# Connect a client

Exact steps to point each MCP client at a familiar server deployed over HTTPS
(see [deployment](../deployment.md) first). Most clients use a **bearer token**
(`FAMILIAR_HTTP_TOKEN`); only the claude.ai web connector needs **OAuth**.

| Client | Auth | Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Claude Code | Bearer | [claude-code.md](claude-code.md) |
| VS Code (Copilot) | Bearer | [vscode.md](vscode.md) |
| Mistral Le Chat | Bearer | [mistral.md](mistral.md) |
| Claude Desktop | Bearer (via `mcp-remote`) | [claude-desktop.md](claude-desktop.md) |
| Claude Cowork | Bearer (via `mcp-remote`) | [claude-cowork.md](claude-cowork.md) |
| Claude web (claude.ai) | OAuth 2.1 (external IdP) | [claude-web.md](claude-web.md) |

Bearer works everywhere except the claude.ai web connector, which requires
OAuth 2.1 with Dynamic Client Registration. If you're a Claude user who doesn't
want to run an IdP, use the **Desktop** app with a bearer token instead.