MCP Integration for Claude Code Plugins
A reference skill for wiring MCP servers (stdio, SSE, HTTP, WebSocket) into Claude Code plugins, covering config, auth, and debugging.
Dev & CodingIntermediate★ 522⑂ 47AI score 9/10Last updated: Jul 23, 2026
What it does
- Explains the two ways to bundle MCP servers with a plugin: a dedicated
.mcp.jsonat plugin root or an inlinemcpServersblock inplugin.json. - Gives ready-to-copy JSON for all four transports — stdio (local child process), SSE (hosted with OAuth), HTTP (bearer token), and WebSocket (real-time streaming).
- Covers environment-variable expansion with
${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}, themcp__plugin_<plugin>_<server>__<tool>naming scheme, and how to pre-allow tools in command frontmatter. - Adds security guardrails (HTTPS/WSS only, no hardcoded tokens, avoid wildcard tool allowlists) plus a debugging playbook using
claude --debugand the/mcpcommand.
Who it's for
- Developers building and shipping Claude Code plugins.
- Teams exposing internal APIs or databases as MCP tools.
- Anyone connecting hosted MCP endpoints such as Asana or GitHub via OAuth.
- Engineers troubleshooting servers that never show up in
/mcp.
Examples
- "Bundle a stdio MCP server that queries our Postgres DB" → generates
.mcp.jsonwith${CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT}paths and aDB_URLenv var. - "Connect Asana over SSE and add a create-task command" → SSE config plus a command that pre-allows only the two tools it needs.
- "My MCP tools aren't showing up" → walks the lifecycle (load → parse → connect → discover) using
/mcpand debug logs.
· · · Install guide · · ·
Try it now, no install
Paste this into Claude to use the skill without installing anything.
Read the instructions in this file and follow them to help me: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/tzachbon/smart-ralph/HEAD/.agents/skills/MCP Integration/SKILL.md What I want: (describe your task here)
If Claude can't open the link, open it yourself and paste the contents instead.
↓ If it works for you, download the ZIP below and install it. Then it runs on its own — no pasting each time.
Install in the Claude app (no terminal)
- Download the ZIP with the button below.
- In Claude, open Settings → Capabilities and turn on 'Code execution and file creation'. (one time)
- Go to Customize → Skills → + → 'Upload a skill' and upload the ZIP.
Install in Claude Code
Let Claude do it — paste this into Claude Code
Install the skill I found on Claude Skill Mart. Copy the .agents/skills/MCP Integration folder from the GitHub repo tzachbon/smart-ralph into my ~/.claude/skills/mcp-integration/. When it's done, tell me in one line what this skill can do.
Install with a command instead
git clone https://github.com/tzachbon/smart-ralph.git /tmp/smart-ralph && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "/tmp/smart-ralph/.agents/skills/MCP Integration" ~/.claude/skills/mcp-integration⚠ This is a third-party skill. Check the source repository before installing.
- Open a terminal.
- Clone the repo:
git clone https://github.com/tzachbon/smart-ralph.git /tmp/smart-ralph - Create the skills directory:
mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills - Copy the skill:
cp -r "/tmp/smart-ralph/.agents/skills/MCP Integration" ~/.claude/skills/mcp-integration - Verify the
references/andexamples/folders came along:ls ~/.claude/skills/mcp-integration - Restart Claude Code and try a prompt like "add an MCP server to my plugin" to confirm the skill triggers.
- For connection problems, run
claude --debugand use the/mcpcommand to inspect registered servers.
View source on GitHub ↗License: MIT