Gateway FAQs

Question 1

What is Gateway?

Accepted Answer

Gateway is a service that bridges the gap between stdio-based Model Context Protocol (MCP) implementations, like the one used in Claude Desktop, and HTTP/SSE-based MCP servers. It translates protocols, allowing these systems to communicate effectively.

Question 2

How do I install Gateway?

Accepted Answer

You can install Gateway globally using npm with the command: `npm install -g @mcphub/gateway`.  After installation, you need to configure Claude Desktop to use it.

Question 3

Why do I need Gateway?

Accepted Answer

If you want to use Claude Desktop with MCP servers that use HTTP/SSE, you need Gateway. Claude Desktop only supports stdio natively, and Gateway acts as a translator, enabling compatibility.

Question 4

What is MCP_SERVER_URL?

Accepted Answer

MCP_SERVER_URL is an environment variable that specifies the address of the HTTP/SSE MCP server Gateway should connect to. If not set, it defaults to the MCP Hub server.

Question 5

How do I configure Gateway with Claude Desktop?

Accepted Answer

You need to update the Claude Desktop configuration file (config.json) to point to the Gateway's executable path.  The configuration example in the README provides guidance, remembering to replace the example path with your actual installed path.

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