How to Install Notion MCP in Claude Desktop

To install the Notion MCP server in Claude Desktop, add the block below to your Claude Desktop config file and restart the app.

Config (mcpServers)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "notion": {
      "transport": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.notion.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

1-click install via Unyly

1
Open the config
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) · %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows) · ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Linux)
2
Paste the block
Add the object under mcpServers (shown below).
3
Restart Claude Desktop
The server shows up in the tools list.

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.

API keys & environment variables

This server needs environment variables: NOTION_TOKEN. Put your real values in the env block (Cursor / VS Code / Claude Desktop) or as -e KEY=value flags (Claude Code). Keep them in env, not args — otherwise the secrets leak into logs.

Authentication (remote / OAuth)

Notion is a remote (HTTP) server at https://mcp.notion.com/mcp. It connects over the network, so no local runtime is needed. If it needs sign-in, Claude Desktop opens an OAuth flow the first time — approve access once and the token is stored.

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 Notion

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

Install Notion 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 Notion?

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

Is it safe to install Notion?

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 Notion 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 Notion in ChatGPT or claude.ai?

Yes — it’s a remote server, and ChatGPT and claude.ai accept remote MCPs by URL. Add https://mcp.notion.com/mcp as a connector.

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