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Remote MCP servers extend AI applications’ capabilities beyond your local environment, providing access to internet-hosted tools, services, and data sources. By connecting to remote MCP servers, you transform AI assistants from helpful tools into informed teammates capable of handling complex, multi-step projects with real-time access to external resources. Many clients now support remote MCP servers, enabling a wide range of integration possibilities. This guide demonstrates how to connect to remote MCP servers using Claude as an example, one of the many clients that support MCP. While we focus on Claude’s implementation through Custom Connectors, the concepts apply broadly to other MCP-compatible clients.

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Understanding Remote MCP Servers

Remote MCP servers function similarly to local MCP servers but are hosted on the internet rather than your local machine. They expose tools, prompts, and resources that Claude can use to perform tasks on your behalf. These servers can integrate with various services such as project management tools, documentation systems, code repositories, and any other API-enabled service. The key advantage of remote MCP servers is their accessibility. Unlike local servers that require installation and configuration on each device, remote servers are available from any MCP client with an internet connection. This makes them ideal for web-based AI applications, integrations that emphasize ease of use, and services that require server-side processing or authentication.

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What are Custom Connectors?

Custom Connectors serve as the bridge between Claude and remote MCP servers. They allow you to connect Claude directly to the tools and data sources that matter most to your workflows, enabling Claude to operate within your favorite software and draw insights from the complete context of your external tools. With Custom Connectors, you can:

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Connecting to a Remote MCP Server

The process of connecting Claude to a remote MCP server involves adding a Custom Connector through the Claude interface. This establishes a secure connection between Claude and your chosen remote server.
1

Navigate to Connector Settings

Open Claude Desktop or Claude in your browser, then navigate to the settings page:
  • Desktop: Either use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Comma or click the top-left menu icon , hover over “File”, and select “Settings”
  • Browser: Either use the keyboard shortcut ⌘⇧, (macOS) or click on your profile icon, and select “Settings” from the menu
Once you’re in the settings page, click “Connectors” in the sidebar. This displays your currently configured connectors and provides options for adding new ones.
2

Add a Custom Connector

In the Connectors section, click the “Add” button at the top-right of the window, then select “Add custom connector” from the dropdown. This begins the connection process. To follow along, copy/paste the URL below:
Example Remote Server
Add custom connector button in Claude settings
A dialog will appear prompting you to enter the remote MCP server URL. This URL should be provided by the server developer or administrator. Enter the complete URL, ensuring it includes the proper protocol (https://) and any necessary path components.
Dialog for entering remote MCP server URL
After entering the URL, click “Add” to proceed with the connection.
3

Complete Authentication

Most remote MCP servers require authentication to ensure secure access to their resources. The authentication process varies depending on the server implementation but commonly involves OAuth, API keys, or username/password combinations.