Cursor MCP server don't work

[rotemassa123]

hey guys!

i’ve been trying several MCP servers, including the most basic one from the Cursor docs:

Cursor – Model Context Protocol

and i’ve been not able to succeed thus far.

for reason my UI looks like this:

and clicking the “+Add new global MCP server” opens an mcp.json file (global) instead of the nice pop up everybody else has been getting.

i tried everything. running the same command locally works, but for some reason cursor doesn’t seem to get it up and running.

i’m clueless and think it’s a bug within cursor. please help!

[T1000]

You have to really use a real server. As there are many different MCP servers Cursor shows how to configure it but not what to put inside as this depends on what MCP server you want.

Can you share what you are trying to use MCP for?

[deanrie]

Hey, try restarting Cursor, sometimes it helps.

[rotemassa123]

tried several times
why don’t i haave a nice beautiful UI like everyone else?

[T1000]

No, the server you use mcp-server is not a real server. thats just a sample name.

You have to decide which MCP you need and why you need it. Then install it and apply the correct name in the config file.

the config file is not the issue.

There are different MCP servers for different purposes.

Could you explain what you are trying to do with MCP?

[rotemassa123]

i’m to POC to myself what cursor MCP server is.
so i’d like to run a github MCP server or browser MCP server (ones that i get from smithery.ai)
could you provide instructions on how to do it?
if you could do a zoom call with me it’ll be great too. thanks!

[T1000]

Ok sure that will work so you have to install the github mcp server first or enter into config the smithery mcp server as smithery shows for cursor.

its best to ask those who created the MCP server how to set it up. I use different mcp servers.

[T1000]

So MCP server provides some tools.

Like github MCP server gives you access to Github account.

You install the MCP server or use a remote server like smithery.ai

Then you add the MCP server to your config and in Cursor settings it will show up.

If you see it in the settings but its not active you can activate it. And if its active but it says no tools you may need to press the refresh button there for the MCP server.

[rotemassa123]

i’ll try that right now.
thanks!

[danperks]

@dipinraj I’ve deleted your post as you’ve shown an API key in it.

Can you confirm that running that MCP server from the terminal works?

[dipinraj]

Yes, ran it from Terminal .. it works there.. but not in cursor

[T1000]

Do you see in cursor some error?
Check please Output Panel with Cursor MCP in Dropdown selected there.

Is there an option to start the server with debug mode or their logs to see what does actually happen?

There are several threads that show how mcp config works on windows best.

[dipinraj]

only place it shows error is in Cursor mcp window: “Failed to create client”

Iam only beginning to use Cursor, still if you can let me know how to enter debug mode.. i can check and let ou know

[T1000]

In this case it couldnt start the client. hmm there are several threads in the forum about MCP perhaps some are also for github and i have seen several for MCP on windows.. lots of solutions there.

[Mattchew]

Not working for me as well. This connection previously connected and has stopped connecting with no changes to connection details and cmd still running in background.

I’ve tryied disabling/enabling, refreshing connection and closing cursor client. Not working.

[T1000]

I highly suggest checking the forum there are many detalied threads that resolve such issues. specially with MCP on windows. i remember having seen threads on supabase too.

if you post issues you may need to provide more details for forum members to help you out. Like Cursor MCP log, then the MCP servers internal log why it exited or couldnt be started etc..

Without more detailed info its often hard to suggest solutions as there are really many possible causes.

[dipinraj]

One fine morning, this got working!