# Connect Claude (/docs/build/connect/claude)

There are three ways to connect. Try them in this order.

## 1. Find WriteStack in the directory [#1-find-writestack-in-the-directory]

WriteStack is listed in Claude's connector directory.

1. In Claude, open **Settings → Connectors** and browse the connectors.
2. Search for **WriteStack** and click **Connect**.
3. Claude opens WriteStack. Sign in and approve access.
4. In a chat, turn on WriteStack from the tools menu and ask, for example: "What's in my WriteStack queue this week?"

## 2. Add a custom connector [#2-add-a-custom-connector]

If you can't find WriteStack in the directory, add it by URL.

1. In **Settings → Connectors**, choose **Add custom connector**.
2. Name it `WriteStack` and paste the endpoint:
   ```text
   https://www.writestack.io/api/mcp/mcp
   ```
3. Click **Connect**, sign in to WriteStack and approve access.

## 3. Use the Claude Desktop config file [#3-use-the-claude-desktop-config-file]

Use this only if connectors don't work for you. It uses an API key instead of signing in.

1. In WriteStack, open **Settings → MCP**, click **Generate Key**, and copy the MCP configuration JSON shown with your new key. See [API key](/docs/build/connect/api-key).
2. In Claude Desktop, open **Settings → Developer → Edit Config**. This opens `claude_desktop_config.json`.
3. Paste the `writestack` entry inside `mcpServers` and save:
   ```json title="claude_desktop_config.json"
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "writestack": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "-y",
           "mcp-remote",
           "https://www.writestack.io/api/mcp/mcp",
           "--header",
           "Authorization: Bearer ws_your_api_key"
         ]
       }
     }
   }
   ```
4. Fully quit Claude Desktop (**⌘Q** on Mac, or **Quit** from the system tray on Windows) and open it again. Closing the window isn't enough.

Use one method, not two. If you switch to a connector after using the config file, delete the `writestack` entry from `claude_desktop_config.json` and restart Claude Desktop, so WriteStack isn't loaded twice.

## If it doesn't work [#if-it-doesnt-work]

| Problem | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| "MCP access is not available on your current plan" | Your plan doesn't include MCP. See [plans and limits](/docs/account/plans-and-limits). |
| Sign-in window closes and nothing connects | Log in to [writestack.io](https://www.writestack.io) in the same browser first, then connect again. |
| WriteStack doesn't show up after editing the config file | Check the JSON is valid, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop. |
| Notes were scheduled but didn't post | Expected for Notes scheduled over MCP. Open WriteStack, go to **My Notes → Scheduled notes** and click **Sync N scheduled notes to Substack**. See [Sync](/docs/using/concepts/sync). |

Next: [agent rules](/docs/build/agent-rules) and [recipes](/docs/build/recipes).