How to add Semiotic MCP to Claude Desktop

Render Semiotic charts, validate configs, and get chart recommendations via MCP tool calls. Paste the config into ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json and restart Claude Desktop.

Last updated June 14, 2026 · 2.7k★ · stdio · no auth

Claude Desktop config for Semiotic MCP

npx semiotic-mcp

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "semiotic-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "semiotic-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Setup steps

1Open Claude Desktop → Settings → Developer → Edit Config (this opens ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json).
2Paste the Semiotic MCP config below under the top-level "mcpServers" key.
3Fill in any placeholder secrets (API keys, paths) in the snippet.
4Save the file, then fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
5Open a chat and confirm Semiotic MCP's tools appear under the 🔌 tools menu.

Before you start

Node.js with npx available
An MCP client (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf)

What Semiotic MCP can do in Claude Desktop

renderChart

Render a Semiotic chart to static SVG. Pass { component, props }. Returns the SVG string plus a 'Render evidence' JSON block (mark counts, resolved axis domains, empty flag, annotation count, accessible name) or validation errors with fix suggestions.

renderInteractiveChart

Render a static-data chart as a ChatGPT Apps widget using the same server render path as renderChart, hydrating an iframe UI with fit, zoom, data, hover, and render-evidence controls.

getSchema

Return the prop schema for a specific component via { component }, or omit component to list all 47 chart schemas. Renderable components are marked [renderable].

suggestChart

Legacy sample-row recommender. Pass { data } with 1–5 sample objects plus optional intent/capability filters to get ranked chart suggestions.

suggestCharts

Capability-based recommender for bounded row data. Returns ranked chart suggestions with scores, reasons, caveats, import paths, and ready-to-use props.

suggestStreamCharts

Recommend realtime charts from a stream schema, throughput, and retention hints.

suggestDashboard

Build a multi-panel dashboard suggestion that covers distinct analytical intents.

suggestStretchCharts

Recommend audience-literacy stretch picks from an AudienceProfile.

Security

No API keys or authentication required. The server runs locally via stdio. HTTP mode (--http) supports MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS for production host-header allowlisting.

Semiotic MCP + Claude Desktop FAQ

Where is the Claude Desktop config file?

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Paste the Semiotic MCP config there under the "mcpServers" key and restart the client.

Is Semiotic MCP safe to use with Claude Desktop?

No API keys or authentication required. The server runs locally via stdio. HTTP mode (--http) supports MCP_ALLOWED_HOSTS for production host-header allowlisting.

Does it require an API key?

No. The server runs locally via stdio with no API keys or authentication required.

Can it run over HTTP instead of stdio?

Yes. Run `npx semiotic-mcp --http --port 3001`. Since 3.7.2 HTTP mode is stateless, so each request gets a fresh read-only server and it can autoscale on serverless hosts.

How many chart types does it know about?

It exposes schemas for 47 chart types via getSchema, spanning XY, categorical, network, geo, realtime, and value families. Charts marked [renderable] can be rendered through renderChart; realtime charts require a browser/live environment.

View repo Full Semiotic MCP page