding, load `mcp-master` skill.

## 1. Verify Prerequisites

```bash
# Check Python
python --version  # Need 3.10+

# Check pip mcp package (optional, for HTTP servers only)
pip install mcp
```

## 2. Add MCP Servers to Config

Edit `~/.hermes/config.yaml`:

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  # Time tool - get current time in any timezone
  time:
    command: "uvx"
    args: ["mcp-server-time"]

  # Content writer - generate multi-platform content (from mcp-skill project)
  content_writer:
    command: "python"
    args: ["C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/servers/mcp-content-writer/server.py"]
```

## 3. Restart Hermes

```bash
# CLI mode
hermes

# Or TUI mode
hermes --tui
```

## 4. Verify MCP Tools Are Available

Start a conversation and ask:
> "What tools do you have?"

You should see `mcp_time_*` and `mcp_content_writer_*` tools in the list.

## 5. Try It Out

> "Generate a Xiaohongshu post about OpenClaw"

The agent will call `mcp_content_writer_generate_article` with platform="小红书".

## 5-Minute Setup Script

```bash
# Quick setup for the mcp-skill project servers
python C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/servers/mcp-content-writer/server.py &
python C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/servers/mcp-knowledge-base/server.py &
python C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/servers/mcp-research/server.py &
echo "All MCP servers started!"
```

## Common First Issues

**"pip: command not found"**
→ Install Python from python.org, ensure "Add to PATH" is checked

**"uvx: command not found"**
→ `pip install uv` then try again

**Tools not appearing after restart**
→ Check `~/.hermes/logs/agent.log` for MCP connection errors

## Next Steps

- Load `mcp-master` skill for deep protocol knowledge
- Browse `C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/research/` for detailed docs
- Create your own MCP server using the template at `C:/Users/FengQ/mcp-skill/templates/`