> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theprivateclubs.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Install Private Clubs

> Add the Private Clubs MCP server to Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Grok, Perplexity, OpenClaw, Hermes or any other AI app

Private Clubs runs its MCP server at one address:

```text theme={"system"}
https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp
```

Add it under the server key `private-clubs`, with the display name Private Clubs. The server uses Streamable HTTP. Free, no account or API key needed. For pictures of each step, see the [setup page](https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp).

## Use the setup line

Paste this line into your AI app:

```text theme={"system"}
Set up the Private Clubs MCP for me: read https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp/setup.md and follow the steps for this app
```

Your app reads the setup steps on theprivateclubs.com and follows the section for itself.

* **Agent apps** (Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, OpenClaw and Hermes) show you each command or config change and run it once you agree. They add the server beside your other MCP servers and keep them.
* **Chat apps** (Claude, ChatGPT, Grok and Perplexity) cannot add a connector themselves, so they tell you the clicks.

## Choose your app

To set up Private Clubs by hand, pick your app. The [setup page](https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp) shows each app in three steps:

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Frame>
    <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-1-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=93748af8fcac5e29f84a8db2b2d5abbc" alt="Step 1 on the setup page: get the plugin or copy the address" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-1-light.png" />

    <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-1-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=d7fe3e91b39ee84d7cba75687a57d1ba" alt="Step 1 on the setup page: get the plugin or copy the address" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-1-dark.png" />
  </Frame>

  <Frame>
    <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-2-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=1067597e03374e84179a4a545a3faef6" alt="Step 2 on the setup page: add it to your AI app" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-2-light.png" />

    <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-2-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=7cc1c4ab2034615adfd8428f9e909ba8" alt="Step 2 on the setup page: add it to your AI app" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-2-dark.png" />
  </Frame>

  <Frame>
    <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-3-light.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=1be076cee6ffdbcd24cf4983d9a607ea" alt="Step 3 on the setup page: connect it" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-3-light.png" />

    <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/private-clubs-2371e7e2/N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k/images/step-3-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=N2AM5Z4fq7JuI00k&q=85&s=d3ecb2db2d03d533d4b3d9706fa746dc" alt="Step 3 on the setup page: connect it" width="628" height="418" data-path="images/step-3-dark.png" />
  </Frame>
</Columns>

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude">
    Works on every Claude plan. Free holds one custom connector. On Team and Enterprise, an owner adds it in **Organization settings > Connectors**.

    **With the plugin**

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Download the plugin">
        Download [`private-clubs.claude-plugin.zip`](https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp/private-clubs.claude-plugin.zip). It includes the Private Clubs skill and the MCP connection.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Upload it to Claude">
        Open **Customize > Plugins**, choose **Add > Upload plugin** and upload the ZIP.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Open the Connectors tab">
        Open the plugin's **Connectors** tab and select **Connect**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add the connector">
        Select **Add**. Claude detects that no sign-in is needed.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Connect">
        Select **Connect** again.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Use it in a chat">
        In a chat, press **Use** on the plugin's connector.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    **As a custom connector**

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the address">
        `https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp`
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add a custom connector">
        Open **Customize > Connectors**, select **+**, then **Add custom connector**. Name it Private Clubs, paste the address and select **Continue**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Choose No sign in">
        Select **Add**, then ask Claude about a club.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Added Clubs before? Replace that older entry with Private Clubs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="ChatGPT">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the address">
        `https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp`
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add a custom MCP server">
        Go to [chatgpt.com/plugins](https://chatgpt.com/plugins), select **+**, then **Add custom MCP server**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Create the plugin">
        Name it Private Clubs, paste the address, tick **I understand and want to continue**, then select **Create as a plugin**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start asking">
        Private Clubs tools are then available in ChatGPT, free and without an account.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Added Clubs before? Replace that older entry with Private Clubs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    Needs Claude Code. User scope adds it to every project.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Run this in your terminal">
        ```bash theme={"system"}
        claude mcp add --transport http private-clubs --scope user https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Ask about clubs">
        Start Claude Code. `/mcp` shows `private-clubs` connected.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Prefer the plugin? Upload the Claude plugin in Claude, as the Claude tab shows. The plugin syncs to Claude Code on the same account.

    Added `clubs` before? Run `claude mcp remove clubs` first.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Codex">
    The Codex CLI, IDE extension and ChatGPT desktop app share this setup.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Run this in your terminal">
        ```bash theme={"system"}
        codex mcp add private-clubs --url https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Ask about clubs">
        Start Codex and ask about a club.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    **In the ChatGPT desktop app:** open **Settings > MCP servers**, then **Add server**. Name it `private-clubs`, choose Streamable HTTP, paste the address, then **Save** and restart.

    **With the plugin:** download [`private-clubs.codex-plugin.zip`](https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp/private-clubs.codex-plugin.zip) and add the downloaded plugin in Codex. Start a new session to use Private Clubs.

    Added `clubs` before? Run `codex mcp remove clubs` first.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Cursor">
    Needs the Cursor app. The link opens it.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Add to Cursor">
        Select [Add to Cursor](cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=private-clubs\&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy50aGVwcml2YXRlY2x1YnMuY29tL2FwaS9tY3AifQ%3D%3D).
      </Step>

      <Step title="Ask about clubs">
        Open a chat in Cursor and ask about a club.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    **By hand:** add the `private-clubs` server inside `mcpServers` in `~/.cursor/mcp.json`, beside any servers already there. Create the file if it is missing.

    ```json ~/.cursor/mcp.json theme={"system"}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "private-clubs": {
          "url": "https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp"
        }
      }
    }
    ```

    **With the plugin:** extract [`private-clubs.cursor-plugin.zip`](https://www.theprivateclubs.com/mcp/private-clubs.cursor-plugin.zip) to `~/.cursor/plugins/local/private-clubs`. Reload Cursor and confirm Private Clubs under **Customize**.

    Added `clubs` before? Replace that older entry with `private-clubs`.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Grok">
    Every Grok user can add it. Business and Enterprise admins add it for their team first.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the address">
        `https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp`
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add a custom connector">
        Go to [grok.com/connectors](https://grok.com/connectors), select **New Connector**, then **Custom**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Paste the address">
        Paste the address you copied.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start asking">
        Ask Grok about a club. Private Clubs tools are then available in Grok, free and without an account.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Added Clubs before? Replace that older entry with Private Clubs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Perplexity">
    On Enterprise, an admin turns on member connectors first.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Copy the address">
        `https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp`
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add an MCP connector">
        Open **Plugins** in the sidebar, select **Add custom**, **Connector**, then **Add MCP connector**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Add and turn it on">
        Choose **Remote**, name it Private Clubs, paste the address and pick Streamable HTTP. Set Authentication to **None** and tick the box. Select **Add**, then select the card to turn it on.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Start asking">
        Private Clubs tools are then available in Perplexity, free and without an account.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    No **Plugins** in your sidebar? Use **Customize > Connectors**.

    Added Clubs before? Replace that older entry with Private Clubs.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenClaw">
    Needs OpenClaw, or use **Control UI > Settings > MCP > Add server**.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Run this in your terminal">
        ```bash theme={"system"}
        openclaw mcp add private-clubs --url https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp --transport streamable-http
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Check the connection">
        ```bash theme={"system"}
        openclaw mcp doctor private-clubs --probe
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Added `clubs` before? Run `openclaw mcp remove clubs` first.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Hermes">
    Needs Hermes Agent. The server goes in `~/.hermes/config.yaml`.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Add this to your config">
        ```yaml ~/.hermes/config.yaml theme={"system"}
        mcp_servers:
          private-clubs:
            url: "https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp"
        ```
      </Step>

      <Step title="Reload">
        Run this in a running Hermes session:

        ```text theme={"system"}
        /reload-mcp
        ```
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    Added `clubs` before? Replace that older entry with `private-clubs`.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

After you install Private Clubs, [check it worked](#check-it-worked).

## Another app

Add a remote MCP server in your app's settings with these values:

| Setting | Value |
| - | - |
| Name | Private Clubs |
| Server key | `private-clubs` |
| Address | `https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp` |
| Transport | Streamable HTTP |
| Authentication | None |

## Replace an older entry

Added `clubs` before? It is the same server under an earlier name. Replace it with `private-clubs`, so your app does not show the tools twice.

In apps with a command line, remove the old entry first, then add Private Clubs as your app's tab shows:

```bash theme={"system"}
claude mcp remove clubs
codex mcp remove clubs
openclaw mcp remove clubs
```

In Cursor and Hermes, replace the `clubs` entry in the config file with the `private-clubs` entry. In Claude, ChatGPT, Grok and Perplexity, replace the older connector with Private Clubs.

## Check it worked

Start a new session if your app needs one, then ask:

```text theme={"system"}
Search clubs in Florida
```

The `search_clubs` tool answers with clubs and a link to each profile. No Private Clubs tools? See [Troubleshooting](/mcp/troubleshooting#private-clubs-tools-do-not-appear).

## Call the server without an app

You can call the server from a terminal. It is stateless, so a tool call needs no session and no `initialize` step. Send JSON-RPC over POST:

```bash theme={"system"}
curl -X POST https://www.theprivateclubs.com/api/mcp \
  -H "content-type: application/json" \
  -H "accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/list"}'
```

The answer is JSON that lists the five tools and their input schemas. To run a tool, send `tools/call` with the tool's `name` and its `arguments` in `params`. A GET request returns 405, because the server answers POST only.

Next, see each tool's parameters in [Available tools](/mcp/tools), or fix a problem in [Troubleshooting](/mcp/troubleshooting).


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