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

# Install the MCP server

> Clone, configure, and run the LoyaltyDog MCP server locally.

The MCP server lives in the `core_api/mcp` directory of the LoyaltyDog core API repository. It's a Python process you start locally via your AI assistant's MCP config.

## Prerequisites

* Python 3.11 or later
* A LoyaltyDog API token ([see Authentication](/authentication))
* An MCP-capable client: Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, or any other MCP host

## Install

```bash theme={null}
git clone https://github.com/loyaltydog/core_api.git
cd core_api/mcp
pip install -r requirements.txt
```

## Configure

The server reads two environment variables:

| Variable               | Purpose                                     | Example                          |
| ---------------------- | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| `LOYALTYDOG_API_URL`   | Base URL for the v2 API (no trailing slash) | `https://api.loyalty.dog/api/v2` |
| `LOYALTYDOG_API_TOKEN` | Bearer token for API authentication         | `eyJhbGc…`                       |

You can set them inline in your MCP client config (recommended — see the [client setup guide](/mcp/clients)) or via a local `.env`:

```bash theme={null}
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env and fill in your values
```

## Sanity-check the server

You can start the server manually to verify your token works:

```bash theme={null}
LOYALTYDOG_API_URL="https://api.loyalty.dog/api/v2" \
LOYALTYDOG_API_TOKEN="your_token_here" \
python3 -m server
```

If the process starts without authentication errors, you're ready to wire it into a client.

## Next steps

<Card title="Connect a client" icon="plug" href="/mcp/clients">
  Step-by-step config for Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf.
</Card>