MCP Server Setup on Windows: Reference Guide

Overview

This document summarizes key points and step-by-step instructions for setting up MCP servers on Windows, with a focus on the use of cmd and /c wrappers in configuration files. It is based on a real troubleshooting and research session.

1. Installing Prerequisites

Node.js: Download and install from https://nodejs.org/
Python 3.10+ (if using Python-based servers): https://www.python.org/downloads/
Add both to your PATH during installation.

2. Installing MCP Servers Globally

Open Command Prompt (CMD) as Administrator and run:

npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-memory
npm install -g @modelcontextprotocol/server-brave-search

(Install any other MCP servers you need.)

3. Using Absolute Paths in Configuration

Find your global npm modules path:

where node
npm root -g

Use these absolute paths in your config files.

4. Example MCP Server Configuration (with cmd and /c)

"sentiment-analysis": {
  "command": "cmd",
  "args": [
    "/c",
    "npx",
    "-y",
    "mcp-remote",
    "https://freemansel-mcp-sentiment.hf.space/gradio_api/mcp/sse",
    "--transport",
    "sse-only"
  ]
}

What does `cmd` and `/c` do?

cmd: Launches the Windows Command Prompt.
/c: Tells cmd.exe to execute the following command and then terminate.
This ensures the command runs in a Windows shell, which is important for compatibility and environment handling.

5. When to Use This Pattern

Use cmd and /c when you want to ensure a command runs in the Windows Command Prompt, especially for shell-specific syntax or command chaining.
For simple scripts, you can sometimes use node or npx directly, but cmd is the most compatible for complex or chained commands.

6. Windows CLI Wrapper Example

For a Windows-specific CLI wrapper (to expose PowerShell, CMD, or Git Bash as MCP tools):

win-cli-mcp-server

Install and configure:

npm install -g @simonb97/server-win-cli

Config example:

"windows-cli": {
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["-y", "@simonb97/server-win-cli"]
}

7. Tips and Troubleshooting

Always use absolute paths for both Node and server files.
Run Cursor/Claude Desktop as Administrator for best compatibility.
If you need environment variables, set them in the env section of your config.
If you get errors, try running the server directly in CMD to check for issues.

8. References

Conversation Summary

The use of cmd and /c is a Windows-specific wrapper to ensure commands run in a shell and terminate after execution.
This pattern is common in MCP server configs for Windows to maximize compatibility.
For more details or troubleshooting, see the references above or ask for help in the Cursor/Claude community forums.