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How to Install the Tap MCP Server

Step-by-step guide to connecting Tap with Claude Desktop via MCP for AI-powered media planning.

Overview#

The Tap MCP (Model Context Protocol) server lets you connect Tap's media planning capabilities directly to Claude Desktop. Once configured, you can ask Claude to search inventory, build media plans, and manage campaigns — all through natural conversation.

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants like Claude connect to external tools and data sources. Think of it as giving Claude the ability to use Tap on your behalf.

Prerequisites#

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • A Tap account with an active subscription
  • Claude Desktop installed on your computer
  • An API key from your Tap dashboard

Installation#

Get your Tap API key

Navigate to Settings > API Keys in your Tap dashboard. Click Create API Key and copy the generated key.

Keep your API key secure. Never share it publicly or commit it to version control.

Open Claude Desktop settings

Open Claude Desktop and navigate to Settings > Developer > MCP Servers. Click Edit Config to open the configuration file.

Add the Tap MCP server

Add the following to your MCP configuration:

json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tap": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@anthropic-ai/tap-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "TAP_API_KEY": "your-api-key-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace your-api-key-here with the API key from Step 1.

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen Claude Desktop. You should see a tools icon indicating the Tap MCP server is connected.

Verifying the Connection#

After restarting Claude Desktop, try asking:

"Search for radio stations in the New York market"

If the MCP server is configured correctly, Claude will use Tap to search for available inventory and return results.

Available Tools#

Once connected, Claude can use these Tap capabilities:

ToolDescription
Search InventoryFind media platforms by market, type, and audience
Get Platform DetailsView pricing, audience data, and availability
Create Media PlanBuild a campaign plan with AI recommendations
Manage ProposalsCreate and send proposals to publishers

Troubleshooting#

Server not connecting#

If the MCP server doesn't appear in Claude Desktop:

  1. Verify your API key is correct
  2. Ensure you have Node.js 18+ installed (node --version)
  3. Check the Claude Desktop logs for error messages

Permission errors#

If you see "unauthorized" errors, verify that your API key has the correct scopes enabled in your Tap dashboard.

You're all set!

With the MCP server configured, you can now use Claude as your AI media planning assistant. Try asking it to help you plan a campaign!

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