2  Installation

3 Introduction

This chapter will guide you through configuring Claude Desktop to connect with MCP servers. By the end, Claude will have access to powerful tools for data analysis, optimization, and more.

TipWhat We’re Doing

We’re telling Claude Desktop which programs (MCP servers) it should start and connect to. This is done through a simple configuration file.

3.1 Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

Requirement Description
✅ Claude Desktop Latest version installed
✅ MCP Servers Installed via Querex Installer
✅ Power BI Access Premium capacity workspace access

4 Finding the Configuration File

Claude Desktop stores its configuration in a JSON file called claude_desktop_config.json. Let’s find it.

4.2 Method 2: Navigate Manually

Tip🎯 Alternative Method

Navigate directly to the configuration folder on your system.

1 Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

2 Paste the following path and press Enter:

%APPDATA%\Claude

3 Right-click claude_desktop_config.json → Open with → Notepad (or VS Code).

1 Open Finder.

2 Press ⌘ + Shift + G (Go to Folder) and paste:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude

3 Open claude_desktop_config.json with TextEdit or your preferred editor.

Warning⚠️ Note

If the file doesn’t exist, it will be created automatically when you use “Edit Config” via Claude Desktop.

5 Understanding JSON Format

The configuration file uses JSON format. Don’t worry — it’s simpler than it looks!

5.1 Basic Structure

claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "server-name": {
      "command": "path/to/program.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "VARIABLE_NAME": "value"
      }
    }
  }
}

Let’s break it down:

Element Explanation
{ } Curly braces mark the start and end of a group
"mcpServers" The main section where all servers are defined
"server-name" A friendly name you give the server
"command" The path to the program to run
"args" Extra arguments for the program (often empty [])
"env" Environment variables the server needs
Important🚨 Common Mistakes
  • Missing comma: Every element needs a comma after it, EXCEPT the last one
  • Wrong quotes: Always use straight " not curly ” ”
  • Backslash: In Windows paths, use double backslash \\ or single forward slash /

6 Adding the MCP Servers

Now for the important step! Copy the configuration below and paste it into your file.

NoteCopy This Configuration

Select the configuration for your operating system, copy with Ctrl+C (or ⌘+C on Mac), and paste into your claude_desktop_config.json.

Windows Configuration

On Windows, the MSI installer registers each license key in the Windows Registry during installation. The servers read their license directly from the registry at startup — so the "env" section stays empty.

claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "PowerBI": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\SSAS MCP Server SDK\\SsasMcpServerSDK.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "ssb": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\Nordic Statistics MCP Server\\mcp-ssb.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "statistics": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\MCP Stats\\MCP_Stats.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "ortools-optimizer": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\OR-Tools MCP Server\\LP.OrToolsServer.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "igraph": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\MCP Igraph\\IgraphMcp.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "quantitative-finance": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\Quantitative Finance MCP Server\\ConversationalFinanceMCP.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    },
    "lightgbm": {
      "command": "C:\\Program Files\\Norway Analytics\\LightGBM MCP Server\\LightGbmMcpServer.exe",
      "args": [],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

macOS does not have a central registry like Windows. Instead, each server’s license key must be passed as an environment variable directly in the configuration file. This is the "env" section — think of it as handing each server its ID badge at startup.

ImportantLicense Keys Required

On macOS, you must include your license keys in the "env" block for each server. Without them, the servers will not start. Replace the placeholder keys below with the ones you received after purchase.

claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Power_BI": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/Power BI MCP Server/SsasMcpServerSDK",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "SSAS_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "ssb": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/Nordic Statistics MCP Server/mcp-ssb",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "SSB_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "statistics": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/MCP Stats/MCP_Stats",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "MCP_STATS_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "ortools-mcp-server": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/OR-Tools MCP Server/LP.OrToolsServer",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "ORTOOLS_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE",
        "GOOGLE_MAPS_API_KEY": "YOUR-GOOGLE-MAPS-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "igraph": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/MCP Igraph/IgraphMcp",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "MCP_IGRAPH_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "quantitative-finance": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/Quantitative Finance MCP/ConversationalFinanceMCP",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "QUANT_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    },
    "lightgbm": {
      "command": "/Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/LightGBM MCP Server/LightGbmMcpServer",
      "args": [],
      "env": {
        "LIGHTGBM_LICENSE_KEY": "YOUR-LICENSE-KEY-HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
TipWhy the Difference?
Windows macOS
License storage Windows Registry (set during install) Environment variable (set in config)
Binary path C:\Program Files\Norway Analytics\... /Library/Application Support/Norway Analytics/...
File extension .exe No extension
Config file location %APPDATA%\Claude\ ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/

On Windows, the installer takes care of license activation for you. On macOS, you are the installer — the "env" block is where you present your credentials.

6.1 Server Overview

Server Purpose Key Features
Power BI Query semantic models DAX queries, model metadata
Nordic Statistics (SSB) Official Nordic statistics Data from SSB, SCB, Statistics Finland, Denmark, Iceland
MCP Stats Statistical analysis Regression, hypothesis testing, Bayes
OR-Tools Optimization Linear programming, routing, scheduling
iGraph Graph analysis Centrality, communities, visualization
Quantitative Finance Financial math Options, bonds, portfolios
LightGBM Machine learning Gradient boosting for classification, regression, ranking

7 Save and Restart

1 Save the File

Press Ctrl+S to save.

2 Completely Close Claude Desktop

Warning⚠️ Important!

You must close Claude Desktop completely — not just minimize the window.

  • Windows: Right-click the Claude icon in the system tray (bottom-right near the clock) and select Quit.
  • macOS: Right-click the Claude icon in the Dock and select Quit, or use ⌘+Q.

3 Restart Claude Desktop

Open Claude Desktop again.

4 Verify Servers are Active

Look for the 🔨 icon (hammer) in the bottom-right of the text input:

MCP server indicator in Claude Desktop

MCP server indicator in Claude Desktop

Click the hammer to see available tools.

8 Test the Connection

Let’s verify everything is working! Try typing this in Claude:

NoteTest Prompt

“What MCP servers do you have access to? Can you list the available tools?”

If configured correctly, Claude will:

  1. Request permission to use the MCP servers
  2. List all available tools from each server
  3. Show you the capabilities at your disposal
Tip🎉 Success!

If you see the tools listed, you’re ready for the next chapter!

9 Next Steps

Now that your environment is set up, proceed to Chapter 2: Understanding MCP to learn about context windows, best practices, and choosing the right tools.