MCP Setup for Solopreneurs: No-Code Guide

You don't need to be technical to use MCP. If you can install an app and edit a text file, you can do this. This guide walks you through setup step-by-step. In 15-30 minutes, you'll have Claude connected to your tools and running your first workflow.

What You'll Achieve

The Goal

Claude Desktop installed and running
Your computer's Documents folder connected
Your first workflow tested and working
A foundation to add Gmail/Drive later

Time Investment

First read-through: 5 mins
Actual setup: 15-30 mins
First workflow test: 5 mins

What You'll Need

A computer (Mac or Windows)
A Claude account (free tier works - sign up at claude.ai)
Access to your local Documents folder

Note: We'll start by connecting your local files. This is the safest, "no-code" way to learn. Once you're comfortable, you can add Gmail and Google Drive using the same method.

Step 1: Install Claude Desktop

MCP only works with Claude Desktop—not the website. The desktop app can connect to tools on your computer; the website cannot.

For Mac Users

Go to claude.ai/download
Click "Download for Mac"
Open the downloaded file
Drag Claude to your Applications folder
Open Claude from Applications
Sign in with your Claude account

For Windows Users

Go to claude.ai/download
Click "Download for Windows"
Run the installer
Follow the prompts (default settings are fine)
Open Claude from your Start menu
Sign in with your Claude account

Verification: You should see the familiar Claude chat interface, but now it's in its own dedicated app window on your computer.

Step 2: Find Your Config File

Claude stores its settings in a configuration file on your computer. This hidden file is where the magic happens. We need to open it.

Mac

Open Terminal (Command+Space, type "Terminal") and paste this command exactly, then press Enter:

open ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

This will open the file in your default text editor (like TextEdit). If it says file not found, creating it is a bit more technical, but usually Claude creates a blank one for you upon first launch.

Windows

Press Windows + R on your keyboard, paste this path, and press Enter:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

It should open in Notepad. If it asks to create the file, say Yes.

Step 3: Connect Your Files

You should now have a text file open. It might be empty, or contain just {}. We are going to paste a configuration that tells Claude: "Hey, use the 'filesystem' tool to read files in the paths I specify."

Copy the code block below and paste it into your file, replacing everything that's currently there.

claude_desktop_config.jsonCOPY THIS

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem",
        "/Users/username/Documents",
        "/Users/username/Desktop"
      ]
    }
  }
}

IMPORTANT EDIT NEEDED: Look at the paths in the code above (/Users/username/Documents). You MUST change these to match your actual computer's username and folder paths.

Windows Example: "C:\\Users\\YourName\\Documents" (Note the double backslashes!)

Step 4: Restart and Verify

Save the file.
Fully quit Claude Desktop. (On Mac, click Claude in menu bar → Quit. On Windows, verify it's not in the system tray).
Open Claude Desktop again.
Look for the plug icon
near the chat input box.

If the plug icon has a green dot or simply appears without error, congratulations! You just set up your first MCP server.

Your First Workflow

Now for the fun part. Let's make Claude do real work.

Try this prompt:

"Read the files in my Documents folder and give me a summary of the 3 most recently modified documents."

What happens: Claude will ask for permission to access your Documents folder. Click "Allow". It will then scan the files, read the metadata, and generate a summary—without you uploading anything.

Troubleshooting

Plug icon is missing or red▼

This usually means a syntax error in your JSON file. Ensure you kept all the curly braces { } and commas matching the example exactly. Also check if you entered your path correctly with double backslashes for Windows.

"Command not found: npx"▼

Ah, this means your computer doesn't have Node.js installed. Creating the 'filesystem' server uses npx, which requires Node. You can download and install the "LTS" version of Node.js from nodejs.org, then restart Claude.

What's Next?

You've mastered the basics! Now you can expand.

Get the Quick Start Kit

Includes pre-made configurations for connecting Gmail, Google Drive, and more (so you don't have to write code).

Download Kit

See Solopreneur Workflows

Discover what else you can automate now that you're connected.

Explore Use Cases