Claude Desktop MCP Troubleshooting: Server Not Showing Up

Corcava MCP not appearing in Claude Desktop? This troubleshooting guide helps you diagnose and fix configuration issues. Follow these steps to verify your config file location, validate JSON, restart properly, and confirm the server is available.

Symptom-to-Fix Quick Reference

Step 1: Verify Config File Location

First, confirm you're editing the correct configuration file. The location varies by operating system:

macOS

Config File Path:

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

To verify:

1. Open Finder
2. Press Cmd+Shift+G
3. Paste: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude
4. Confirm claude_desktop_config.json exists

Windows

Config File Path:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

To verify:

1. Press Win+R
2. Type: %APPDATA%\Claude
3. Press Enter
4. Confirm claude_desktop_config.json exists

Linux

Config File Path:

~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

To verify:

1. Open terminal
2. Run: ls -la ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
3. Confirm file exists and is readable

File Doesn't Exist?

If the config file doesn't exist, create it:

1. Create the directory if needed (e.g., ~/.config/Claude/ on Linux)
2. Create claude_desktop_config.json
3. Start with: {}
4. Add the MCP server configuration

Step 2: Validate JSON Syntax

Invalid JSON will prevent Claude Desktop from loading the configuration. Check for common errors:

Common JSON Errors:

• Trailing commas: No comma after the last item in an object or array
• Missing quotes: All keys and string values must be in double quotes
• Wrong nesting: Ensure brackets and braces are properly matched
• Comments: JSON doesn't support comments (remove any // or /* */)

Correct Config Format

Your config should look like this (replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual key):

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "corcava": {
      "url": "https://app.corcava.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Validate JSON Online

Use an online JSON validator to check your syntax:

1. Copy your entire config file content
2. Paste into JSONLint or similar validator
3. Fix any reported errors
4. Save the corrected file

Step 3: Verify API Key

Ensure your API key is correct and active:

API Key Checklist:

• ✅ Key is copied correctly (no extra spaces or line breaks)
• ✅ Key includes "Bearer " prefix (with space) in the header
• ✅ Key is active in Corcava Settings → Integrations
• ✅ Key hasn't been revoked or expired
• ✅ Key has the required permissions

Test API Key

Verify your API key works by testing the endpoint:

curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  https://app.corcava.com/mcp

If you get a 401 Unauthorized error, see our 401 troubleshooting guide.

Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop only reads the config file on startup. After making changes, you must restart:

macOS

1. Quit Claude Desktop completely (Cmd+Q or right-click dock icon → Quit)
2. Wait a few seconds
3. Reopen Claude Desktop
4. Check if Corcava MCP appears in the server list

Windows

1. Close Claude Desktop completely (check system tray)
2. Wait a few seconds
3. Reopen Claude Desktop
4. Check if Corcava MCP appears in the server list

Linux

1. Quit Claude Desktop completely
2. Wait a few seconds
3. Reopen Claude Desktop
4. Check if Corcava MCP appears in the server list

Not Just Minimizing

Make sure you fully quit Claude Desktop, not just minimize it. On some systems, you may need to check the system tray or Activity Monitor/Task Manager to ensure it's completely closed.

Step 5: Verification Prompts

After restarting, verify the MCP server is available by asking Claude Desktop:

Verification Prompts

Try these prompts to confirm Corcava MCP is working:

• "What MCP servers are available?"
• "List the available MCP tools"
• "Can you access Corcava tasks?"
• "Show me my Corcava projects"

Expected Response

If Corcava MCP is working, Claude should:

• List Corcava as an available MCP server
• Show available tools like list_tasks, create_task, etc.
• Be able to make tool calls to Corcava

If Tools Don't Appear

If the server appears but tools don't load:

• Check the Tools Not Listed guide
• Verify your API key has the correct permissions
• Check for connection errors in Claude Desktop logs

Still Not Working?

If you've tried all the steps above and Corcava MCP still doesn't appear:

• Check Claude Desktop logs for error messages (location varies by OS)
• Verify you're using the latest version of Claude Desktop
• Try removing and re-adding the MCP server configuration
• See Connection Failed for network issues
• Review Config JSON Errors for syntax issues

Related Troubleshooting

• Config JSON Errors - Fix invalid JSON syntax and schema mistakes
• Connection Failed - Diagnose network and connection issues
• Tools Not Listed - Fix issues when tools don't appear
• Troubleshooting Index - Browse all troubleshooting guides