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

# Install in Claude Desktop

> Two-minute setup. Claude Desktop gains the Lavendly MCP on next launch.

## 1. Locate the config file

| OS      | Path                                                              |
| ------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------- |
| macOS   | `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` |
| Windows | `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`                     |

If the file doesn't exist, create it.

## 2. Add the Lavendly MCP server

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lavendly": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@lavendly/mcp"],
      "env": {
        "LAVENDLY_API_KEY": "lv_live_…"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

That's it. The server installs itself on first launch through `npx`; no
clone, no build.

## 3. Restart Claude Desktop

After restart, you'll see a tools indicator in the input box. Ask:

> "List my Lavendly workflows."

Claude calls the MCP server, returns your workflows, and offers to
create or render one for you.

## Pair it with a skill

The MCP gives Claude the tools. To get good results consistently,
correct call order, idempotency keys, cost-aware decisions, load a
Lavendly **skill** alongside the MCP. See
[Agent skills](/agent-skills/overview).

## A first conversation

Once installed, try this:

> Make me a 5-second video: a sleepy fox in a bookshop discovering an
> old map. Narrate it in a warm storyteller voice, "Some maps lead
> nowhere. This one led home." Add a soft acoustic underscore. Captions
> on. Send me the URL when it's done.

Claude works through six tool calls, workflow create → voiceover
attach → music attach → mix configure → render → poll, and returns the
final URL. The same workflow shows up on your canvas, fully editable, if
you want to keep iterating manually.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="No tools indicator after restart">
    Your config file likely has a JSON syntax error. Claude Desktop
    silently ignores invalid configs. Open the file in a JSON-aware
    editor.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tools listed but calls fail">
    Verify your API key, the skill emits a clear error message on the
    first call if `LAVENDLY_API_KEY` is missing or invalid.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="`spawn npx ENOENT`">
    Replace `"command": "npx"` with an absolute path: `which npx`.
    Common on macOS when Claude Desktop launches without a login shell.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>