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Claude Code Setup

Connect Claude Code to Swarm AI to control lab devices from your terminal.

Prerequisites​

  • Claude Code installed (npm install -g @anthropic/claude-code)
  • API key from Cheshire Labs
  • swarm-client running in your lab (devices already connected)

Configuration​

Option 1: Using the CLI​

Run:

claude mcp add swarm https://swarm.cheshirelabs.io/mcp --transport streamable-http

Then add your API key to the config file (see Option 2).

Option 2: Manual Configuration​

Edit your Claude Code config file:

Config file locations:

  • macOS/Linux: ~/.claude.json
  • Windows: %USERPROFILE%\.claude.json

Add Swarm AI to the mcpServers section:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "swarm": {
      "url": "https://swarm.cheshirelabs.io/mcp",
      "transport": "streamable-http",
      "headers": {
        "X-API-Key": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here with your actual API key.

Restart Claude Code​

Exit and restart Claude Code to load the configuration:

exit
claude

Verify Connection​

Ask Claude:

"What Swarm AI tools do you have access to?"

Claude should list device control, transporter, and teachpoint tools.

Then ask:

"What devices are connected to Swarm AI?"

You should see your lab's devices.

Example Usage​

Check devices:

> What devices are available in my lab?

Run operations:

> Shake the plate shaker at 800 RPM for 60 seconds

Multi-step workflows:

> Pick the plate from source_rack, shake it for 30 seconds at 500 RPM, then place it in destination_rack

What's Next?​