---
title: MCP Setup Guide
description: Step-by-step setup for connecting SeeLLM MCP to Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other AI assistants.
audience: [human, agent]
type: guide
version: v1
stability: stable
lastVerified: "2026-08-01"
prerequisites: [/docs/api/authentication/]
related: [/docs/mcp/, /docs/mcp/tools/]
artifacts: []
---

## Generate an API Key

1. Go to [app.seellm.com](https://app.seellm.com)
2. Navigate to **Settings > API Keys**
3. Click **Create API Key**
4. Copy the key (starts with `sk_live_`)

API keys authenticate your MCP connection and scope access to your organization's data.

## Claude Desktop

1. Open Claude Desktop settings
2. Go to **Developer > Edit Config**
3. Add the SeeLLM server:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "seellm": {
      "url": "https://api.seellm.link/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_live_your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

4. Restart Claude Desktop
5. You should see the SeeLLM tools listed when you start a new conversation

## Cursor

1. Open your project root
2. Create `.cursor/mcp.json` (or edit if it exists):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "seellm": {
      "url": "https://api.seellm.link/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_live_your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

3. Restart Cursor
4. The SeeLLM tools will be available in the AI pane

## Claude Code (CLI)

1. Create `.mcp.json` in your project root:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "seellm": {
      "type": "url",
      "url": "https://api.seellm.link/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_live_your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

2. Run `claude` — the MCP server connects automatically

## Custom Streamable HTTP Clients

Use the MCP endpoint below with a client that supports the Streamable HTTP transport:

```text
https://api.seellm.link/mcp
Authorization: Bearer sk_live_your_api_key_here
```

The client must perform the MCP initialization exchange; a standalone HTTP POST is not a complete integration.

## Troubleshooting

### Tools not showing up

- Verify your API key is valid and hasn't been revoked
- Check the MCP server URL is exactly `https://api.seellm.link/mcp`
- Restart your AI assistant after config changes

### Authentication errors

- API keys start with `sk_live_` — make sure you're using the full key
- The `Authorization` header format is `Bearer sk_live_...` (with the space)
- Keys are scoped to your organization — they only access your org's data