> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.llmeasy.ru/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How to configure MCP in Cursor

> Understand Cursor MCP, project and global configuration, mcp.json, tool approval, and how MCP differs from model API setup.

## Short answer

Cursor MCP connects external tools and data sources to the AI workflow inside the editor. It is not model API configuration and does not replace an OpenAI-compatible Base URL.

In Cursor, MCP setup usually involves `mcp.json`, project or global settings, environment variables, and tool approval.

## When this matters

* You want Cursor to use external tools
* You need project-specific MCP server configuration
* You want to distinguish project MCP from global MCP
* You want to understand tool approval
* You think MCP can replace API Key / Base URL

## MCP vs model API

| Item        | Cursor MCP                           | OpenAI-compatible API                       |
| ----------- | ------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| Role        | Connect tools, data sources, context | Connect model provider                      |
| Main config | `mcp.json`, server, env, approval    | API Key, Base URL, Model ID                 |
| Main risk   | Tool permissions and data access     | Authentication, billing, model availability |

## Recommended practice

1. Confirm that you are adding tool capability, not a model provider.
2. Choose global or project MCP config according to Cursor docs.
3. Give the MCP server only the environment variables it needs.
4. Keep tool approval for tools that write files or access external services.
5. Debug model API setup and MCP setup separately.

## About LLMEasy

LLMEasy is the model API layer. Cursor MCP is the tool layer. You can use both, but they do not replace each other.

If your goal is to switch model routing, configure `https://www.llmeasy.ru/v1` and a **GPT Key group** model. If your goal is to let Cursor call external tools, configure MCP.

## Related docs

* [MCP vs API Key and Base URL](/en/faq/concepts/mcp-vs-api-key-base-url)
* [How to configure a custom OpenAI API in Cursor](/en/faq/cursor/custom-openai-api)
* [Cursor Rules, AGENTS.md, and .cursorignore](/en/faq/cursor/rules-agents-cursorignore)
* [How to configure an OpenAI-compatible API in Cline](/en/faq/cline/openai-compatible-api)

## References

* [Cursor MCP documentation](https://cursor.com/docs/mcp)
* [Cursor MCP markdown documentation](https://cursor.com/docs/mcp.md)