Connect Zed to shads

Install

Add this to the config file:

settings.json (Settings → AI → MCP Servers → Add Remote Server)

{
  "context_servers": {
    "shads": {
      "url": "https://mcp.shads.app"
    }
  }
}

Zed has no environment-variable interpolation for headers.

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.

Zed cannot read environment variables for headers, so the key goes into the config file. Do not commit that file.

{
  "context_servers": {
    "shads": {
      "url": "https://mcp.shads.app",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Check that it works

Open the Agent Panel settings and look for a green dot next to shads.

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

More general fixes: MCP troubleshooting. Vendor documentation: Zed MCP docs (checked 2026-10-19).