Connecting Clients¶

dotnet-mcp-server works with any MCP-compatible client. Choose your client below.

Global tool vs. clone & build

All examples below use "command": "dotnet-mcp-server" (global tool). If you installed via Option B (clone & build), replace it with:

"command": "dotnet",
"args": ["run", "--project", "C:\\path\\to\\dotnet-mcp-server\\src\\McpServer"]

Claude Desktop¶

Config file location:

OS	Path
Windows	`%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
macOS	`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`

Add this to the config file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop. The tools appear in the chat interface.

Docker variant:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "--rm", "-i",
        "-v", "/absolute/path/to/docker/appsettings.json:/home/app/.config/dotnet-mcp-server/appsettings.json:ro",
        "dotnet-mcp-server"
      ]
    }
  }
}

VS Code — GitHub Copilot (Built-in)¶

VS Code 1.99+ has native MCP support via GitHub Copilot agent mode. No extension required.

Step 1: Create .vscode/mcp.json in your workspace root:

{
  "servers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Step 2: Open Copilot Chat (Ctrl+Shift+I / Cmd+Shift+I).

Step 3: Switch to Agent mode via the dropdown at the top of the chat panel.

Step 4: Ask a question — the tools will be listed and callable.

To enable globally instead of per-workspace, add to your VS Code settings.json:

{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "dotnet-mcp-server": {
        "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
      }
    }
  }
}

VS Code — Continue.dev¶

Continue is a free, open-source AI coding assistant.

Step 1: Install the Continue extension from the VS Code Marketplace.

Step 2: Press Ctrl+Shift+P → Continue: Open Config to open ~/.continue/config.json.

Step 3: Add the server under mcpServers:

{
  "mcpServers": [
    {
      "name": "dotnet-mcp-server",
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  ]
}

Step 4: Reload VS Code (Ctrl+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window).

VS Code — Cline¶

Cline is a free, open-source autonomous AI coding agent.

Step 1: Install the Cline extension from the VS Code Marketplace.

Step 2: Click the Cline icon → gear icon → MCP Servers → Edit MCP Settings.

Step 3: This opens ~/Documents/Cline/cline_mcp_settings.json. Add:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Step 4: Restart Cline.

Cursor¶

Cursor is an AI-first code editor with built-in MCP support.

Option 1: Create or edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Option 2: Open Cursor Settings → MCP section → click "Add new MCP Server" and fill in the fields.

Restart Cursor. Use the tools in Composer (Agent mode).

Windsurf (Codeium)¶

Windsurf is an AI-powered editor by Codeium.

Step 1: Open Settings → MCP → click "Add Server".

Step 2: Configure:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "dotnet-mcp-server": {
      "command": "dotnet-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

Step 3: Restart Windsurf. Tools are available in Cascade (the AI chat).

Claude Code (CLI)¶

Claude Code is Anthropic's CLI tool.

claude mcp add dotnet-mcp-server dotnet-mcp-server

Claude Code auto-starts the server when needed.

ChatGPT Desktop¶

OpenAI's ChatGPT desktop app supports MCP servers (requires Plus plan).

Step 1: Open Settings → Beta Features → enable MCP Servers.

Step 2: Go to Settings → MCP Servers → "Add Server".

Step 3: Configure:

Name: dotnet-mcp-server
Command: dotnet-mcp-server
Arguments: (leave blank)

Step 4: Restart ChatGPT.