Top 10 Must-Have Claude Code MCP Recommendations: Tools That Double Your AI Programming Assistant’s Capabilities

Top 10 Must-Install Claude Code MCP Servers

Based on usage frequency and practical value, here are the 10 most worthwhile MCP servers, along with their installation commands and use cases.

1. GitHub MCP – Code Repository Management

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

Key Features:

Create/search/manage issues and PRs directly
Clone repositories and switch branches
View commit history and diff comparisons
Automate code reviews

Usage Scenario:
When you ask Claude Code "Help me create a new feature branch and submit a PR," it can complete the entire Git workflow automatically without manual terminal operations.

Configuration Tips:

Requires GitHub Personal Access Token (PAT)
Recommended permissions: repo, workflow, read:org
Add to ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

2. Sequential Thinking – Enhanced Reasoning

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking

Key Features:

Enable Claude's step-by-step thinking mode
Display detailed reasoning processes
Reduce errors in complex logic
Transparent problem-solving approach

Usage Scenario:
When debugging complex algorithm problems, it'll show its complete thought process—from problem analysis to solution attempts to final answers.

Why It's Recommended:
This isn't actually an "external service" but a built-in thinking enhancement mode. After installation, Claude Code's reasoning ability on complex problems improves significantly.

3. Context7 – Real-time Development Documentation

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @context7/mcp-server

Key Features:

Access real-time documentation for 50+ frameworks/libraries
Automatically retrieve the latest API reference
Support for React, Vue, Next.js, FastAPI, etc.
Reduce hallucination problems with obsolete documentation

Usage Scenario:
When you ask "How do I use the latest React Server Components?", it fetches the latest official documentation instead of relying on outdated training data.

Configuration Example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "context7": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@context7/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

4. Playwright MCP – Browser Automation Testing

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @executeautomation/playwright-mcp-server

Key Features:

Automatically write and run E2E tests
Web scraping and data extraction
Page screenshot and PDF generation
Simulate user interactions

Usage Scenario:
Tell Claude "Help me write a test to verify the login process," and it'll automatically generate Playwright test code and run it.

Prerequisites:

Node.js 18+
Chromium browser (auto-installed by Playwright)

5. PostgreSQL MCP – Direct Database Access

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres

Key Features:

Execute SQL queries directly
Database schema analysis
Generate migration scripts
Data validation and cleanup

Usage Scenario:
"Help me find all inactive users in the database and export them as CSV" – it can complete query, filtering, and export in one go.

Security Note:

It's recommended to use read-only database accounts
Avoid running on production databases
Configure connection string:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
      "env": {
        "POSTGRES_CONNECTION_STRING": "postgresql://user:password@localhost:5432/dbname"
      }
    }
  }
}

6. Supabase MCP – Full-Stack BaaS Operations

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @supabase/mcp

Key Features:

Manage Supabase projects (database, Auth, Storage)
Execute real-time queries
Configure Row Level Security (RLS)
Database migration management

Usage Scenario:
When building full-stack apps, Claude can directly help you create database tables, configure authentication, and upload files.

Prerequisites:

Supabase account and project
API Key and Project URL

7. Docker MCP – Container Management

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @ckreiling/mcp-server-docker

Key Features:

List/start/stop containers
View container logs
Execute commands in containers
Automatic Dockerfile generation

Usage Scenario:
"Help me check why the Nginx container won't start" – it can automatically view logs, diagnose issues, and propose solutions.

Configuration Example:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "docker": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@ckreiling/mcp-server-docker"]
    }
  }
}

8. AWS MCP – Cloud Resource Management

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @modelcontextprotocol/server-aws

Key Features:

Manage S3 buckets, EC2 instances, Lambda functions
View CloudWatch logs
Automated deployment scripts
Cost analysis reports

Usage Scenario:
"Help me create an S3 bucket and configure static website hosting" – it can complete AWS CLI operations without your manual intervention.

Security Configuration:

Uses AWS IAM credentials
It's recommended to create least-privilege IAM users
Never hardcode Access Keys in code

9. Sentry MCP – Error Tracking & Monitoring

Installation Command:

claude mcp add @modelcontextprotocol/server-sentry

Key Features:

Retrieve error logs from Sentry projects
Analyze error stack traces
Suggest fix solutions
Create issues automatically

Usage Scenario:
"Analyze the errors from the last 24 hours" – it retrieves Sentry data, groups similar errors, and proposes fixes.

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sentry": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sentry"],
      "env": {
        "SENTRY_AUTH_TOKEN": "your_token_here",
        "SENTRY_ORG": "your_org"
      }
    }
  }
}

10. Linear MCP – Project Management Integration

Installation Command:

claude mcp add mcp-server-linear

Key Features:

Create/update Linear issues
Synchronize project progress
Automatically generate development tasks
Associate issues with code

Usage Scenario:
After completing a feature, Claude can automatically update the related Linear issue status and add implementation notes.

Configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-server-linear"],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

MCP Installation & Configuration Guide

Installation Methods

Method 1: One-Click Installation (Recommended)

# Claude Code built-in command
claude mcp add <package-name>

Method 2: Manual Configuration
Edit ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "server-name": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "package-name"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Configuration File Locations

OS	Config File Path
macOS	`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude.json`
Windows	`%APPDATA%\Claude\claude.json`
Linux	`~/.config/Claude/claude.json`

Viewing Installed MCPs

# List all installed MCP servers
claude mcp list

# Check specific MCP status
claude mcp status <server-name>

Uninstalling MCPs

# Remove specified MCP server
claude mcp remove <server-name>

# Or manually delete from config file
# Then restart Claude Code

Usage Tips & Best Practices

1. Don't Install Too Many MCPs

Recommended Configuration:

Daily use: 2-3 core MCPs (like GitHub + Sequential Thinking)
Project-specific: Add on demand (database projects + PostgreSQL MCP)
Periodic cleanup: Remove unused servers

Reason: Each MCP consumes startup time and memory. Too many will slow down Claude Code.

2. Environment Variables Security Management

Don't:

{
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "sk-1234567890abcdef"  // ❌ Don't hardcode
  }
}

Do:

{
  "env": {
    "API_KEY": "${MY_SERVICE_API_KEY}"  // ✅ Use environment variables
  }
}

Then in ~/.zshrc or ~/.bashrc:

export MY_SERVICE_API_KEY="sk-1234567890abcdef"

3. Project-Level Configuration

For specific projects needing particular MCPs, create .claude/mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
      "env": {
        "POSTGRES_CONNECTION_STRING": "${DATABASE_URL}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Benefit: Different projects use different MCPs without affecting global configuration.

4. Troubleshooting MCP Connection Issues

Symptom: Claude Code shows "MCP server not responding"

Solutions:

Check if Node.js version ≥ 18

Manually run MCP command to test:

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

View Claude Code logs:

tail -f ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp.log  # macOS

Restart Claude Code

5. MCP Performance Optimization

Tips:

Use lazy mode for on-demand loading:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "heavy-server": {
      "command": "...",
      "lazy": true  // Only loads when needed
    }
  }
}

Regularly update MCP packages:
```
claude mcp update --all
```

MCP Selection Strategy

Your Need	Recommended MCP Combo	Use Case
Full-Stack Development	GitHub + Context7 + PostgreSQL	Code management + doc lookup + database operations
Frontend Focus	Sequential Thinking + Playwright + Sentry	Complex logic + automated testing + error tracking
Backend Focus	GitHub + Docker + AWS	Code management + containerization + cloud deployment
Data Analysis	PostgreSQL + Supabase	Database query + real-time data processing
Project Management	GitHub + Linear + Sentry	Issue tracking + project collaboration + error monitoring

Summary

The top 10 MCP servers, ranked by priority:

Sequential Thinking – Foundational thinking enhancement, everyone should install
GitHub MCP – Essential for code management
Context7 – Real-time documentation, reduce hallucinations
Playwright MCP – Automated testing powerhouse
PostgreSQL MCP – Direct database access
Supabase MCP – Full-stack BaaS one-stop solution
Docker MCP – Streamline container management
AWS MCP – Cloud resource operations
Sentry MCP – Error tracking expert
Linear MCP – Project management assistant

Beginner's Recommended First Three:

Sequential Thinking (thinking enhancement)
GitHub (code management)
Context7 (documentation lookup)

Configuration Checklist:

✅ Secure environment variables
✅ Configure project-specific MCPs as needed
✅ Regularly update MCP packages
✅ Don't install too many at once

Claude Code + MCP is like equipping an AI assistant with a Swiss Army knife—every tool has its place, but choosing the right ones is key. Start with 2-3 core MCPs, then gradually add more based on your actual needs, and you'll discover the true power of AI-assisted programming.

Recommended for AI API Services: If you need stable and reliable AI large model API relay services, try APIYI (apiyii.com) – affordable pricing with free trials available, perfect for developers integrating Claude Code or other AI tools.

Ten Essential MCP Servers

1. GitHub MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Direct interaction with GitHub repositories, PRs, Issues, and CI/CD workflows

This is the most widely used MCP server—practically a must-have for developers. Once installed, you can have Claude:

Create and review Pull Requests
Manage Issues and discussions
Monitor GitHub Actions status
Search code and commit history

Installation command:

claude mcp add github --scope user -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github

Environment variables: Requires GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN

Best for: Open source maintenance, team collaboration, automated code reviews

2. Sequential Thinking ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Structured thinking server that helps Claude solve complex problems step-by-step

This server fundamentally changes how Claude Code handles complex problems. It introduces a reflective thinking process that mimics human cognition, enabling Claude to:

Break down problems methodically
Course-correct during reasoning
Maintain context in long reasoning chains

Installation command:

claude mcp add sequential-thinking -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking

Best for: Architecture design, complex bug debugging, large feature planning

3. Filesystem MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Safe local file operations—read, write, edit, and search directories

This is an official foundational server providing fine-grained permission control, supporting complex codebase refactoring workflows.

Installation command:

claude mcp add filesystem -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/allowed/directory

Best for: Local code operations, batch file processing, project migrations

4. Context7 MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Real-time access to the latest development documentation and API references

Solves the pain point of outdated AI knowledge bases. Context7 automatically fetches current version documentation, ensuring Claude provides up-to-date code examples and API usage.

Installation command:

claude mcp add context7 -- npx -y @context7/mcp

Best for: Teams using rapidly evolving frameworks like React, Next.js, Vue

5. Playwright MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Browser automation supporting end-to-end testing and web data extraction

Playwright MCP uses Accessibility Snapshots to understand web page structure, enabling precise operations without visual analysis.

Installation command:

claude mcp add playwright -- npx -y @playwright/mcp@latest

Best for: E2E test writing, web scraping, frontend automation

6. Brave Search MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Privacy-first web search supporting research and content citations

Lets Claude search for the latest information, cite sources, and summarize content without compromising privacy.

Installation command:

claude mcp add brave-search -- npx -y @anthropic/mcp-server-brave-search

Environment variables: Requires BRAVE_API_KEY

Best for: Technical research, documentation citations, competitive analysis

7. PostgreSQL MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Direct interaction with PostgreSQL databases

Enables Claude to query databases, analyze data structures, generate SQL statements, and optimize query performance.

Installation command:

claude mcp add postgres -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres postgresql://user:pass@localhost/db

Best for: Data analysis, database tuning, backend development

8. Docker MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Function: Build, run, and inspect containers—manage Docker directly through AI commands

Perfect for debugging services, generating Dockerfiles, and managing reproducible development environments.

Installation command:

claude mcp add docker -- npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-docker

Best for: Containerized development, DevOps workflows, environment debugging

9. Sentry MCP ⭐⭐⭐

Function: Error tracking and performance monitoring integration

Lets Claude analyze error reports in Sentry and immediately suggest fixes.

Installation method: SSE remote server, requires Sentry API token

Best for: Production debugging, error analysis, performance optimization

10. Notion MCP ⭐⭐⭐

Function: Knowledge base integration supporting page and database operations

Enables Claude to read and update documents in Notion, linking knowledge management with code development.

Installation method: Official implementation, requires Notion API key

Best for: Document management, project records, knowledge base maintenance

MCP Server Category Quick Reference

Category	MCP Servers	Core Value
Version Control	GitHub, GitLab	PR management, automated code reviews
Cognitive Enhancement	Sequential Thinking	Structured reasoning for complex problems
File Operations	Filesystem	Safe local file operations
Documentation	Context7, Brave Search	Real-time docs and search capabilities
Browser Automation	Playwright, Puppeteer	E2E testing, web scraping
Database	PostgreSQL, Supabase	Data querying and analysis
Containerization	Docker	Container management, environment debugging
Monitoring	Sentry, PostHog	Error tracking, product analytics
Productivity	Notion, Linear, Figma	Knowledge base, task management, design

MCP Basic Configuration Guide

Core Commands

# Add MCP server
claude mcp add [name] --scope user -- [command]

# View installed MCPs
claude mcp list

# Remove MCP server
claude mcp remove [name]

# Test MCP server
claude mcp get [name]

Configuration File Locations

System	Configuration File Path
macOS	`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
Windows	`%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
Universal	`~/.claude.json` (recommended)

Configuration Example

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "your_token_here"
      }
    },
    "sequential-thinking": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sequential-thinking"]
    }
  }
}

Scope Explanation

Scope	Description	Use Case
local	Available only in current project	Project-specific tools
user	Available across all projects, private	Personal common tools
project	Project-level config, shareable	Team collaboration tools

Configuration Tips

Node.js prerequisite: Most MCPs use npx, so make sure you've got Node.js installed
Restart to apply: You'll need to restart Claude Code after modifying the config
Windows special handling: Local npx commands might need the cmd /c prefix
Timeout adjustment: Use MCP_TIMEOUT=10000 to adjust startup timeout

Tip: Through APIYI apiyi.com, you can get API access to various AI models. When combined with MCP, it enables more flexible AI workflows.

MCP Installation Best Practices

Recommended Installation Combinations

Frontend Developers:

Context7 (latest framework docs)
Playwright (E2E testing)
GitHub (version control)

Backend Developers:

PostgreSQL (database operations)
Docker (container management)
GitHub (version control)

Full-Stack Developers:

Sequential Thinking (complex problems)
GitHub (version control)
Context7 (real-time docs)

Things to Keep in Mind

Don't go overboard: 2-3 core MCPs are enough – too many will slow down startup
Check dependencies: Make sure Node.js, Docker, and other dependencies are properly installed
Protect credentials: Don't commit API Keys and Tokens to your code repository
Regular updates: The MCP ecosystem's evolving fast, so keep things updated to get new features

FAQ

Q1: What’s the difference between MCP and Claude Code’s built-in features?

Claude Code's built-in features focus on code editing and terminal operations. MCP extends Claude's ability to interact with external systems—databases, cloud services, third-party tools, and more. Think of it this way: built-in features are your "core capabilities," while MCP is your "extension plugins."

Q2: I installed MCP but Claude isn’t responding. What should I do?

Common solutions:

Restart Claude Code to apply the configuration
Use claude mcp list to verify successful installation
Check if environment variables (like API tokens) are set correctly
Look for missing dependencies (such as Node.js)
Try increasing the startup timeout with MCP_TIMEOUT=10000

Q3: What should users in China be aware of when using MCP?

Some MCP servers rely on overseas services (like GitHub API, Brave Search), which may have accessibility issues. Recommendations:

Use intermediary services like APIYI apiyi.com for stable API access
Prioritize locally-running MCPs (like Filesystem, Sequential Thinking)
For network-dependent MCPs, ensure a stable network environment

Summary

The core value of Claude Code MCP:

Capability Extension: Evolves Claude from a code editor into a full-featured development platform
Workflow Integration: Operate GitHub, databases, cloud services, and multiple tools from a single interface
Efficiency Multiplier: Automates repetitive tasks so you can focus on core development

Top 10 Must-Have MCPs at a Glance:

Version Control: GitHub
Enhanced Thinking: Sequential Thinking
File Operations: Filesystem
Live Documentation: Context7
Web Search: Brave Search
Browser Automation: Playwright
Database: PostgreSQL
Container Management: Docker
Error Monitoring: Sentry
Knowledge Base: Notion

We recommend starting with the 2-3 scenarios you use most frequently, then gradually expanding. Through APIYI apiyi.com, you can access various AI model APIs and combine them with MCP to build even more powerful development workflows.

Reference Materials

⚠️ Link Format Note: All external links use the Resource Name: domain.com format for easy copying but aren't clickable, which helps preserve SEO value.

MCP Official Documentation: Model Context Protocol Specification
- Link: modelcontextprotocol.io
- Description: Anthropic's official MCP protocol documentation and specifications
Official MCP Server Repository: GitHub Reference Implementations
- Link: github.com/modelcontextprotocol/servers
- Description: Collection of officially maintained MCP server reference implementations
Awesome MCP Servers: Community Curated List
- Link: github.com/wong2/awesome-mcp-servers
- Description: Community-maintained curated list of MCP servers
Claude Code MCP Documentation: Official Configuration Guide
- Link: code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp
- Description: Claude Code's official MCP configuration and usage documentation

Author: Technical Team
Tech Discussion: Feel free to discuss in the comments. For more resources, visit the APIYI apiyi.com tech community

Top 10 Must-Install Claude Code MCP Servers

1. GitHub MCP – Code Repository Management

2. Sequential Thinking – Enhanced Reasoning

3. Context7 – Real-time Development Documentation

4. Playwright MCP – Browser Automation Testing

5. PostgreSQL MCP – Direct Database Access

6. Supabase MCP – Full-Stack BaaS Operations

7. Docker MCP – Container Management

8. AWS MCP – Cloud Resource Management

9. Sentry MCP – Error Tracking & Monitoring

10. Linear MCP – Project Management Integration

MCP Installation & Configuration Guide

Installation Methods

Configuration File Locations

Viewing Installed MCPs

Uninstalling MCPs

Usage Tips & Best Practices

1. Don't Install Too Many MCPs

2. Environment Variables Security Management

3. Project-Level Configuration

4. Troubleshooting MCP Connection Issues

5. MCP Performance Optimization

MCP Selection Strategy

Summary

Ten Essential MCP Servers

1. GitHub MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

2. Sequential Thinking ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

3. Filesystem MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4. Context7 MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

5. Playwright MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐

6. Brave Search MCP ⭐⭐⭐⭐

7. PostgreSQL MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐

8. Docker MCP Server ⭐⭐⭐⭐

9. Sentry MCP ⭐⭐⭐

10. Notion MCP ⭐⭐⭐

MCP Server Category Quick Reference

MCP Basic Configuration Guide

Core Commands

Configuration File Locations

Configuration Example

Scope Explanation

Configuration Tips

MCP Installation Best Practices

Recommended Installation Combinations

Things to Keep in Mind

FAQ

Summary

Reference Materials

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