HowToCook-MCP Server for Claude Code: Setup & Config

What you can do with HowToCook-MCP in Claude Code

Useful when an assistant needs recipe details and restriction-aware weekly meal planning together.

• Find ingredients and preparation steps for a specific dish.
• Choose a meal combination for a group of one to ten people.

Before you start: HowToCook-MCP in Claude Code

• Node.js 16.0.0 or later
• npm or yarn
• An MCP-compatible client

For the Cursor npm configuration, the README instructs users to run npm i -g howtocook-mcp first to avoid client creation failures. Source builds and HTTP/SSE alternatives are also described. No required environment variables are stated.

HowToCook-MCP Claude Code configuration

1. Choose Claude Code configuration scope

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

2. Add HowToCook-MCP Server to Claude Code

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

3. Check HowToCook-MCP Server in Claude Code

   HowToCook-MCP Server: Inspect claude mcp list and /mcp status.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "HowToCook-mcp": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "howtocook-mcp"
      ],
      "env": {}
    }
  }
}

claude mcp add-json --scope project 'HowToCook-mcp' '{"type":"stdio","command":"npx","args":["-y","howtocook-mcp"],"env":{}}'

HowToCook-MCP tools available to Claude Code

HowToCook-MCP's stored tool list documents 5 tools; compare it with Claude Code's connected tool list, because the stored list is not a live check.

mcp_howtocook_getAllRecipes

For HowToCook-MCP's mcp_howtocook_getAllRecipes, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

mcp_howtocook_getRecipesByCategory

For HowToCook-MCP's mcp_howtocook_getRecipesByCategory, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

mcp_howtocook_recommendMeals

For HowToCook-MCP's mcp_howtocook_recommendMeals, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Suggest a weekly meal plan and rough shopping list using allergies, exclusions, and diner count.

mcp_howtocook_whatToEat

For HowToCook-MCP's mcp_howtocook_whatToEat, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Recommend a dish combination for the specified group size.

mcp_howtocook_getRecipeById

For HowToCook-MCP's mcp_howtocook_getRecipeById, review the permission request and arguments in Claude Code before approval.

Look up a recipe by name or identifier, including ingredients and cooking steps.

HowToCook-MCP: full stored tool descriptions

Troubleshooting HowToCook-MCP in Claude Code

• If HowToCook-MCP Server fails to start, check npx howtocook-mcp (Node.js/npm), the working directory, and Claude Code's selected scope; inspect claude mcp list and /mcp.
• HowToCook-MCP Server uses stdio here: Claude Code must keep the configured process running; protocol output belongs on stdout and diagnostics on stderr.
• Known limitation: Retrieving every recipe can use excessive assistant context.
• Known limitation: The documented recommendation range is limited to ten diners.
• General Claude Code troubleshooting lives in the /clients/claude-code guide.

Frequently asked questions