macOS MCP Config Paths: Where to Find and Edit the Right File

Need to find or edit your MCP configuration on macOS? This macOS-specific guide shows you exactly where each MCP client stores its config files, how to open and edit them safely using Finder or Terminal, and how to avoid common macOS path pitfalls.

Understanding macOS Config Paths

On macOS, MCP clients store configuration files in different locations. Some use your home directory with hidden folders (starting with a dot), others use Application Support folders. This guide covers all common locations.

macOS Path Conventions

• ~ = /Users/YourUsername (home directory)
• ~/Library/Application Support/ = App-specific data folder
• Hidden folders start with a dot (e.g., .cursor)
• Paths use forward slashes (/)
• Finder hides Library folder by default

MCP Client Config Locations on macOS

Claude Desktop

Config File Path:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Full Example:

/Users/YourUsername/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

How to Open

Method 1: Finder Go to Folder

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G (Go to Folder)
3. Paste: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude
4. Press Enter
5. Open claude_desktop_config.json in a text editor

Method 2: Terminal

cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude
open -a "Visual Studio Code" claude_desktop_config.json

Or use nano, vim, or your preferred editor

Cursor

Config File Path:

~/.cursor/mcp.json

Full Example:

/Users/YourUsername/.cursor/mcp.json

Hidden Folder

The .cursor folder is hidden by default. To see it:

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+. (period) to show hidden files
3. Navigate to your home directory
4. Open the .cursor folder

How to Open

Method 1: Terminal (Easiest)

cd ~/.cursor
open -a "Visual Studio Code" mcp.json

Method 2: Finder

1. Press Cmd+Shift+. to show hidden files
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G (Go to Folder)
3. Type: ~ and press Enter
4. Open the .cursor folder
5. Open mcp.json

Windsurf

Config Location:

Windsurf may use either:

• Settings UI (configured through Windsurf's interface)
• Config file: ~/Library/Application Support/Windsurf/mcp.json (if using file-based config)

Check Settings UI First

1. Open Windsurf
2. Go to Settings → MCP Servers
3. Check if Corcava MCP is configured there
4. If not, add it through the UI (preferred method)

Continue

Config File Path:

~/Library/Application Support/Continue/config.json

Full Example:

/Users/YourUsername/Library/Application Support/Continue/config.json

Step 1: Show Hidden Files in Finder

Many config files are in hidden folders. Enable viewing hidden files first:

Show Hidden Files in Finder

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+. (period key)
3. Hidden files and folders will now be visible (grayed out)
4. Press again to hide them

Step 2: Access Library Folder

The Library folder is hidden by default. Here's how to access it:

Method 1: Go to Folder (Recommended)

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G (Go to Folder)
3. Type: ~/Library
4. Press Enter
5. Navigate to Application Support → your app folder

Method 2: Terminal

cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude
open .

This opens the folder in Finder

Method 3: Make Library Always Visible

1. Open Finder
2. Go to your home folder
3. Press Cmd+J (View Options)
4. Check "Show Library Folder"
5. Library will now always be visible

Step 3: Navigate to Config File

Use one of these methods to quickly navigate to config files:

Method 1: Terminal (Fastest)

For hidden folders (like .cursor):

cd ~/.cursor
open -a "Visual Studio Code" mcp.json

For Application Support folders:

cd ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude
open -a "Visual Studio Code" claude_desktop_config.json

Method 2: Finder Go to Folder

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G
3. Type the path (e.g., ~/.cursor or ~/Library/Application Support/Claude)
4. Press Enter
5. Open the config file

Step 4: Edit Config File Safely

Before editing, take these safety precautions:

Safety Checklist

• ✅ Close the MCP client before editing (Cursor, Claude Desktop, etc.)
• ✅ Make a backup copy of the config file
• ✅ Use a JSON-aware editor (VS Code, TextEdit, BBEdit)
• ✅ Validate JSON syntax before saving
• ✅ Save the file before closing

Recommended Editors

• VS Code: Best choice, JSON validation built-in
• TextEdit: Built-in, works but enable "Plain Text" mode
• BBEdit: Excellent alternative with syntax highlighting
• nano/vim: Terminal editors, good for quick edits

Create Backup

Quick Backup Steps:

1. In Finder, right-click the config file
2. Select "Duplicate"
3. Rename the copy to config.json.backup

Or in Terminal:

cp mcp.json mcp.json.backup

Step 5: Validate JSON Syntax

Invalid JSON will prevent the MCP client from loading your config:

Common JSON Errors on macOS

• Trailing commas (not allowed in JSON)
• Missing quotes around keys
• Wrong nesting or brackets
• Special characters not escaped

Validate Before Saving

Validation Methods

• VS Code: Shows JSON errors with red squiggles
• Online: Copy/paste to JSONLint
• Terminal: python3 -m json.tool config.json (validates syntax)

Step 6: Common macOS-Specific Issues

Issue 1: File Not Found

Symptom

Config file doesn't exist at expected location

Fix

1. Check if the parent folder exists (e.g., .cursor folder)
2. If not, create it: mkdir -p ~/.cursor
3. Create the config file: echo '{}' > ~/.cursor/mcp.json
4. Add your MCP server configuration

Issue 2: Permission Denied

Symptom

Cannot save changes to config file

Fix

1. Check file permissions: ls -l ~/.cursor/mcp.json
2. Fix permissions if needed: chmod 644 ~/.cursor/mcp.json
3. Ensure you own the file: chown $USER ~/.cursor/mcp.json

Issue 3: Finder vs Terminal Path Confusion

Symptom

Can't find file or editing wrong location

Fix

• Use ~ for home directory (works in both Finder and Terminal)
• Verify current directory: pwd in Terminal
• Use absolute paths if unsure: /Users/YourUsername/.cursor/mcp.json
• Use Go to Folder (Cmd+Shift+G) for accurate Finder navigation

Issue 4: TextEdit Formatting Issues

Symptom

TextEdit adds formatting or saves as RTF

Fix

1. In TextEdit, go to Format → Make Plain Text
2. Or use defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0 in Terminal
3. Better: Use VS Code or another code editor

Quick Validation Routine

Before Restarting Your MCP Client

1. ✅ Found the correct config file for your client
2. ✅ Enabled hidden files in Finder (Cmd+Shift+.) if needed
3. ✅ Made a backup copy of the original config
4. ✅ Validated JSON syntax (no errors)
5. ✅ Saved the file successfully
6. ✅ Closed the MCP client before editing
7. ✅ Verified file permissions allow writing

First Test Prompt

After restarting your MCP client, test with this prompt:

"What MCP tools are available? List all configured MCP servers."

If Corcava MCP is working, you should see tools like list_tasks, get_task, create_task, etc.

Quick Reference: All macOS Paths

Related Troubleshooting

• Config JSON Errors - Fix JSON syntax mistakes in config files
• Cursor Config Issues - Fix Cursor config not applying after edits
• Windows Config Paths - Find config files on Windows
• Troubleshooting Index - Browse all troubleshooting guides