How to Install 8enSmith/mcp-open-library MCP in Claude Desktop

8enSmith/mcp-open-library is built from source — there is no one-click command. Below is how to clone the repo and wire the server up manually.

1
Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/8enSmith/mcp-open-library
2
Build per the README
Install dependencies and build the server.
3
Add to the client config
Point Claude Desktop at the built entrypoint.

Where the config lives

The config file is at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS, %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows, and ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on Linux. There is exactly one — editing any other file does nothing.

Project vs global scope

Claude Desktop has a single global config: every server in it is available in every chat. There is no per-project scope — for project-scoped servers use Claude Code or Cursor.

Verify it works

After a full restart, open the tools (hammer) menu — the server and its tools are listed. If not, the JSON is invalid or the command failed on start.

If the tools don’t appear

· Restart Claude Desktop fully (not just the window).
· Check the command/config for typos; validate the JSON if applicable.
· Make sure Node.js or uv is installed (for npx/uvx servers).
· Check Claude Desktop’s logs — the server may have crashed on start (missing env var, bad token).

How many servers is too many

Every connected server adds its tools to the model’s context. Past ~40–60 tools, selection accuracy drops. Keep only the servers you use enabled, or reach the whole catalog through a gateway — one connection instead of dozens.

Removing 8enSmith/mcp-open-library

Delete the server’s object from the mcpServers block in the config file and restart Claude Desktop.

Install 8enSmith/mcp-open-library in another client

Cursor VS Code Claude Code

FAQ

Do I need to edit JSON by hand?

No. In Claude Desktop it's a command or a deep-link; on Unyly the Install button writes the config for you.

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json · Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json · Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

The MCP isn’t showing up — what do I do?

Restart Claude Desktop, check the command/config for typos, and make sure Node.js / a package runner is installed if the server runs via npx/uvx.

How do I update 8enSmith/mcp-open-library?

Servers run via npx/uvx pull the latest version on launch. Otherwise, reinstall the same way.

Is it safe to install 8enSmith/mcp-open-library?

An MCP server runs with your client’s permissions and access to its data. Install it with the same caution as any npm package: check the source and keep secrets in env. Verified servers on Unyly have passed a security scan.

Does 8enSmith/mcp-open-library cost anything?

Browsing and installing on Unyly is free. The server itself may need a third-party API key — that’s billed by the service, not by Unyly.

Can I use 8enSmith/mcp-open-library in ChatGPT or claude.ai?

Not directly: 8enSmith/mcp-open-library is a local (stdio) server, and ChatGPT/claude.ai only accept remote MCPs. Use the Unyly gateway to expose local servers as one remote endpoint.

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