> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.civic.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Claude Code Setup

> Connect Anthropic's Claude Code CLI to Civic

<Callout icon="terminal" color="blue">
  Claude Code supports direct HTTP Streaming connections to Civic — no local bridge required. Follow the steps below to connect in a few minutes. Hub Bridge is also available as a fallback if needed.
</Callout>

## Overview

Claude Code (Anthropic's command-line coding assistant) uses Model Context Protocol (MCP) to talk to external tools. Claude Code supports **direct HTTP connections** to Civic — no local bridge required.

## Prerequisites

* Anthropic Claude CLI (`claude`) installed and authenticated
* A Civic account — [create one free at app.civic.com](https://app.civic.com)

<Note>
  **How authentication works**

  Civic supports two methods depending on how your client connects:

  | Client type                                                                        | Method          | How it works                                                                                                                                             |
  | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
  | Interactive clients (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI, Goose, Windsurf) | **OAuth**       | When you connect, your client opens a browser window to app.civic.com. Sign in once — no manual token needed.                                            |
  | Automated agents (LangChain, custom scripts, OpenAI SDK, Anthropic SDK)            | **Civic Token** | Generate a bearer token at [app.civic.com → Install → MCP URL](https://app.civic.com/web/install/mcp-url). Pass it as an `Authorization: Bearer` header. |

  See [Get Your Credentials](/civic/quickstart/credentials) for full details.
</Note>

## Quick Setup

Claude Code supports two connection methods. Choose the one that works best for you:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="HTTP Transport (Recommended)">
    ### Direct Connection via HTTP

    Claude Code now supports direct HTTP connections to Civic without needing a local bridge.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Register the Civic server with HTTP transport">
        Run this command to add Civic via HTTP:

        ```bash theme={null}
        claude mcp add --transport http civic https://app.civic.com/hub/mcp
        ```

        This configures Claude Code to connect directly to Civic over HTTP.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Launch Claude Code">
        Start the Claude CLI session:

        ```bash theme={null}
        claude
        ```

        Tip: add the `--debug` flag if you want to watch MCP logs while connecting.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect and sign in">
        Inside the Claude session, run the MCP menu command:

        ```text theme={null}
        /mcp
        ```

        Select the `civic` server. A browser window opens to app.civic.com — sign in with your Civic account. Once complete, Claude confirms the server is `connected` and ready to use.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Hub Bridge (Alternative)">
    ### Local Bridge Connection

    <Info>
      **What is Hub Bridge?** Hub Bridge (`@civic/hub-bridge`) is a lightweight local proxy that runs on your machine via `npx` and bridges stdio-only MCP clients to Civic's remote HTTP endpoint. Use it when your client doesn't support remote HTTP MCP connections natively. If your client supports HTTP/Streamable HTTP MCP — use that instead (it's simpler and has no Node.js dependency).

      [Full Hub Bridge setup guide →](/civic/quickstart/hub-bridge)
    </Info>

    Use this method if you run into issues with the HTTP transport path above.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Register the Civic server">
        Run this command to add the Civic Hub Bridge MCP server:

        ```bash theme={null}
        claude mcp add civic "npx @civic/hub-bridge"
        ```

        This installs the bridge (if needed) and stores the connection in your Claude MCP config.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Launch Claude Code">
        Start the Claude CLI session:

        ```bash theme={null}
        claude
        ```

        Tip: add the `--debug` flag if you want to watch MCP logs while connecting.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect and sign in">
        Inside the Claude session, run the MCP menu command:

        ```text theme={null}
        /mcp
        ```

        Select the `civic` server and follow the browser sign-in flow to authorize Civic. Once the login completes, Claude confirms that the server is available for tool execution.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/civic/R9WQnw4puNTnEq4f/images/claude-code.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=R9WQnw4puNTnEq4f&q=85&s=7028e7bcaffe32428a5dbc67f97137ad" alt="Claude CLI connected to the Civic MCP server" className="image-80 image-rounded" width="1838" height="632" data-path="images/claude-code.png" />
</Frame>

## Verify the Connection

* In Claude, run `/mcp` again to check that `civic` shows as `connected`
* Test a Civic command (for example, request a tool list) to confirm the session is authorized

## Troubleshooting

* If the connection shows `failed`, re-run `claude --debug` to view detailed logs in your terminal
* Ensure you have an active Civic session in your default browser; the MCP flow opens a new window for login
* Delete and re-add the server with `claude mcp remove civic` followed by the setup command if you need to refresh credentials

## Resources

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Hub Bridge Guide" icon="bridge" href="/civic/quickstart/hub-bridge">
    Full Hub Bridge configuration details
  </Card>

  <Card title="Client Compatibility" icon="table" href="/civic/reference/client-compatibility">
    MCP support matrix for Claude Code
  </Card>

  <Card title="Troubleshooting" icon="wrench" href="/civic/troubleshooting">
    Common Claude Code connection fixes
  </Card>

  <Card title="Installing into an agent" icon="robot" href="/civic/quickstart/clients/agents">
    Deploy Civic in autonomous agents and automation platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>