Connect a client

The Claude Desktop extension, or a JSON configuration for Cursor and other MCP clients.

Two routes, and the first is considerably easier.

Claude Desktop

The CLI installs into Claude Desktop as a Desktop Extension. No JSON to edit.

1. Download screenly-cli-<your-platform>.mcpb from the latest release.
2. Open the file. Claude Desktop shows an installation dialog.
3. Paste your API token when prompted.

The token is stored in your operating system's keychain rather than a plaintext configuration file, which is the main reason to prefer this route.

[!NOTE] macOS bundles are not Developer ID signed yet, so allow the file under System Settings, Privacy & Security, Open Anyway if Gatekeeper blocks it.

Cursor and other clients

Add this to your client's MCP configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "screenly": {
      "command": "screenly",
      "args": ["mcp"],
      "env": {
        "API_TOKEN": "your-api-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Then restart the client.

Authentication

The same two options as the CLI: the API_TOKEN environment variable, or screenly login storing credentials in ~/.screenly.

The extension route uses the keychain instead of either.

Getting a token

In your workspace settings, go to Settings > Security > API tokens and choose Create token. It is shown once. See API tokens.