MCP Setup

MCP Setup

Configure Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to extend Codex's capabilities with external tools like web search, file system access, and GitHub integration.

Overview

MCP servers provide additional tools that Codex agents can use. This skill helps you configure popular MCP servers using the claude mcp add command-line interface.

Step 1: Show Available MCP Servers

Present the user with available MCP server options using AskUserQuestion:

Question: "Which MCP server would you like to configure?"

Options:

1. Context7 - Documentation and code context from popular libraries
2. Exa Web Search - Enhanced web search (replaces built-in websearch)
3. Filesystem - Extended file system access with additional capabilities
4. GitHub - GitHub API integration for issues, PRs, and repository management
5. All of the above - Configure all recommended MCP servers
6. Custom - Add a custom MCP server

Step 2: Gather Required Information

For Context7:

No API key required. Ready to use immediately.

For Exa Web Search:

Ask for API key:

Do you have an Exa API key?
- Get one at: https://exa.ai
- Enter your API key, or type 'skip' to configure later

For Filesystem:

Ask for allowed directories:

Which directories should the filesystem MCP have access to?
Default: Current working directory
Enter comma-separated paths, or press Enter for default

For GitHub:

Ask for token:

Do you have a GitHub Personal Access Token?
- Create one at: https://github.com/settings/tokens
- Recommended scopes: repo, read:org
- Enter your token, or type 'skip' to configure later

Step 3: Add MCP Servers Using CLI

Use the claude mcp add command to configure each MCP server. The CLI automatically handles settings.json updates and merging.

Context7 Configuration:

claude mcp add context7 -- npx -y @upstash/context7-mcp

Exa Web Search Configuration:

claude mcp add -e EXA_API_KEY=<user-provided-key> exa -- npx -y exa-mcp-server

Filesystem Configuration:

claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem <allowed-directories>

GitHub Configuration:

Option 1: Docker (local)

claude mcp add -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<user-provided-token> github -- docker run -i --rm -e GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN ghcr.io/github/github-mcp-server

Option 2: HTTP (remote)

claude mcp add --transport http github https://api.githubcopilot.com/mcp/

Note: Docker option requires Docker installed. HTTP option is simpler but may have different capabilities.

Step 4: Verify Installation

After configuration, verify the MCP servers are properly set up:

# List configured MCP servers
claude mcp list

This will display all configured MCP servers and their status.

Step 5: Show Completion Message

MCP Server Configuration Complete!

CONFIGURED SERVERS:
[List the servers that were configured]

NEXT STEPS:
1. Restart Codex for changes to take effect
2. The configured MCP tools will be available to all agents
3. Run `claude mcp list` to verify configuration

USAGE TIPS:
- Context7: Ask about library documentation (e.g., "How do I use React hooks?")
- Exa: Use for web searches (e.g., "Search the web for latest TypeScript features")
- Filesystem: Extended file operations beyond the working directory
- GitHub: Interact with GitHub repos, issues, and PRs

TROUBLESHOOTING:
- If MCP servers don't appear, run `claude mcp list` to check status
- Ensure you have Node.js 18+ installed for npx-based servers
- For GitHub Docker option, ensure Docker is installed and running
- Run /oh-my-codex:doctor to diagnose issues

MANAGING MCP SERVERS:
- Add more servers: /oh-my-codex:mcp-setup or `claude mcp add ...`
- List servers: `claude mcp list`
- Remove a server: `claude mcp remove <server-name>`

Custom MCP Server

If user selects "Custom":

Ask for:

1. Server name (identifier)
2. Transport type: stdio (default) or http
3. For stdio: Command and arguments (e.g., npx my-mcp-server)
4. For http: URL (e.g., https://example.com/mcp)
5. Environment variables (optional, key=value pairs)
6. HTTP headers (optional, for http transport only)

Then construct and run the appropriate claude mcp add command:

For stdio servers:

# Without environment variables
claude mcp add <server-name> -- <command> [args...]

# With environment variables
claude mcp add -e KEY1=value1 -e KEY2=value2 <server-name> -- <command> [args...]

For HTTP servers:

# Basic HTTP server
claude mcp add --transport http <server-name> <url>

# HTTP server with headers
claude mcp add --transport http --header "Authorization: Bearer <token>" <server-name> <url>

Common Issues

MCP Server Not Loading

• Ensure Node.js 18+ is installed
• Check that npx is available in PATH
• Run claude mcp list to verify server status
• Check server logs for errors

API Key Issues

• Exa: Verify key at https://dashboard.exa.ai
• GitHub: Ensure token has required scopes (repo, read:org)
• Re-run claude mcp add with correct credentials if needed

Agents Still Using Built-in Tools

• Restart Codex after configuration
• The built-in websearch will be deprioritized when exa is configured
• Run claude mcp list to confirm servers are active

Removing or Updating a Server

• Remove: claude mcp remove <server-name>
• Update: Remove the old server, then add it again with new configuration

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