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shads.app docs

Connect Claude Desktop / claude.ai to shads

Add a custom connector. Set up the shads.app MCP server in Claude Desktop / claude.ai, check the connection, and use it to install shadcn/ui themes.

Open theme builder → All MCP clients

Install

  1. Open Settings → Connectors and choose Add custom connector.
  2. Paste https://mcp.shads.app as the server URL.
  3. Set Authentication to “No sign in” for the public tools.
  4. For account tools, add a request header: Authorization = Bearer <your API key>.
  5. Enable the connector in a chat from the + menu.

Menu labels change between app versions; follow the vendor docs if a step does not match.

Add your API key (optional)

Skip this for public themes. Pro adds your saved themes and AI generation.

Create a key in Account settings → API keys (Pro plan). Keep it out of git.

Add a request header Authorization with the value Bearer <your key> to the connector.

Check that it works

The connector lists its tools once added. Then run the test prompt.

Then ask your assistant:

Use the shads MCP server and run connection_status.

It returns the server version, whether your API key was accepted, and which tools are unlocked.

Try it

  • Use shads to install the Workspace theme in this repo.
  • Use shads to list the starter themes.
  • Use shads to validate this theme.json.

More jobs: recipes.

Troubleshooting

  • Adding the URL to claude_desktop_config.json does nothing. Remote servers are account-level connectors. The config file is for local (stdio) servers.
  • The connector cannot be added. Anthropic's servers make the connection, so the URL must be reachable from the public internet. Free plans are limited to one custom connector.

More general fixes: MCP troubleshooting. Vendor documentation: Claude Desktop / claude.ai MCP docs (checked 2026-10-19).