DeepSeek MCP Server for Claude Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with DeepSeek in Claude Code

Pick it for explicit DeepSeek V4 controls plus model, balance, and in-memory conversation utilities.

• Generate single-turn or multi-turn DeepSeek chat responses
• List or reset conversation histories in the active process

Before you start: DeepSeek in Claude Code

• npx
• A DeepSeek API key for local mode
• An MCP-compatible client

This is the local stdio launch. A hosted HTTP alternative is documented at https://deepseek-mcp.ragweld.com/mcp and requires its own bearer token; it is not needed for this local configuration.

DeepSeek Claude Code configuration

1. Choose Claude Code configuration scope

   For DeepSeek MCP Server, open Project scope: .mcp.json at the repository root. Project JSON: merge into mcpServers; user scope: use the CLI.

2. Add DeepSeek MCP Server to Claude Code

   Use the deepseek-mcp-server entry below in mcpServers. Keep DeepSeek MCP Server's documented stdio connection fields and your other Claude Code entries.

3. Check DeepSeek MCP Server in Claude Code

   DeepSeek MCP Server: Inspect claude mcp list and /mcp status.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "deepseek-mcp-server": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "deepseek-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "DEEPSEEK_API_KEY": "<DeepSeek provider API key>"
      }
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json --scope project 'deepseek-mcp-server' '{"type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","deepseek-mcp-server"],"env":{"DEEPSEEK_API_KEY":"<DeepSeek provider API key>"}}'

DeepSeek tools available to Claude Code

DeepSeek's stored tool list documents 7 tools; compare it with Claude Code's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

chat_completion

For DeepSeek's chat_completion, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

completion

For DeepSeek's completion, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

create_response

For DeepSeek's create_response, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Create a stateless Responses API result with optional instructions, reasoning controls, and tools.

list_models

For DeepSeek's list_models, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Retrieve available DeepSeek model identifiers.

get_user_balance

For DeepSeek's get_user_balance, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Read account balance and availability without changing account state.

reset_conversation

For DeepSeek's reset_conversation, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

list_conversations

For DeepSeek's list_conversations, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

List conversation identifiers currently held in process memory.

DeepSeek: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting DeepSeek in Claude Code

• If DeepSeek MCP Server fails to start, check npx deepseek-mcp-server (Node.js/npm), the working directory, and Claude Code's selected scope; inspect claude mcp list and /mcp.
• DeepSeek MCP Server: check DEEPSEEK_API_KEY; keep credentials out of shared .mcp.json.
• DeepSeek MCP Server uses stdio here: Claude Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Conversation history is limited to the current process memory
• Known limitation: Provider credentials or a hosted bearer token are required
• Known limitation: Responses API tool appears in structured data but not the README tool list
• General Claude Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/claude-code guide.

Frequently asked questions