> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/integrations/connect-claude-desktop.md).

# Connect Claude Desktop

Install the Elevate A/B Testing extension in Claude Desktop, connect it with your API key, and confirm it can read your experiment data.

***

Claude Desktop connects to Elevate A/B Testing through a small extension you install on your computer. Once it is connected, you can ask Claude about your experiments in a normal chat and it reads your live data to answer.

This takes about two minutes. There is no code to write and no developer needed.

If you use Claude Code or Cursor instead, those connect a different way. See [Claude Code and Cursor](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/connect-claude-code-or-cursor.md).

***

### Before you start

| Requirement                                   | Detail                                                   |
| --------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Claude Desktop installed                      | The desktop app, not Claude in a browser                 |
| A computer                                    | macOS or Windows. Phones and tablets are not supported   |
| Your Elevate A/B Testing API key              | Generated in **Settings**, then **MCP**                  |
| Access to **Settings** in Elevate A/B Testing | To copy the key                                          |
| A plan                                        | MCP is available on every plan, with no upgrade required |

You need the API key in hand before you start, because Claude asks for it partway through the install. Get it first.

### Step 1: Copy your API key

1. Open Elevate A/B Testing and go to **Settings**.
2. Select **MCP** in the left sidebar.
3. In the **API key** section at the top, copy your key. It begins with `elv_`.

You get one key per store, and the same key works for every AI assistant you connect. If you have already connected another client, reuse that key rather than regenerating it. Regenerating breaks the connections you already have.

For more on how keys work, see [MCP Overview](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/mcp-overview.md).

### Step 2: Download the extension

1. Stay on the **MCP** page and scroll to **Connect your AI assistant**.
2. Select the **Claude Desktop** tab.
3. Select **Download extension**.

The version number and supported operating systems are shown next to the button. The file downloads as `elevate-ab-testing.mcpb`, usually to your Downloads folder.

If you want to inspect the extension before installing it, see [Read the source first](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/integrations/connect-claude-desktop#read-the-source-first) below.

### Step 3: Install it in Claude Desktop

1. Double-click the downloaded file. Claude Desktop opens and shows an install prompt.
2. Claude displays a security warning about the extension. This is expected and appears for every locally installed extension. See [About the security warning](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/integrations/connect-claude-desktop#about-the-security-warning) below for what it means.
3. Paste your API key when Claude asks for it.
4. Select **Install**.

Claude confirms the extension is installed. You should now see Elevate A/B Testing listed under **Settings**, then **Extensions**.

### Step 4: Confirm it is working

1. Start a new chat in Claude Desktop. An existing chat may not pick up the new connection.
2. Ask Claude about your experiments. Something plain works best for a first check, such as asking which experiments you currently have.
3. Claude should answer using data from your store, not from general knowledge.

If Claude says it has no access to your data or cannot find anything, go to [Troubleshooting](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/integrations/connect-claude-desktop#troubleshooting) below.

***

### About the security warning

When you install the extension, Claude warns you that it can access your computer and that the developer is not verified by Anthropic.

That warning appears for every locally installed extension, not only this one. Claude cannot inspect what an extension does once it is running, so it warns about what any program could in principle do rather than about anything specific to Elevate A/B Testing.

### Read the source first

The extension is three files, including one script of under 200 lines. It reads the messages Claude sends it, forwards them to Elevate A/B Testing over HTTPS, and returns the reply.

You can read it yourself before installing. Open Terminal on macOS or PowerShell on Windows and run:

```bash
tar -xOf ~/Downloads/elevate-ab-testing.mcpb server/index.js
```

Adjust the path if your browser saves downloads somewhere other than the Downloads folder.

### If you regenerate your API key

You do not need to reinstall the extension. Update the key inside Claude instead:

1. In Claude Desktop, go to **Settings**.
2. Select **Extensions**.
3. Select **Elevate A/B Testing**.
4. Replace the old key with the new one.

Every other client using the old key also stops working until you update it there too.

***

### Troubleshooting

#### Claude says it cannot access my Elevate A/B Testing data

**Likely cause:** The API key was not entered, was pasted incompletely, or has since been regenerated or revoked.

**How to confirm:** In Claude Desktop, go to **Settings**, then **Extensions**, then **Elevate A/B Testing**, and check the key that is saved there. Compare it against the key shown in Elevate A/B Testing under **Settings**, then **MCP**.

**Fix:** Paste the current key from the app. Copy the whole value including the `elv_` prefix.

#### Claude answers from general knowledge instead of my data

**Likely cause:** You are in a chat that was open before the extension was installed.

**How to confirm:** Start a new chat and ask the same question.

**Fix:** Use a new chat. Extensions are picked up when a chat begins.

#### The downloaded file does nothing when I double-click it

**Likely cause:** Claude Desktop is not installed, or your computer does not associate the `.mcpb` file type with it.

**How to confirm:** Open Claude Desktop manually and check that it launches.

**Fix:** Install Claude Desktop first, then double-click the file again. If it still does not open, open Claude Desktop, go to **Settings**, then **Extensions**, and install the file from there.

#### The connection stopped working with no changes on my end

**Likely cause:** Someone on your team regenerated or revoked the API key. One key is shared across the whole store, so a regeneration by any team member disconnects everyone.

**How to confirm:** Compare the key in Claude against the one in **Settings**, then **MCP**.

**Fix:** Update Claude with the current key using the steps in [If you regenerate your API key](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/integrations/connect-claude-desktop#if-you-regenerate-your-api-key).

#### I pasted the JSON configuration and Claude Desktop rejected it

**Likely cause:** You used the setup meant for Claude Code and Cursor.

**Fix:** Claude Desktop does not accept the remote server configuration format. Use the extension on this page instead.

***

### FAQs

#### Do I need a developer for this?

No. The install is a download, a paste, and a click.

#### Can my whole team connect?

Yes. One API key covers the store, and each person installs the extension on their own computer using that same key.

#### Does this change anything on my store?

No. The connection is read-only. Claude can read your experiment data, but it cannot start, pause, or end an experiment, and it cannot change any setting. Your theme, your storefront, and what visitors see are all untouched.

#### I manage several stores. How does that work?

Each store has its own API key. The Claude Desktop extension connects to one store at a time. To switch stores, replace the key in Claude under **Settings**, then **Extensions**, then **Elevate A/B Testing**. To work with several stores side by side, use [Claude Code or Cursor](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/connect-claude-code-or-cursor.md), which can hold one connection per store.

#### Which plans include this?

All of them. MCP is available on every Elevate A/B Testing plan.

#### Does the extension work on Linux?

No. The extension supports macOS and Windows only. On Linux, connect through [Claude Code or Cursor](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/connect-claude-code-or-cursor.md) instead.

#### What can I actually ask it?

Anything about your experiments and store data, in plain language. For example: which experiments are running, how each variation is performing, whether a result is significant yet, how results differ by device or traffic source, which products drove the difference, or how your store-wide funnel looks. Claude can only read data, so it cannot start, pause, or change anything. For the full list of what it can read, see [What the assistant can access](https://docs.elevateab.com/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/mcp-overview#what-the-assistant-can-access).

***

### Next steps

* [MCP Overview](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/mcp-overview.md): How keys, clients, and access work
* [Claude Code and Cursor](/elevate-helpcenter/mcp/connect-claude-code-or-cursor.md): Connect a different client
* [Reports Overview](/elevate-helpcenter/analyze/reports/reports-overview.md): Understand the data Claude is reading