Connect Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop by Anthropic has built-in MCP support. Once configured, you can ask Claude about your routes, drivers, stops, and analytics — and it calls Bodha Route Planner behind the scenes.

Time to set up: Under 2 minutes. No install, no dependencies.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
A Bodha Route Planner API key (generate one here)

Setup

Open the Claude Desktop config file

macOS: Open Terminal and run:

open ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json

If the file doesn’t exist, create it:

mkdir -p ~/.claude && echo '{}' > ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json
open ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Windows: Open File Explorer and navigate to:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

If the file doesn’t exist, create a new text file at that path with {} as its content.

Add the MCP server config

Replace the contents of the file with:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bodha-route-planner": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://mcp.bodha.run/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer bdk_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace bdk_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE with your actual API key.

Already have other MCP servers configured? Don’t replace the whole file. Add the "bodha-route-planner": { ... } block inside your existing "mcpServers" object:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "existing-server": { ... },
    "bodha-route-planner": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://mcp.bodha.run/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer bdk_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}

Restart Claude Desktop

Quit Claude Desktop completely and reopen it. The MCP server is loaded on startup, so a restart is required after any config change.

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation in Claude Desktop and type:

“What tools do you have from Bodha Route Planner?”

Claude should list the available tools (list_routes, list_stops, list_drivers, etc.). If it does, you’re connected.Now try a real question:

“Show me today’s routes”

Example conversations

Once connected, here are some things you can ask Claude:

What you type	What happens
”What’s happening today?”	Claude calls `list_routes` for today and summarizes your fleet’s status
”Which stops failed this week?”	Claude calls `list_stops` filtered by failed status and gives you a breakdown with reasons
”Compare this week to last week”	Claude calls `compare_periods` and gives you side-by-side metrics
”How is driver Alex performing?”	Claude calls `get_driver_performance` and shows metrics for that driver
”Find the delivery for 123 Oak Street”	Claude calls `search_stops` and returns matching stop details
”Any new orders in the inbox?”	Claude calls `list_orders` filtered to pending and tells you what’s waiting

Ask follow-up questions naturally. Claude remembers context within a conversation. Start with “Show me today’s routes” and then follow up with “Which ones have failed stops?” — Claude knows you’re still talking about today.

Troubleshooting

Claude doesn't mention any Bodha Route Planner tools

Make sure you restarted Claude Desktop after editing the config
Check the config file is valid JSON — a missing comma or quote breaks it
Verify the file location:
- macOS: ~/.claude/claude_desktop_config.json
- Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Open the config file and confirm the url is exactly https://mcp.bodha.run/mcp

Claude says 'connection failed' or 'server unavailable'

Check your internet connection
The first request may take 2–5 seconds (cold start). Wait and try again.
If the issue persists, check Bodha Route Planner status

Claude says 'unauthorized' when trying to use a tool

Your API key may be wrong or revoked.

Go to Settings → API Keys in Bodha Route Planner
Confirm your key is Active
If unsure, generate a new key, update the config, and restart Claude Desktop

Next steps

All 14 tools

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Scopes & security

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MCP Server

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Reference

Connect Claude Desktop

Connect Claude Desktop

Prerequisites

Setup

Example conversations

Troubleshooting

Next steps

All 14 tools

Scopes & security

​Connect Claude Desktop

​Prerequisites

​Setup

​Example conversations

​Troubleshooting

​Next steps

All 14 tools

Scopes & security

Connect Claude Desktop

Prerequisites

Setup

Example conversations

Troubleshooting

Next steps