MCP servers for Cursor

How to add an MCP server to Cursor

1. Create .cursor/mcp.json in the project, or ~/.cursor/mcp.json to make the server available everywhere.
2. Add the server under "mcpServers": command and args for a local server, url for a hosted one. Secrets go in an "env" object next to args.
3. Open Cursor Settings → MCP (Tools & Integrations in newer builds) and confirm the server shows a green status with its tools listed.
4. In Agent mode, ask for something the server can do. Cursor asks before running a tool unless you turn on auto-run for it.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/Users/you/projects"]
    },
    "example-remote": {
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

The example uses the reference filesystem server. Every listing on mcp.site shows its own command, args and environment variables, usually with a ready-made snippet for Cursor.

Many listings also offer a one-click cursor:// install link, which writes the same entry for you.

Config formats change between releases. If a step looks different in your version, the Anysphere documentation ↗ is the source of truth.