> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sportmonks.com/v3/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sportmonks.com/v3/sportmonks-ai-docs/mcp-server-beta/setup/claude-desktop.md).

# Claude Desktop

### Prerequisites

* [Node.js 18+](https://nodejs.org)
* A Sportmonks API token from [my.sportmonks.com](https://my.sportmonks.com/subscriptions)
* [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) installed

### Install

**1. Edit your Claude Desktop config**

Open the config file for your operating system:

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

Add the following:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sportmonks-football": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "sportmonks-football-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SPORTMONKS_API_TOKEN": "your_token"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Optional environment variables can be added to the `env` block:

| Variable                | Description                                                                                   |
| ----------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `SPORTMONKS_LOG_FILE`   | Path for the local tool-call log. Set to `off` to disable. Defaults to your OS temp directory |
| `SPORTMONKS_DEBUG_URLS` | Set to `1` or `true` to log outbound API URLs to stderr (token redacted). Off by default      |

**2. Restart Claude Desktop**

The Sportmonks tools will be available in your next conversation.

<figure><img src="https://3469464275-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F9zsNGu3HAzSnl5DWBD3Y%2Fuploads%2FszHzW53zIJEsRe0ESnCN%2Fclaude-desktop.png?alt=media&amp;token=e93c13e9-dd0c-40a0-a286-9f7fbc22f169" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Test it

Start a new conversation and ask:

```
Show me the current Premier League standings
```

### Updating

The server runs via `npx`, so you always get the latest published version automatically. No manual update steps needed.


---

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