Claude Code Setup

Claude Code is Anthropic’s CLI for AI-assisted development. SimConnect MCP runs as an MCP server inside your Claude Code session, giving Claude direct access to the SimConnect SDK corpus and — on Windows — live simulator data.

Quick start (project scope)

Add SimConnect MCP to the current project’s .mcp.json file:

claude mcp add --transport stdio \
  --env MCP_MODE=docs \
  --env DOCS_MSFS_VERSION=2024 \
  --scope project \
  simconnect-mcp \
  -- simconnect-mcp

This creates (or updates) .mcp.json at the repository root. Commit the file so all contributors pick up the server automatically.

Manual configuration

Create or edit .mcp.json at the project root:

Docs mode (cross-platform)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "simconnect-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "simconnect-mcp",
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "docs",
        "DOCS_MSFS_VERSION": "2024"
      }
    }
  }
}

Using `go run` (no binary required)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "simconnect-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "go",
      "args": ["run", "./cmd/simconnect-mcp/"],
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "docs",
        "DOCS_MSFS_VERSION": "2024"
      }
    }
  }
}

SimConnect mode (Windows only)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "simconnect-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "simconnect-mcp",
      "env": {
        "MCP_MODE": "simconnect"
      }
    }
  }
}

Start MSFS 2020 / 2024 before launching Claude Code. The server reconnects automatically if the simulator restarts mid-session.

Scope options

Scope	Flag	Location	Shared
Project	`--scope project`	`.mcp.json` (repo root)	Yes — commit to git
Local	`--scope local`	`.claude/mcp.json`	No — gitignored
User	`--scope user`	`~/.claude/mcp.json`	No — your machine only

Use project scope for SimConnect MCP so every contributor in the repo gets the server without manual setup.

Verification

Inside a Claude Code session, run:

/mcp

The output lists all configured servers and their connection status. simconnect-mcp should show as connected with 11 tools available (docs mode) or 4 tools (simconnect mode).

From the CLI, outside a session:

claude mcp list
claude mcp get simconnect-mcp

Test the server is responding by asking Claude:

“What SimConnect variables relate to aircraft altitude?”

Claude should call list_simvars and return variables such as PLANE ALTITUDE, INDICATED ALTITUDE, and PLANE ALT ABOVE GROUND.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause	Fix
Server not listed in `/mcp`	`.mcp.json` not found or malformed	Run `claude mcp list` to see all scopes; check JSON syntax
`command not found: simconnect-mcp`	Binary not on PATH	Run `go install github.com/mrlm-net/simconnect-mcp/cmd/simconnect-mcp@latest`, ensure `$GOPATH/bin` is in PATH
0 tools available	Server started but mode incorrect	Verify `MCP_MODE` env var is set to `docs` or `simconnect`
SimConnect mode errors	MSFS not running	Start MSFS 2020 / 2024 before launching Claude Code