This directory contains comprehensive documentation for the four core Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that enhance Claude Code's capabilities.
| Server | Purpose | Key Features | Documentation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serena | Semantic code intelligence | • Multi-language support (15+) • Symbol-level navigation • Project indexing • Context-aware editing | serena.md |
| Sequential Thinking | Advanced reasoning | • Problem decomposition • Multi-step planning • Structured analysis • Decision support | sequential-thinking.md |
| Memory | Persistent context | • Cross-session memory • Project preferences • Historical context • Knowledge retention | memory.md |
| Playwright | Browser automation | • Web scraping • Automated testing • Screenshot capture • Device emulation | playwright.md |
1. Serena + Sequential Thinking
Use case: Complex refactoring projects
- Sequential Thinking breaks down the approach
- Serena navigates and modifies code intelligently
2. Memory + All Servers
Use case: Enhanced context awareness
- Memory stores project conventions
- Other servers leverage this knowledge
3. Playwright + Memory
Use case: Automated testing workflows
- Playwright executes browser automation
- Memory remembers test patterns and credentials
4. All Four Together
Use case: Full-stack development
- Serena for backend code intelligence
- Playwright for frontend testing
- Sequential Thinking for planning
- Memory for project knowledge
Before installing MCP servers, ensure the following tools are installed:
| Tool | Required By | Installation |
|---|---|---|
| Node.js & npx | Sequential Thinking, Memory, Playwright | nodejs.org |
| uv & uvx | Serena | Install uv |
| Claude Code CLI | All servers | Claude Docs |
Run the following commands to check installations:
node --version
npx --version
uv --version
uvx --version
claude --version
Note: All commands should return version numbers. If any command fails, install the missing prerequisite.
The MCP Registry is now live (launched September 2025), providing a centralized directory for discovering MCP servers.
Features:
Discovering New Servers:
claude mcp addPopular Server Categories:
New Capabilities:
.well-known URLs for automatic discoveryMCP is now maintained by the Agentic AI Foundation (Linux Foundation), ensuring:
MCP servers can be installed in two scopes:
-s user): Available across all projects (recommended for everyday use)-s local): Project-specific installations (useful for testing)Install servers globally to use them across all your projects:
# Serena - Semantic code intelligence
claude mcp add serena -s user -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
# Sequential Thinking - Step-by-step reasoning
claude mcp add sequential-thinking -s user -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking
# Memory - Persistent context across sessions
claude mcp add memory -s user -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
# Playwright - Browser automation
claude mcp add playwright -s user -- npx -y @playwright/mcp@latest
Install servers for a specific project only:
# Serena
claude mcp add serena -s local -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
# Sequential Thinking
claude mcp add sequential-thinking -s local -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking
# Memory
claude mcp add memory -s local -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
# Playwright
claude mcp add playwright -s local -- npx -y @playwright/mcp@latest
After installing MCP servers, verify they are connected:
claude mcp list
Expected output:
Checking MCP server health...
sequential-thinking: ✓ Connected
serena: ✓ Connected
memory: ✓ Connected
playwright: ✓ Connected
Tip: If a server shows as disconnected, try removing and reinstalling it, or see the Troubleshooting section.
Having issues with MCP server installation or connection? This section covers common problems and their solutions.
Step 1: Verify Prerequisites
node --version
npx --version
uv --version
uvx --version
All commands should return version numbers. Install any missing prerequisites.
Step 2: Remove and Reinstall Server
claude mcp remove <server-name> -s user
claude mcp add <server-name> -s user -- <command>
Step 3: Check Configuration File
Check ~/.claude.json (macOS/Linux) or %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json (Windows) for syntax errors.
Step 4: Restart Claude Code
claude
| Error | Solution |
|---|---|
npx not found | Install Node.js from nodejs.org |
uvx not found | Install uv from docs.astral.sh |
claude not found | Install Claude Code CLI from docs.claude.com |
Verify uv Installation
uv --version
uvx --version
Test Serena Directly
uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena --help
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Directory permission errors | Check read/write permissions, especially on Windows/WSL |
| Project path incorrect | Verify --project path is absolute and exists |
| Indexing fails | Ensure project contains valid source files |
Reinstall Serena
claude mcp remove serena -s user
claude mcp add serena -s user -- uvx --from git+https://github.com/oraios/serena serena start-mcp-server
Verify Node.js
node --version
npx --version
Test Playwright Directly
npx @playwright/mcp@latest --help
Install Missing Browser Binaries
npx playwright install chromium
npx playwright install firefox
npx playwright install webkit
Common Issues
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Port conflicts | Check if another process is using the port |
| Browser not visible | Remove --headless flag or check display settings |
| Chrome not installed (Windows) | Install Google Chrome manually |
| Timeout errors | Increase timeout in configuration or check network |
Reinstall Playwright
claude mcp remove playwright -s user
claude mcp add playwright -s user -- npx -y @playwright/mcp@latest
Both servers require Node.js and npx. If they fail to connect:
Verify Prerequisites
node --version
npx --version
Test Server Directly
# Sequential Thinking
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking --help
# Memory
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory --help
Reinstall Server
# Sequential Thinking
claude mcp remove sequential-thinking -s user
claude mcp add sequential-thinking -s user -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking
# Memory
claude mcp remove memory -s user
claude mcp add memory -s user -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
If a server repeatedly fails, perform a complete reinstall:
# Remove from both scopes
claude mcp remove <server-name> -s local
claude mcp remove <server-name> -s user
# Reinstall globally
claude mcp add <server-name> -s user -- <command>
After troubleshooting, always verify server status:
claude mcp list
Expected output:
Checking MCP server health...
sequential-thinking: ✓ Connected
serena: ✓ Connected
memory: ✓ Connected
playwright: ✓ Connected
~/.claude/logs/ for detailed error messages@latest for npm packages to get the newest versionsIf problems persist: