How can I tell if MCP servers in global json are working?

Discussion
1

When I have MCP servers defined in a global ~/.cursor/mcp.json file, how can I tell they are enabled, working, etc…?

1 Like
2

Hey, you can view all your connected servers in the Cursor settings. Use the shortcut Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + J and go to the MCP tab.

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3

I’m on Cursor 0.46.11 and currently this only seems to show servers if they are added directly through this UI. If I create a ~/.cursor/mcp.json file with the server information like the snippet below they don’t appear in the UI.

{
    "mcpServers":
    {
        "obsidian-mcp":
        {
            "command": "npx",
            "args":
            [
                "-y",
                "@smithery/cli@latest",
                "run",
                "obsidian-mcp",
                "--config",
                "{\"vaultPath\":\"/Users/■■■/Documents/Obsidian Vault\"}"
            ]
        },
        "sequential-thinking":
        {
            "command": "npx",
            "args":
            [
                "-y",
                "@smithery/cli@latest",
                "run",
                "sequential-thinking",
                "--config",
                "{}"
            ]
        },
        "@smithery-ai-puppeteer":
        {
            "command": "npx",
            "args":
            [
                "-y",
                "@smithery/cli@latest",
                "run",
                "@smithery-ai/puppeteer",
                "--config",
                "{}"
            ]
        }
    }
}
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4

I’m attempting the same method and not seeing MCP Servers populated. Using Cursor 0.45.17 on macOS.

5

I think they should still show in UI under cursor settings MCP. But I haven’t had luck getting even json file to work for individual projects consistently. I’ve had better luck adding entries via UI.

6

Ye we need to work on mcp features add some native mcps that u just click install one click install. things like persistent memory or github or pc control browser control files control native one click install mcp.

7

This appears to only be a new feature from 0.47.X and onward, after updating to that version there is an option to add global mcp servers which does resolve to the mcp.json in the user’s home directory .cursor folder.

8

I was using the older version .46x and added the MCP SSE url from composio and had no issue. when i updated to .475 and I add a global MCP server it just throws me into a blank JSON file. I’m lost. Can you guide me?

9

Check out the Cursor docs here on the expected format for this json.

For each MCP, I found that Smithery helped provide good snippets on how to add that to Cursor.

After editing and saving the file with several MCP servers, return to settings. I could then see the servers I added and verify the tools they had were discovered. The Json I had at the top of this thread is a good example of this format with several servers.

So far seems to have worked well. The one bummer so far has been I haven’t found a great way to add an MCP for Obsidian for Cursor.

10

Thanks for this, it saved me :rofl: