How to Add an MCP Server to Cursor

Add a remote server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "context7": {
      "url": "https://mcp.context7.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

If the server uses an API key, add a headers object next to url:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "my-server": {
      "url": "https://api.example.com/mcp",
      "headers": { "API_KEY": "value" }
    }
  }
}

Add a local server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "playwright": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@playwright/mcp@latest"]
    }
  }
}

Add an env object if the server needs a key. Keep secrets out of any file you commit to git.

How does sign-in work?

For servers that use OAuth, Cursor reads the server's details and takes you through a browser sign-in, then renews the token for you. If your provider needs a fixed client ID, add an auth object to the server entry. See Cursor's MCP docs.

Which file should I use?

• .cursor/mcp.json: tools for one project, which you can share with your team.
• ~/.cursor/mcp.json: personal tools you want everywhere.

Good servers to start with

See our picks for coding and browser automation. Every listing includes its own config snippet.

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