Summary  
This chapter covers how to programmatically discover, inspect, and configure available functions on remote servers—enabling or disabling specific capabilities—and execute permission-based actions.

General domain of usage  
File management

After restarting **Claude Desktop**, return to the **Developer** tab. You'll see a list of **MCP servers** with their **status indicators**. If a server isn't running, it means there was a **setup issue**. Click on the server to view the **tools it provides**.

You can **enable or disable specific functions** based on your needs. It's best to keep only the functions you plan to use **active** to avoid unnecessary complexity.

You can now interact with **Claude Desktop** and use your installed **MCP server** to perform tasks like **file management**, **data access**, or other **server-specific actions**. Just ask Claude, and it will know **when and how** to use the right tools.

Don't worry, **Claude will ask for your permission** before doing anything. If there are any errors, it will **try a different approach** or **suggest a fix**.

Note

Erfahren Sie, wie Sie die Leistungsfähigkeit des MCP (Model Context Protocol) nutzen, um Claude AI mit Ihren alltäglichen Tools zu verbinden, Aufgaben zu automatisieren und komplexe Arbeitsabläufe zu vereinfachen. Dieser Kurs behandelt die Grundlagen von MCP-Servern, deren Einrichtung sowie die Interaktion mit Ihrer lokalen Umgebung. Sie lernen außerdem praxisnahe Anwendungsfälle kennen – von der Integration von Google-Diensten wie Gmail und Kalender bis hin zur Automatisierung von Excel-Analysen und PowerPoint-Erstellung mit Python und KI. Der Kurs richtet sich an technische und nicht-technische Anwender und unterstützt Sie dabei, mit minimalem manuellem Aufwand echte Produktivitätssteigerungen zu erzielen.

Learn how MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects AI agents to your tools, apps, and data. This section introduces the core ideas behind MCP servers, shows you how to get started, and walks you through practical ways to interact with your local environment using Claude Desktop.

Unlock the power of AI to streamline data analysis, automate Excel reports, and generate insightful summaries with minimal effort. Explore how MCP tools and Python scripts—combined with natural language prompts—can transform static files into dynamic dashboards and structured reports. From raw CSVs to well-organized deliverables, every step becomes faster, smarter, and hands-free thanks to AI-powered automation.

Explore how MCP can connect Claude AI to your Gmail and Google Calendar, enabling powerful task automation and communication workflows. Learn how to install and configure these servers, manage emails directly through AI, and discover the broader potential of MCP integrations beyond Google tools.

Interacting with MCP Servers

Awesome!

Interacting with MCP Servers