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Claude Desktop is the canonical MCP client. With the Podium MCP server connected, you can search products, manage taste profiles, execute purchases, check loyalty balances, and browse task bounties — all through natural conversation.

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Prerequisites

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Configuration

Edit your Claude Desktop config file:
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "podium": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/podium-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "PODIUM_API_KEY": "podium_live_sk_..."
      }
    }
  }
}
Use the absolute path to your compiled MCP server. Relative paths won’t resolve correctly when Claude Desktop launches the process.
Restart Claude Desktop after saving. You should see “podium” appear in the MCP tools panel (the hammer icon in the input area).

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Verify the Connection

Ask Claude:
“What Podium tools do you have access to?”
Claude should list the available tools: search_products, get_product, get_profile, update_profile, get_recommendations, check_points, create_checkout, and list_tasks.

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Example Conversations

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Product Discovery

“Find me the top-rated moisturizers under $30”
Claude calls search_products, formats the results, and presents options with prices and descriptions.

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Profile Management

“Update my skin profile — I have dry skin, I’m concerned about fine lines and dark spots, and I prefer fragrance-free products under $40”
Claude calls update_profile with the structured preferences, then calls get_recommendations to suggest matching products.

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Purchase Flow

“Buy the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, ship it to 123 Main St, San Francisco CA 94102”
Claude calls get_product to confirm details, then create_checkout with the shipping address. Returns the checkout session ID and total.

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Loyalty Check

“How many points do I have? What’s my lifetime earning total?”
Claude calls check_points and presents the balance, lifetime earned, and lifetime spent.

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Task Browsing

“Show me available bounties I could work on”
Claude calls list_tasks and formats open tasks with their reward amounts and requirements.

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Adding More Tools

The MCP server from the recipe ships with 8 tools, but you can extend it with any SDK method. The pattern is always the same: 
server.tool(
  'tool_name',
  { param: z.string().describe('Description') },
  async ({ param }) => {
    const result = await client.namespace.method({ param });
    return {
      content: [{ type: 'text', text: JSON.stringify(result, null, 2) }],
    };
  }
);
Rebuild with npx tsc, restart Claude Desktop, and the new tool appears automatically.

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Troubleshooting

IssueFix
Server not appearingCheck that the path in config is absolute and the JS file exists
”Connection refused”Ensure npx tsc compiled without errors
API errors in tool callsVerify your PODIUM_API_KEY is valid and not expired
Tools show but failCheck that the API key has permissions for the endpoint being called