Carbon MCP — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
Carbon MCP gives AI clients access to Carbon components, tokens, icons, charts, docs, and code examples. Use it when building Carbon-based interfaces.
claude mcp add --transport http carbon-mcp https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcpWhat Carbon MCP does
Carbon MCP connects an AI client to a hosted Carbon Design System server through MCP. The agent can look up component details, colors, typography, tokens, icons, charts, usage guidance, and code examples before producing interface code.
The remote endpoint is https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcp. It works with Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, and Zed. IBMid sign-in is required. A client without OAuth support needs a token and session ID, so its authentication path matters before setup.
What it helps with
- find a suitable Carbon component
- look up Carbon color and type tokens
- build a UI from Carbon documentation
- choose a Carbon icon or chart
- check code against Carbon guidance
Example prompts for the agent
- Use Carbon MCP to find a suitable component for this settings page.
- Ask Carbon MCP for Carbon color and typography tokens for this interface.
- Use Carbon MCP to find a chart example and adapt it to my data.
How to install Carbon MCP
Platform CLI: remote server
claude mcp add --transport http carbon-mcp https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcpPlatform CLI: remote server
codex mcp add carbon-mcp --url https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcpConfig file
{
"mcpServers": {
"carbon-mcp": {
"url": "https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcp"
}
}
}Config file
{
"servers": {
"carbon-mcp": {
"type": "http",
"url": "https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcp"
}
}
}Platform CLI: remote server
gemini mcp add -t http carbon-mcp https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcpStep by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Carbon MCP
How do I install Carbon MCP in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add --transport http carbon-mcp https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcp, then sign in with your IBMid.
What does Carbon MCP do?
It gives an AI client Carbon documentation, component details, tokens, icons, charts, and code examples. The agent can use that material while creating an interface.
What is required to use Carbon MCP?
You need an MCP client that can connect to https://mcp.carbondesignsystem.com/mcp and an IBMid for sign-in. Clients without OAuth support require a token and session ID.
