Cline

Cline MCP Setup: cline_mcp_settings.json for Local and Remote Servers

How do I add an MCP server to Cline?

Add the server under mcpServers in cline_mcp_settings.json. In the IDE extension, open it from the MCP Servers icon, the Configure tab, then Configure MCP Servers. Use command and args for local servers, or url with type streamableHttp for remote servers.

Where the config file lives

IDE extension: Cline panel, MCP Servers icon in the top toolbar, Configure tab, then Configure MCP Servers.
CLI: ~/.cline/data/settings/cline_mcp_settings.json. Override it with the CLINE_MCP_SETTINGS_PATH environment variable.
CLI wizard: run cline mcp to list and manage servers.

Add a local (STDIO) server

cline_mcp_settings.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "local-server": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/server.js"],
      "env": {
        "API_KEY": "your_api_key"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

Add a remote server

If you leave out type, Cline uses the legacy sse transport. Set type to streamableHttp for the recommended transport. In the IDE you can also use the Remote Servers tab and pick Streamable HTTP.

cline_mcp_settings.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "remote-server": {
      "type": "streamableHttp",
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer your-token"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

Auto-approve MCP tools

The autoApprove array lists tools Cline can call without asking. Keep it to safe tools.

Manage and troubleshoot

In MCP settings you can enable or disable servers, restart them, set request timeouts and remove them.
Server will not connect: check the command or URL and the server process.
Auth errors: recheck API keys, tokens and headers.
Store secrets in environment variables, not in plain config.

Get Cline settings changes by email

When a setting, flag or permission rule in this guide changes, it goes in the weekly AgentAtlas update, checked against the vendor docs. One email a week.

Sources

Cline Docs: Adding and Configuring MCP Servers Cline Docs: Config

More on Cline

Cline standards support

More Cline guides

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Reviewed Oct 13, 2026. Settings change often; the linked vendor docs are the source of truth.