MCP Integrations Changed How I Work (Here's My Setup)

What MCP actually is

Model Context Protocol is how AI tools like Claude connect to external services. Instead of copying data between apps or switching tabs constantly, Claude can talk directly to my databases, check deployment status, and interact with my project management tools.

It sounds technical, but the practical impact is simpler: less context switching, faster workflows, fewer mistakes from manually copying information between systems.

My current setup

Neon MCP for database operations. I can query my PostgreSQL databases directly from Claude. Check current schema, run queries, verify data - all in the same conversation where I'm writing code that interacts with that database.

When building a feature, I used to open TablePlus, write a query, switch back to my editor, remember what I learned, then write code. Now Claude checks the schema while implementing the feature. One conversation, no context loss.

Vercel MCP for deployments. Check build status, view logs, manage environment variables. When something goes wrong in production, I can investigate without leaving the conversation.

Linear MCP for project management. Create issues, update statuses, track work. Useful when a conversation leads to follow-up tasks - I can create the ticket immediately without breaking flow.

Google Drive MCP for document access. Pull in specs, briefs, reference materials when I need them.

The compound effect

Individual integrations are useful. Combined, they're transformative.

On a recent client project, I could ask Claude to check the current database schema (Neon), look at the related ticket (Linear), reference the design spec (Drive), implement the change, and verify the deployment (Vercel) - all in one continuous conversation.

Context flows naturally instead of fragmenting across twelve browser tabs. That continuity matters more than any individual tool.

Project-specific configurations

Different projects need different connections. My portfolio connects to one Neon database, client work connects to others.

I've set up configurations I can switch between. When working on NMO Digital, Claude knows about that database and that Vercel project. When switching to client work, the context changes accordingly.

This is particularly useful for freelance work where I'm juggling multiple projects. Clear separation between environments prevents mistakes.

The setup process

Configuring MCP isn't complicated, but it does require initial investment:

Install the relevant MCP servers. Most tools have official servers or community implementations.

Add configuration to your Claude Code or Cursor setup. Usually a JSON file with server endpoints and authentication.

Test the connections. Make sure Claude can actually access what it needs.

The time investment pays back quickly. Even a few hours of setup saves much more than that in ongoing workflow efficiency.

What I haven't connected yet

GitHub MCP exists but I haven't needed it as much - git operations in the terminal work fine for my workflow.

Slack and email integrations exist but I prefer keeping communication separate from development. Not everything needs to be connected.

The principle: connect what reduces friction, not everything that's possible.

The mindset shift

MCP changes how I think about AI assistance. It's not just about generating code - it's about having a collaborator with access to the same information I have.

Claude can verify assumptions, check live data, and catch issues that would require me switching contexts to discover. The conversation becomes more grounded in reality.

That's the value proposition: not just AI that writes code, but AI that understands your actual system and can reason about it.