Skip to main content

Claude Code Setup

Claude Code is the more technical Claude-based path for Automation Agent.

If you want to use it inside the desktop app, install Claude Desktop first and then use the Code tab.

This page is for the Codex / Claude Code mode in the Automation Agent panel, which uses the panel-managed local HTTP MCP server.

Claude Desktop Code tab

Important clarification:

  • the Claude Desktop app currently has three tabs: Chat, Cowork, and Code
  • the Code tab is Claude Code running inside the Desktop app
  • Claude Code is also available outside the Desktop app, including the terminal and IDE integrations
  • the Chat tab uses the separate Claude Desktop local-extension path
  • the Cowork tab is currently not a supported local Automation Agent workflow

For most non-technical users, the current recommended Claude path is now:

This page remains useful for users who explicitly want the Claude Code workflow, whether they use it in the Code tab of the Desktop app, in the terminal, or through IDE integrations.

What You Need​

For the productive Claude Code workflow, three things need to be true:

  1. the local Automation Agent MCP server is available
  2. Claude Code has an MCP server entry for Automation Agent
  3. Claude has the Automation Agent Claude Skill installed

The current panel workflow now covers both parts:

  • MCP configuration for Claude Code
  • access to the generated automation-agent-claude-skill.zip artifact for Claude skill installation

Best Setup Path​

The preferred setup path is from inside the panel:

  1. open the MCP Server tab
  2. start or connect MCP
  3. open the Agent Setup section
  4. use Set Up in the Claude Code card to install or update the MCP config
  5. open the Claude skill export from the panel and install automation-agent-claude-skill.zip in Claude under Customize > Skills
  6. restart Claude Code
  7. return to the panel and verify the status

Important:

  • use the panel in Codex / Claude Code mode
  • that mode uses the panel-managed HTTP MCP server
  • this is different from Claude Desktop Chat, which uses a client-launched local stdio runtime

The Claude Skill is the guidance layer. It teaches Claude how to use Automation Agent correctly, including when to inspect first, how to author valid DSL, and how to avoid drifting into invented function names or argument shapes.

Where The MCP Config Lives​

For Claude Code, the same config model applies in the terminal and in the Code tab of the Claude Desktop app.

The panel currently installs Claude Code using user scope in:

~/.claude.json

The relevant Automation Agent entry looks like:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "automation_blocks": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "http://127.0.0.1:53125/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Scope Notes​

Claude Code supports multiple MCP scopes:

  • local: stored in ~/.claude.json under the current project path
  • project: stored in .mcp.json in the project root
  • user: stored in ~/.claude.json and available across projects

For now, the Automation Agent panel writes the safer user-scope entry so users do not need to manage project-specific Claude config files manually.

Where The Claude Skill Comes From​

The Automation Agent panel also ships the generated Claude skill export:

automation-agent-claude-skill.zip

Use the panel workflow to reveal or open the Claude export artifacts, then install that ZIP in Claude via:

  1. Customize
  2. Skills
  3. +
  4. Upload a Skill

The same Claude Skill package is used as the guidance layer for Claude surfaces that support skill upload, including Claude Code.

If Claude Code Was Already Open​

Restart Claude Code after installing or updating the MCP config or the Claude Skill. Otherwise it may continue using the previous MCP state or older skill instructions.