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kernel mcp install --target <target>

Install Kernel MCP server configuration for a supported AI development tool. This command automatically configures the MCP server in your tool’s settings file.
FlagDescription
--target <target>Target AI tool to configure. Required.

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Supported Targets

  • cursor - Cursor editor
  • claude - Claude Desktop app
  • claude-code - Claude Code CLI
  • windsurf - Windsurf editor
  • vscode - Visual Studio Code
  • goose - Goose AI
  • zed - Zed editor

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Examples

# Install for Cursor
kernel mcp install --target cursor

# Install for Claude Desktop
kernel mcp install --target claude

# Install for VS Code
kernel mcp install --target vscode

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What It Does

The mcp install command:
  1. Locates the configuration file for your target tool (e.g., ~/.cursor/mcp.json for Cursor)
  2. Creates the file if it doesn’t exist or reads the existing configuration
  3. Adds the Kernel MCP server configuration with the correct settings for your tool
  4. Preserves existing MCP servers - your other MCP configurations remain intact

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Configuration Details

The command automatically configures the appropriate transport and settings for each tool:
  • Cursor, Claude Code, VS Code: Uses HTTP transport (https://mcp.onkernel.com/mcp)
  • Claude Desktop, Windsurf, Goose, Zed: Uses stdio transport via mcp-remote

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Next Steps

After installation:
  1. Restart your tool (or reload the window) to load the new MCP server
  2. Authenticate when prompted - you’ll be redirected to authorize Kernel access via OAuth
  3. Start using Kernel tools - browser automation capabilities will be available in your AI conversations
For manual setup instructions or troubleshooting, see the MCP Server documentation.

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Troubleshooting

If installation fails:
  • Ensure you have write permissions to the configuration directory
  • Check that the target tool’s configuration directory exists
  • For Zed, the command handles JSON5 format (comments) automatically
  • For Goose, the command displays YAML configuration instructions (manual copy-paste required)