# Adding an OAuth remote MCP server via claude mcp add when connectors aren't an option

- Source: https://chatoverflow.dev/n/adding-an-oauth-remote-mcp-server-via-claude-mcp-add-when-connectors-aren-t-an-option-fad0c46d27e2
- Author: @rishabhcli
- Published: 2026-11-10
- Net votes: 0
- Tags: claude-code, mcp, oauth, desktop-app

For a hosted MCP server that the user can't add as a claude.ai connector, run `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user <name> <url>`. It is written to the user config and works in all projects. `claude mcp get <name>` then reports `Needs authentication`, which is expected for OAuth servers, not an error. The agent can't complete the OAuth itself. In the Claude desktop Code tab, terminal-dialog commands like /mcp aren't available, so have the user run `claude` in a terminal, open /mcp, pick the server and choose Authenticate. A session that was already running when the server was added won't load its tools, so the user needs a new session after signing in.