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

# Connect your AI client

> Wire Anima's tools into Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, and other MCP clients — automatically with the CLI, or by hand.

# Connect your AI client

Anima's capabilities are exposed as [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) tools, so any MCP-aware client can send email, provision numbers, place calls, and use the vault on your behalf.

The tools are split into focused domain servers, so you install only what you need:

| Server   | Package                    | Covers                                          |
| -------- | -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| Agent    | `@anima-labs/mcp-agent`    | Agents, organizations, identity, registry, A2A  |
| Email    | `@anima-labs/mcp-email`    | Email, messages, domains, addresses             |
| Phone    | `@anima-labs/mcp-phone`    | Phone numbers, SMS, voice calls                 |
| Vault    | `@anima-labs/mcp-vault`    | Encrypted credential storage, security policies |
| Platform | `@anima-labs/mcp-platform` | Webhooks, pods, utilities                       |

## Fastest path: let the CLI configure it

The [Anima CLI](/install) detects your installed MCP clients and writes the right config for each one:

```bash theme={null}
# Configure every detected client
anima setup-mcp install --all

# Or target a single client and a subset of servers
anima setup-mcp install --client cursor --server email,phone
```

`setup-mcp install` auto-configures **Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and Windsurf**. It backs up any existing config before writing, and stores your API key in the client's config. Check and confirm what it did:

```bash theme={null}
anima setup-mcp status    # what's configured, where, and in which mode
anima setup-mcp verify    # validate the config (add --ping to test connectivity)
```

To connect a client the CLI doesn't configure automatically (such as Codex or Zed), add the configuration by hand using the tabs below.

## Per-client setup

Each tab shows the CLI command where it applies, plus the manual configuration in that client's native format. Every server takes your Anima API key (`ak_...`) as `ANIMA_API_KEY`.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    ```bash theme={null}
    anima setup-mcp install --client claude-code
    ```

    Or add a server manually:

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add anima-email -- npx -y @anima-labs/mcp-email
    claude mcp add anima-phone -- npx -y @anima-labs/mcp-phone
    claude mcp add anima-vault -- npx -y @anima-labs/mcp-vault
    ```

    Claude Code stores MCP servers in `~/.claude.json`.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Claude Desktop">
    ```bash theme={null}
    anima setup-mcp install --client claude-desktop
    ```

    Or edit the config file directly:

    * **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
    * **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
    * **Linux:** `~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "anima-email": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-email"],
          "env": { "ANIMA_API_KEY": "ak_..." }
        },
        "anima-phone": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-phone"],
          "env": { "ANIMA_API_KEY": "ak_..." }
        }
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Cursor">
    ```bash theme={null}
    anima setup-mcp install --client cursor
    ```

    Or edit `~/.cursor/mcp.json`:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "anima-email": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-email"],
          "env": { "ANIMA_API_KEY": "ak_..." }
        }
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="VS Code">
    ```bash theme={null}
    anima setup-mcp install --client vscode
    ```

    Or edit your user `mcp.json` (Command Palette → **MCP: Open User Configuration**):

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "servers": {
        "anima-email": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-email"],
          "env": { "ANIMA_API_KEY": "ak_..." }
        }
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Windsurf">
    ```bash theme={null}
    anima setup-mcp install --client windsurf
    ```

    Or edit `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "anima-email": {
          "command": "npx",
          "args": ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-email"],
          "env": { "ANIMA_API_KEY": "ak_..." }
        }
      }
    }
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex / Zed">
    The CLI does not configure these clients automatically — add the servers using each client's MCP configuration. Both support stdio servers launched with `npx`:

    ```
    command: npx
    args:    ["-y", "@anima-labs/mcp-email"]
    env:     ANIMA_API_KEY=ak_...
    ```

    Repeat for each domain server you want (`@anima-labs/mcp-agent`, `-phone`, `-vault`, `-platform`), following your client's native config format.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Hosted (remote) server

If you'd rather not run the servers locally, Anima hosts them at a single endpoint. Point any client with native remote-MCP support at it and send your API key as a bearer token:

|               |                                |
| ------------- | ------------------------------ |
| **Endpoint**  | `https://mcp.useanima.sh/mcp`  |
| **Transport** | Streamable HTTP                |
| **Auth**      | `Authorization: Bearer ak_...` |

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "anima": {
      "url": "https://mcp.useanima.sh/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ak_..." }
    }
  }
}
```

<Warning>
  Treat your API key like a password. Prefer your client's secret-input mechanism over hardcoding the key in a file that might be committed.
</Warning>

## Try it

Once connected, ask your assistant in natural language:

* "Send an email from my agent to [user@example.com](mailto:user@example.com)."
* "Text me now from my agent's number."
* "Store my CRM login in the vault — don't print the password."
* "Make a voice call to +1-555-0123 after confirming consent."

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="For AI Agents" icon="robot" href="/ai-agents">
    The skill manifest, the docs MCP server, and machine-readable docs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Phone & Voice" icon="phone" href="/phone">
    Provision a number, text a human, and place a call.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>