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A local MCP server is a small program Isa runs on your own Mac. Before it can start, your Mac needs the helper tool that fetches and runs the server’s package. This guide walks you through checking for that tool, installing it if it’s missing, and installing the server in Isa.

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Prerequisites

1

Find out which helper tool the server needs

Open the server’s page and look at the command it runs — for example npx -y apple-mail-mcp. The first word of the command names the helper tool:Most local servers use npx, so the rest of this guide uses Node.js as the example.
2

Check whether it's already installed

Open Terminal — press ⌘ Space, type Terminal, and press Return. Then run:
For uv, run uvx --version instead.
A version number like v22.14.0 means the tool is installed — skip ahead to the last step.
command not found means it’s missing — continue to the next step.
3

Install the missing tool

Node.js is free. Download the macOS installer from nodejs.org and run it like any other installer. For uv, follow the install instructions at docs.astral.sh/uv.When the installer finishes, open a new Terminal window and run the check from the previous step again to confirm.
4

Install the server in Isa

Open the server in the Isa Hub, fill in the values it asks for — a folder to work in, an account, a key — and install it. Its tools become available to the Primary Agent in Patient Chat: just ask for something the server can do.The first time the server starts, the helper tool downloads its package, so the first request needs an internet connection and takes a moment longer.

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Next

Local vs. remote MCP servers

Understand where an MCP server runs and what that means for your data.

Isa Hub

Browse and install everything the community has published.

Patient Chat

Put the server’s tools to work with the Primary Agent.