Set up the developer MCP server

When developing HubSpot apps or CMS web content in your IDE, you can install the HubSpot Developer MCP server via the CLI. The HubSpot Developer MCP server runs locally and provides your AI assistant with tools for streamlining app and CMS development tasks.

Prerequisites

Ensure you’re running version 8.2.0 or higher of the HubSpot CLI to access the latest set of supported MCP clients.

# Check your version
hs --version

# Install the latest version
npm install -g @hubspot/cli

You’ll also need one or more of the following supported clients installed:

Set up the server

Follow the steps below to set up the Developer MCP server.

VS Code configuration: if you’re installing the Developer MCP server for VS Code, you’ll need to ensure that the code command is installed in your PATH:

In VS Code, open the Command Palette with Cmd+Shift+P (macOS) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux).
Search for Shell command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH, and run it.

Run hs mcp setup

Run the setup command in your terminal:

hs mcp setup

Select a client

When prompted, select the clients you’d like to add the MCP server to. Use the arrow keys and spacebar to select your clients, then press Enter to proceed.

CLI prompt for selecting which client to install the HubSpot Developer MCP server for.

Choose whether to run in standalone mode

Next, choose whether you’d like to operate in standalone mode, which allows you to run the HubSpot MCP server without installing the HubSpot CLI globally on your system:

This mode is useful on managed or corporate machines where global npm installs are restricted.
Standalone mode will use npx @hubspot/cli instead of the installed hs command.

Enter y to use standalone mode, or N to use the HubSpot CLI globally. If you opt for using standalone mode, you can optionally pin a version of the CLI to stay on while using the MCP server. If left blank, you’ll always use the latest version.

CLI prompt for selecting whether to use standalone mode for the HubSpot Developer MCP Server.

A success message will appear once setup is complete.

Success message confirming HubSpot Developer MCP server setup is complete

Restart your client

If the client you selected is open, you may need to restart it to apply the changes.

You can verify that the MCP server has been added to your client by navigating to the client’s MCP settings, then looking for the HubSpotDev server. For example:

In Claude Code, run the /mcp command. You can then select HubSpotDev to view more information about its included tools and more.
In Cursor, navigate to Settings > Cursor Settings, then select Tools & MCP in the left sidebar. In the Installed MCP Servers section, you can view and manage the HubSpotDev server along with any other installed MCP servers.

Learn more about managing MCP servers in each supported client:

​Prerequisites

​Set up the server

Prerequisites

Set up the server