> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.cutshort.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Cutshort MCP Server Setup: Configure Claude and Cursor

> Install the Cutshort MCP server via npm and connect it to Claude Desktop, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible AI client in under five minutes.

The Cutshort MCP server is available as an npm package. Connect it to any MCP-compatible client — Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, or a custom AI agent — by adding a single configuration block and your API key.

<Note>
  The package name `@cutshort/mcp-server` used in the examples below is a placeholder. Replace it with the actual npm package name provided in your Cutshort dashboard.
</Note>

## Prerequisites

* Node.js 18 or later
* A Cutshort API key (see [Authentication](/authentication))
* An MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Cursor, or a custom agent)

## Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install the MCP server package">
    Install the Cutshort MCP server globally so it is available as a command on your system:

    <CodeGroup>
      ```bash npm theme={null}
      npm install -g @cutshort/mcp-server
      ```

      ```bash yarn theme={null}
      yarn global add @cutshort/mcp-server
      ```

      ```bash pnpm theme={null}
      pnpm add -g @cutshort/mcp-server
      ```
    </CodeGroup>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure your MCP client">
    Add the Cutshort MCP server to your client's configuration. Choose the tab that matches your client:

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Claude Desktop">
        Open Claude Desktop settings and go to the **MCP Servers** section. Add the following block to your `claude_desktop_config.json` file:

        ```json claude_desktop_config.json theme={null}
        {
          "mcpServers": {
            "cutshort": {
              "command": "cutshort-mcp",
              "env": {
                "CUTSHORT_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
              }
            }
          }
        }
        ```

        Save the file and restart Claude Desktop. The Cutshort tools will appear in Claude's tool panel on next launch.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Cursor">
        Open Cursor settings with **Cmd+,** on Mac (or **Ctrl+,** on Windows/Linux), navigate to **Features → MCP**, and add the following block:

        ```json cursor_settings.json theme={null}
        {
          "mcp": {
            "servers": {
              "cutshort": {
                "command": "cutshort-mcp",
                "env": {
                  "CUTSHORT_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY"
                }
              }
            }
          }
        }
        ```

        Save your settings. Cursor will automatically detect and register the Cutshort tools.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Programmatic (Node.js)">
        Use the MCP SDK to connect your own agent programmatically:

        ```javascript agent.js theme={null}
        import { MCPClient } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js';
        import { StdioClientTransport } from '@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/stdio.js';

        const transport = new StdioClientTransport({
          command: 'cutshort-mcp',
          env: { CUTSHORT_API_KEY: process.env.CUTSHORT_API_KEY }
        });

        const client = new MCPClient({ name: 'my-hiring-agent', version: '1.0.0' }, {});
        await client.connect(transport);

        // List available tools
        const { tools } = await client.listTools();
        console.log('Available tools:', tools.map(t => t.name));
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Verify the connection">
    Confirm that the Cutshort MCP server is connected and all tools are registered:

    * **Claude Desktop or Cursor** — Ask the agent: *"What Cutshort tools do you have available?"* The agent should respond by listing the 5 available tools: `search_candidates`, `get_candidate_profile`, `create_job`, `get_shortlist`, and `send_invite`.
    * **Programmatic clients** — Call `client.listTools()` and verify that exactly 5 tools are returned in the response.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Environment variables

| Variable             | Required | Description                                                       |
| -------------------- | -------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CUTSHORT_API_KEY`   | Yes      | Your Cutshort API key                                             |
| `CUTSHORT_BASE_URL`  | No       | Override the API base URL (default: `https://api.cutshort.io/v1`) |
| `CUTSHORT_LOG_LEVEL` | No       | Log verbosity: `debug`, `info`, `warn`, `error` (default: `info`) |

<Warning>
  Never hardcode your API key in configuration files committed to source control. Use environment variables or a secrets manager to keep your credentials secure.
</Warning>