How to Setup MCP in Cline / Roo Code
Step-by-step setup guide for connecting Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to Cline / Roo Code by Open Source.
Configuration File: cline_mcp_settings.json
%APPDATA%\Code\User\globalStorage\saoudrizwan.claude-dev\settings\cline_mcp_settings.json
Example cline_mcp_settings.json Template
Open in Config Generator{
"mcpServers": {
"brave-search": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search"],
"env": { "BRAVE_API_KEY": "BSA_..." }
}
}
}Installation Steps
Locate cline_mcp_settings.json
Find the configuration file at %APPDATA%\Code\User\globalStorage\saoudrizwan.claude-dev\settings\cline_mcp_settings.json.
Add MCP server entries
Open the file and add your server definitions inside the configuration schema.
Set environment variables
Provide any required API keys, database URLs, or access tokens in the environment section.
Save and reload
Save cline_mcp_settings.json and hot-reload or restart Cline / Roo Code.
Verify in chat
Ask Cline / Roo Code to list tools or execute a task with the connected MCP server.
Cline / Roo Code Protocol Support
Stdio execution
SSE remote server support
Autonomous plan & act loops
Resource URI parsing
Custom system prompts
VS Code workspace folders
Instant hot reload in extension tab
Cline / Roo Code Setup FAQ
Where is the Cline / Roo Code MCP config file located?
On Windows: %APPDATA%\Code\User\globalStorage\saoudrizwan.claude-dev\settings\cline_mcp_settings.json. On macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json. On Linux: ~/.config/Code/User/globalStorage/saoudrizwan.claude-dev/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json.
Does Cline / Roo Code support MCP tools and stdio transports?
Cline / Roo Code supports stdio transports and supports autonomous tool calling.
How do I reload MCP servers in Cline / Roo Code?
Instant hot reload in extension tab