This article explains how to configure Claude for Desktop to connect with your Ardoq MCP server, enabling Claude to understand and interact with your Ardoq model data.
Claude Free and Pro licenses require a local proxy for MCP communication using a Node.js module. A Claude Max license enables remote MCP server connections directly. The following example assumes the need for a local proxy.
Prerequisites
Node.js v18 or higher
If you don’t already have Node.js installed:
Go to nodejs.org/en/download
Download the LTS version for your operating system
Follow the installation instructions
To confirm the installation, open a terminal and run:
node --version
You should see a version number like v18.17.1.
1. Install Claude for Desktop
Download the app from the official site: claude.ai/download
Choose macOS or Windows.
Follow the installation instructions.
MCP is currently supported only on Claude for Desktop — not on Claude Web.
2. Configure Claude to Use the Ardoq MCP Server
1. Open Claude for Desktop.
2. Click the Claude menu and choose Settings…
3. In the left sidebar, click Developer, then click Edit Config.
This opens or creates a config file at:
macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.jsonWindows:
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
4. Replace the contents with the following block:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ardoq": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://<your-host>.ardoq.com/mcp/",
"--header",
"Authorization:Bearer ${ARDOQ_API_TOKEN}"
],
"env": {
"ARDOQ_API_TOKEN": "<your-token>"
}
}
}
}
Replace:
<your-token>with your Ardoq API token<your-host>with your org hostname
5. Save the file and close your editor.
3. Restart Claude
Fully quit and restart Claude for Desktop.
If everything is set up correctly, you should now see either:
A hammer icon in the input bar. Clicking it will show available tools, including the Ardoq MCP server.
Or
ardoqwill show up under the Search and tools tab in the input bar, with the available tools.
4. Test the Integration
Try prompting Claude with:
"Please show me the reports I have in Ardoq"
If configured correctly, Claude will fetch real-time report from the Ardoq MCP server.
Next, you can try prompting:
"Can you give me more information <insert name of report from the list of reports>"
Claude will then search for that report in your Ardoq org and fetch all the available information.
Allow Access
Claude will ask for permission when it runs an external tool for the first time. You can safely click Allow always.
You're All Set!
Your Claude Desktop is now successfully integrated with the Ardoq MCP server. From here, you can start exploring your Ardoq data through natural conversation. Try fetching reports, generating summaries, and creating visual charts directly from your report content.