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Connect Claude Desktop

Connect Claude Desktop to the DigiCert® Private CA MCP server to ask questions about your Private CA environment.

Before you begin

Make sure that:

  • You are using a version of Claude Desktop that supports MCP servers.

  • You have the Service User Token ID and MCP connection details described in Prepare to connect an AI client.

  • Node.js 20.18.1 or above is installed and the npx command is available.

Connect to the MCP server

To connect Claude Desktop to the Private CA MCP server:

  1. In Claude Desktop, select Customize.

  2. Select Developer, and then select Edit Config.

  3. Open claude_desktop_config.json in a text editor.

  4. Add the Private CA MCP server details to the existing mcpServers object.

    If the file does not contain an mcpServers object, create one. Do not remove any existing configuration or MCP server entries.

    {
  "mcpServers": {
    "digicert-private-ca-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote@0.1.38",
        "https://mcp.digicert.com/private-ca",
        "--header",
        "x-api-key:<Your Service User Token ID>"
      ]
    }
  }
}

  5. Save claude_desktop_config.json.

  6. Completely exit and restart Claude Desktop.

  7. Go to Customize, Developer and confirm that digicert-private-ca-mcp appears under the available MCP servers.

Verify the connection

  1. Open a new chat in Claude Desktop.

  2. Enter a prompt such as:

    List the certificate authorities in my account.

  3. If prompted, approve the use of the Private CA MCP tool.

Claude Desktop retrieves and presents the Private CA information available to your Service User.

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