> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.getcollate.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Getting Started with Claude Code

> Connect your Collate MCP Server to Claude Code (CLI) for AI-powered metadata exploration from the terminal.

# Getting Started with Claude Code

Connect your Collate instance to [Claude Code](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/overview), Anthropic's CLI-based AI coding assistant, for AI-powered metadata exploration directly from your terminal.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

1. **Collate v1.8.0+** running
2. **MCP Application** installed in Collate
   * Navigate to `<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/marketplace/apps/McpApplication`
   * Install **McpApplication** if not already installed
3. **Claude Code** installed ([installation guide](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/quickstart))

## Connect with OAuth 2.0 (Recommended)

OAuth lets you authenticate using your existing Collate login, with no tokens to manage.

### Step 1: Add the MCP Server

Open your terminal and run:

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http collate https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp
```

Replace `<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>` with your Collate instance URL (e.g., `your-collate-instance.com`).

This registers the Collate MCP Server as an HTTP remote server in Claude Code.

### Step 2: Authenticate

Start Claude Code and run the `/mcp` command:

```
/mcp
```

You will see your `collate` server listed. Select **Authenticate** next to it. A browser window will open prompting you to sign in with your Collate credentials:

* **SSO (Google, Azure, Okta, etc.)**: You will be redirected to your SSO provider's login page
* **Basic Auth**: Enter your Collate username and password

Once authenticated, Claude Code connects to your Collate MCP Server automatically.

<Note>
  Authentication tokens are stored securely by Claude Code and refreshed automatically. Use the `/mcp` command and select **Clear authentication** to revoke access if needed.
</Note>

### Server Scope Options

By default, `claude mcp add` registers the server for the current project only (local scope). You can change the scope:

```bash theme={null}
# Available in the current project only (default)
claude mcp add --transport http collate https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp

# Available across all your projects
claude mcp add --transport http --scope user collate https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp

# Shared with your team via .mcp.json (checked into version control)
claude mcp add --transport http --scope project collate https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp
```

## Connect with Personal Access Token (PAT)

If you prefer token-based authentication or OAuth is not available in your environment, you can use a Personal Access Token.

### Step 1: Generate a PAT

Follow the [Personal Access Token guide](/collate-ai/mcp#adding-a-personal-access-token-to-your-mcp-client) to generate your token.

### Step 2: Add the MCP Server with Authentication Header

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer <YOUR-Collate-PAT>" \
  collate https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp
```

Replace `<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>` with your Collate instance URL and `<YOUR-Collate-PAT>` with your Personal Access Token.

### Alternative: JSON Configuration

You can also add the server using a JSON configuration:

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add-json collate '{
  "type": "http",
  "url": "https://<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "Bearer <YOUR-Collate-PAT>"
  }
}'
```

## Managing Your MCP Server

Claude Code provides several commands to manage your MCP servers:

```bash theme={null}
# List all configured MCP servers
claude mcp list

# View details for the Collate server
claude mcp get collate

# Remove the Collate server
claude mcp remove collate
```

Within a Claude Code session, use the `/mcp` command to view server status, authenticate, or clear authentication.

## Try It Out

Once connected, start a Claude Code session and ask questions about your metadata:

```bash theme={null}
claude
```

Then try prompts like:

> "What tables do you have access to in Collate?"

> "Imagine you're a data analyst tasked with building a customer retention dashboard. Find relevant customer and transaction tables in the metadata catalog."

> "Show me the lineage of data feeding the sales dashboard."

You should see Claude Code using the Collate MCP tools to search and retrieve information from your metadata catalog.

## Troubleshooting

If you encounter connection issues:

1. **Verify Collate is running**: `curl <YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/api/health`
2. **Check MCP endpoint**: `curl <YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/mcp` (should return 401)
3. **Verify MCP Application is installed**: Visit `<YOUR-Collate-SERVER>/marketplace/apps/McpApplication`
4. **Check server status**: Run `/mcp` in Claude Code to see if the server is connected
5. **Re-authenticate**: Run `/mcp` and select **Clear authentication**, then authenticate again
6. **Verify configuration**: Run `claude mcp get collate` to check the server configuration
7. **Check Claude Code version**: Ensure you are running an up-to-date version with `claude update`

## Additional Resources

* [Collate MCP Documentation](/collate-ai/mcp)
* [OAuth 2.0 Authentication](/collate-ai/mcp/oauth)
* [MCP Tools Reference](/collate-ai/mcp/reference)
* [Claude Code MCP Documentation](https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/claude-code/mcp)