Claude Desktop (local server)

This setup follows Claude Desktop's local MCP server configuration.

RequirementsCopy Anchor Link

• Claude Desktop (macOS or Windows), Node.js 18 or newer.
• A Helipod API key, see Get a key.

Add the serverCopy Anchor Link

In Claude Desktop open Settings → Developer → Edit Config. That opens claude_desktop_config.json:

• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "helipod": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "helipod-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "HELIPOD_API_KEY": "hel_your_key",
        "HELIPOD_EMAIL_API_KEY": "your_email_key"
      }
    }
  }
}

Claude Desktop does not read your shell's environment variables, so the key goes in the file. Save, then quit Claude Desktop completely and start it again.

Check it worksCopy Anchor Link

• In a new chat, open the tools menu (the slider / tools icon): helipod is listed with its tools.
• Ask: "List my Helipod projects." Claude asks for permission before each tool.

SkillsCopy Anchor Link

Claude Desktop does not read SKILL.md folders from disk. The server's own instructions already tell Claude to show prices and confirm destructive actions. If your plan supports custom skills, you can upload the folders from skills/ as zip files in Settings → Capabilities.

TroubleshootingCopy Anchor Link