Claude Desktop MCP server for finding people

Before you start

You need an API key. Create one in the API page - it is shown once, so keep it somewhere before you close the tab. A new account comes with 500 free credits, which is enough to try this properly before deciding anything.

Where the config lives: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json on macOS, %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json on Windows.

Setting it up

1. 1

   Open the config file

   Settings, then Developer, then Edit Config. That reveals the file above.

2. 2

   Add the server

   The desktop app launches MCP servers as local processes, so a remote one is reached through the mcp-remote bridge. It needs Node installed; nothing else.

   ConfigCopy

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "refolk": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "-y",
           "mcp-remote",
           "https://www.refolk.ai/api/mcp",
           "--header",
           "Authorization: Bearer rfk_live_your_key_here"
         ]
       }
     }
   }

3. 3

   Restart the app

   Quit it fully rather than closing the window, then open it again.

Check it worked. The tools icon in the message box lists four Refolk tools. Ask for a shortlist and approve the call.

What Claude Desktop can do once it is connected

• refolk_search_people - Search for people in plain English (~10 reserved, reconciled down).
• refolk_filter_people - Search for people with exact filters (1 credit).
• refolk_plan_filters - Turn a description into a filter set (1 credit).
• refolk_credit_balance - Check the credit balance (free).

Two of the four spend credits, and both say so in the description the model reads, so it can tell you what a search will cost before it runs one. Nothing here writes: there is no tool that sends a message or changes your account.

The MCP overview has more on what to ask it, and the API reference documents the same searches as plain HTTP if you would rather call them from your own code.