MCP Server Setup Kit

Framework: The 5-Minute Connect Protocol Worth $200/hr consultant time. Yours for $19.

What This Skill Does

Guides you through connecting Claude to Notion, Linear, Slack, and GitHub using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — in one focused workflow. No trial-and-error. No missing steps. Just a working integration you can test in under 5 minutes per tool.

Problem it solves: MCP setup friction is the #1 reason teams abandon agent workflows in 2026. The docs exist but the path is scattered. This skill gives you the straight line.

The 5-Minute Connect Protocol

A structured checklist that takes any MCP server from "never heard of it" to "Claude is using it" in 5 minutes or less.

Phase 1 — Qualify (30 seconds)

Answer these before touching any config:

Config file locations:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• OpenClaw: ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json (mcpServers block)

Phase 2 — Install (2 minutes)

Universal install pattern:

# For NPX-based MCP servers (most common)
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-{toolname}

# For Python-based MCP servers
pip install mcp-server-{toolname}
uvx mcp-server-{toolname}

Verify the binary works before touching config:

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github --help
# Should print usage/options — if it errors, fix here before config

Phase 3 — Configure (1 minute)

Add the server block to your config. Universal template:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "{tool-name}": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-{tool-name}"],
      "env": {
        "{TOOL}_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Phase 4 — Test (90 seconds)

Use these verification prompts immediately after restart:

"List my available MCP tools"
"What can you do with [tool-name]?"
"[Tool-specific test prompt from templates below]"

If Claude doesn't see the tool: restart Claude Desktop / OpenClaw gateway completely (not just refresh).

Phase 5 — Validate (30 seconds)

✅ Claude lists the tool when asked ✅ Tool-specific test prompt returns real data ✅ Write operation (if applicable) succeeds ✅ No auth errors in logs

Log check: ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log (macOS)

5 Pre-Built Integration Templates

Template 1: GitHub MCP

Use case: Let Claude read repos, issues, PRs, and push code.