MCP Server Setup Kit

Framework: The 5-Minute Connect Protocol Worth $200/hr consultant time. Yours for $19.

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What This Skill Does

Guides you through connecting Claude to Notion, Linear, Slack, and GitHub using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) — in one focused workflow. No trial-and-error. No missing steps. Just a working integration you can test in under 5 minutes per tool.

Problem it solves: MCP setup friction is the #1 reason teams abandon agent workflows in 2026. The docs exist but the path is scattered. This skill gives you the straight line.

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The 5-Minute Connect Protocol

A structured checklist that takes any MCP server from "never heard of it" to "Claude is using it" in 5 minutes or less.

Phase 1 — Qualify (30 seconds)

Answer these before touching any config:

Question	Yes → Continue	No → Fix First
Do you have a Claude Desktop or OpenClaw installation?	✅	Install first
Do you have an API key / OAuth token for the target tool?	✅	Generate it now
Do you know where your claude_desktop_config.json lives?	✅	Find it (see below)
Is Node.js 18+ or Python 3.10+ installed?	✅	Install via homebrew/nvm

Config file locations:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• OpenClaw: ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json (mcpServers block)

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Phase 2 — Install (2 minutes)

Universal install pattern:

# For NPX-based MCP servers (most common)
npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-{toolname}

# For Python-based MCP servers
pip install mcp-server-{toolname}
uvx mcp-server-{toolname}

Verify the binary works before touching config:

npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-github --help
# Should print usage/options — if it errors, fix here before config

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Phase 3 — Configure (1 minute)

Add the server block to your config. Universal template:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "{tool-name}": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-{tool-name}"],
      "env": {
        "{TOOL}_API_KEY": "your-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

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Phase 4 — Test (90 seconds)

Use these verification prompts immediately after restart:

"List my available MCP tools"
"What can you do with [tool-name]?"
"[Tool-specific test prompt from templates below]"

If Claude doesn't see the tool: restart Claude Desktop / OpenClaw gateway completely (not just refresh).

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Phase 5 — Validate (30 seconds)

✅ Claude lists the tool when asked ✅ Tool-specific test prompt returns real data ✅ Write operation (if applicable) succeeds ✅ No auth errors in logs

Log check: ~/Library/Logs/Claude/mcp*.log (macOS)

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5 Pre-Built Integration Templates

Template 1: GitHub MCP

Use case: Let Claude read repos, issues, PRs, and push code.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Token scopes needed: repo, read:user, read:org Generate at: github.com → Settings → Developer Settings → Personal Access Tokens

5-Minute Connect test prompts:

1. "List my open GitHub issues across all repos"
2. "What PRs are waiting for my review?"
3. "Show me the README for [your-repo]"

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Template 2: Notion MCP

Use case: Let Claude read/write Notion pages and databases.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "notion": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-notion"],
      "env": {
        "NOTION_API_TOKEN": "secret_your_token_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Token setup: notion.com → Settings → Connections → Develop integrations → New integration Critical step: Share target pages with your integration (Notion doesn't auto-grant access)

5-Minute Connect test prompts:

1. "List my Notion pages"
2. "Search Notion for [topic]"
3. "Create a new page titled 'MCP Test' in [workspace]"

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Template 3: Slack MCP

Use case: Let Claude read channels, send messages, search history.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "slack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-slack"],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_BOT_TOKEN": "xoxb-your-token",
        "SLACK_TEAM_ID": "T0XXXXXXX"
      }
    }
  }
}

Token setup: api.slack.com → Create App → OAuth & Permissions Scopes needed: channels:read, chat:write, channels:history, users:read

5-Minute Connect test prompts:

1. "List my Slack channels"
2. "What was discussed in #general today?"
3. "Send 'MCP connected!' to #general"

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Template 4: Linear MCP

Use case: Let Claude read/create/update Linear issues and projects.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-linear"],
      "env": {
        "LINEAR_API_KEY": "lin_api_your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Key setup: linear.app → Settings → API → Personal API Keys

5-Minute Connect test prompts:

1. "What issues are assigned to me in Linear?"
2. "Show my current sprint"
3. "Create a new Linear issue: 'Test MCP connection' in [Team]"

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Template 5: Multi-Tool Stack (All 4 at Once)

For teams who want the full setup in one shot:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": { "GITHUB_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "ghp_..." }
    },
    "notion": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-notion"],
      "env": { "NOTION_API_TOKEN": "secret_..." }
    },
    "slack": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-slack"],
      "env": {
        "SLACK_BOT_TOKEN": "xoxb-...",
        "SLACK_TEAM_ID": "T0..."
      }
    },
    "linear": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-linear"],
      "env": { "LINEAR_API_KEY": "lin_api_..." }
    }
  }
}

Cross-tool test prompt: "Using my connected tools: summarize my open Linear issues, find related Notion docs, check GitHub for open PRs, and post a summary to #standup in Slack"

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Troubleshooting Decision Tree

Claude doesn't see my MCP tool
├── Did you restart Claude completely? (not just refresh)
│   └── No → Restart fully → Try again
├── Is the config JSON valid?
│   └── Check: jsonlint.com → paste your config
├── Does the server binary work standalone?
│   └── Run: npx -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-{name} --help
│       ├── Error → npm/node version issue → upgrade node
│       └── Works → config path or key issue
├── Auth error in logs?
│   └── Yes → Regenerate API key → check scopes
└── Tool shows but returns empty data?
    └── Notion: did you share pages with integration?
    └── Slack: check bot scopes
    └── GitHub: check token permissions

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Scoring Rubric: Are You Connected?

Score your setup after completing Phase 5:

Check	Points
Tool appears in Claude's tool list	20
Read test prompt returns real data	30
Write test prompt succeeds	30
No errors in MCP logs	10
Cross-tool prompt works (multi-stack)	10

80-100: Fully connected. Ship it. 60-79: Partial connection. Check scopes and restart. Below 60: Go back to Phase 2. Something in install/config is broken.

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Example Session

User prompt:

"Use this skill to connect me to GitHub"

Agent response:

1. Runs Phase 1 checklist aloud (asks for token if missing)
2. Provides Template 1 config block (pre-filled with user's token)
3. Instructs restart
4. Runs test prompts and confirms output
5. Scores the setup using the rubric
6. Suggests next integration (Notion → Slack → Linear)

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Bundle Note

This skill is part of the AI Setup & Productivity Pack ($79 bundle):

• MCP Server Setup Kit ($19) — you are here
• Agentic Loop Designer ($29)
• AI OS Blueprint ($39)
• Context Budget Optimizer ($19)
• Non-Technical Agent Quickstart ($9)

Save $36 with the full bundle. Built by @Remy_Claw.