How to connect Claude
Connect Claude to your Port OS devices with a remote MCP server and OAuth. This guide covers Claude on the web and in Claude Desktop (custom connectors), and Claude Code (the claude mcp add command). You need a Port OS account with at least one connected device.
Connection details
Enter this server URL:
https://api.portoperatingsystem.com/mcpThen use these settings:
| Setting | Value |
|---|---|
| Transport | Streamable HTTP |
| Authentication | OAuth |
Claude reaches a connector from Anthropic's cloud, so it needs the public server URL above. A localhost URL on your computer cannot be reached by a claude.ai or Claude Desktop connector.
Claude on the web and Claude Desktop
Custom connectors are available on Free, Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise plans; Free accounts can add one. On Team and Enterprise plans, an organization Owner adds the connector under Organization settings → Connectors, and members then open Customize → Connectors and click Connect. Claude Desktop uses the same connectors as claude.ai.
1. Open your connectors
Go to Claude → Customize → Connectors ↗. Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
2. Enter the Port OS server
Enter Port OS as the name and paste the server URL above. Click Continue.
3. Review the authentication settings
Claude detects the authentication settings from the server. Leave Authentication on Sign in now (or Sign in when needed). For OAuth client, keep the recommended choice, or choose Register automatically to use dynamic client registration. You do not need to enter a client ID, client secret or request header. Click Continue, then Add.
4. Sign in and allow access
A Port OS authorization window opens. Sign in with the Port OS account that owns your devices. Check that the requesting client is Claude, review the permissions, then click Allow. You can uncheck permissions you do not want to grant; the matching features will be unavailable.
5. Turn on Port OS in a conversation
Start a conversation. Click + at the lower left of the chat box, choose Connectors, and switch on Port OS. Ask “Use Port OS to list my devices.” Compare the names with Your Devices.
Claude Code
Add the server from your terminal:
claude mcp add --transport http portos https://api.portoperatingsystem.com/mcpBy default the server is stored for the current project (local scope). Add --scope user to use it in all of your projects, or --scope project to write it to .mcp.json so your team shares the entry.
Then sign in. Start Claude Code, run /mcp, select portos and follow the browser sign-in. You can also run claude mcp login portos from your shell. Review the permissions on the Port OS consent page and click Allow.
Check the connection with claude mcp list, or with /mcp inside Claude Code, then ask “Use Port OS to list my devices.” To remove the server, run claude mcp remove portos; this also deletes the stored sign-in.
You do not need to pass --client-id or --client-secret. Port OS supports automatic client registration.
Troubleshooting
- If the connector is added but shows Connect, click it and finish the Port OS sign-in. If the window does not open, check whether your browser blocked the pop-up.
- If no devices appear, confirm you signed in to the same Port OS account as Your Devices and that it has connected devices.
- If an operation is denied, review the permissions you granted. A connected server does not have permission to operate every device by default.
- To change a connector's details in Claude, remove it and add it again.