# Intent-Engine MCP Server Setup
This guide explains how to add Intent-Engine as an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server to Claude Code.
## Prerequisites
1. **Intent-Engine installed**: Make sure `intent-engine` is in your PATH
2. **Python 3.7+**: Required for the MCP server wrapper
3. **Claude Code**: Desktop app with MCP support
## Installation Methods
### Method 1: Quick Install (Recommended)
```bash
# Clone or download Intent-Engine
git clone https://github.com/wayfind/intent-engine.git
cd intent-engine
# Build and install
cargo build --release
sudo cp target/release/intent-engine /usr/local/bin/
# Install MCP server
./install-mcp-server.sh
```
### Method 2: Manual Setup
#### Step 1: Install Intent-Engine Binary
```bash
# Build from source
cargo build --release
# Or download pre-built binary from releases
# https://github.com/wayfind/intent-engine/releases
# Make sure it's in PATH
sudo cp target/release/intent-engine /usr/local/bin/
# Or add to PATH: export PATH=$PATH:/path/to/intent-engine
```
#### Step 2: Configure MCP Server in Claude Code
Edit Claude Code's MCP settings file:
**macOS/Linux**: `~/.config/claude-code/mcp_servers.json`
**Windows**: `%APPDATA%\claude-code\mcp_servers.json`
Add Intent-Engine server:
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"intent-engine": {
"command": "python3",
"args": ["/path/to/intent-engine/mcp-server.py"],
"description": "Strategic intent and task workflow management for human-AI collaboration"
}
}
}
```
Replace `/path/to/intent-engine/` with your actual path.
#### Step 3: Restart Claude Code
Restart Claude Code to load the new MCP server.
## Verification
In Claude Code, you should now see Intent-Engine tools available:
- `task_add` - Create strategic task
- `task_start` - Begin working on task
- `task_pick_next` - Select optimal tasks
- `task_spawn_subtask` - Create and switch to subtask
- `task_switch` - Switch between tasks
- `task_done` - Complete task
- `task_update` - Update task properties
- `event_add` - Record decisions/blockers/milestones
- `report_generate` - Generate work reports
## Usage Example
Once installed, Claude Code can use Intent-Engine automatically:
```
You: "Help me refactor the authentication system"
Claude: I'll create a task to track this work.
[Uses task_add tool]
[Uses task_start tool with --with-events]
"I've started task #42. Based on the code, I see three main areas:
1. Password hashing (currently MD5, should upgrade)
2. Session management (no expiration)
3. OAuth integration (missing)
Let me create subtasks for each..."
[Uses task_spawn_subtask for each area]
```
## Troubleshooting
### "Command not found: intent-engine"
Make sure `intent-engine` is in your PATH:
```bash
which intent-engine
# Should print: /usr/local/bin/intent-engine or similar
```
### "Permission denied"
Make MCP server executable:
```bash
chmod +x /path/to/intent-engine/mcp-server.py
```
### "Python not found"
Install Python 3:
```bash
# macOS
brew install python3
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt-get install python3
# Windows
# Download from python.org
```
### MCP server not showing in Claude Code
1. Check MCP settings file path is correct
2. Verify JSON syntax is valid
3. Check Claude Code logs: `~/.config/claude-code/logs/`
4. Restart Claude Code
## Uninstall
To remove Intent-Engine MCP server:
1. Remove from `mcp_servers.json`
2. Restart Claude Code
3. Optionally remove binary: `sudo rm /usr/local/bin/intent-engine`
## See Also
- [The Intent-Engine Way](THE_INTENT_ENGINE_WAY.md) - Collaboration philosophy
- [README.md](README.md) - Full command reference
- [Task Workflow Analysis](docs/task_workflow_analysis.md) - Technical details