Claude Desktop SMS Setup with MCP

Step-by-step tutorial on connecting Claude Desktop to SMSRiver's Model Context Protocol server for interactive SMS testing.

claude_desktop_config.json

Claude MCP

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smsriver": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@smsriver/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "SMSRIVER_API_KEY": "sk_live_your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

claude_interaction.txt

REST API v1

Claude, check the latest verification codes received on +12025550102 and extract the 6-digit confirmation PIN.

Implementation Walkthrough

Locate Claude Desktop Config

On macOS: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`. On Windows: `%APPDATA%/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`.

Add SMSRiver Server Definition

Paste the NPX runner configuration and provide your secret API key.

Verify Tools in Claude UI

Look for the hammer icon in Claude Desktop showing the 8 available SMSRiver tools ready for execution.

Supported MCP Agent Tools

list_countries

alias: sms_list_numbers

Discover supported countries, inventory counts, and carrier capabilities by source type.

get_number_capabilities

alias: sms_get_capabilities

Check line types, SMS capabilities, carrier limitations, and rental costs for a phone number or ISO country.

create_test_inbox

alias: sms_create_inbox

Create an isolated synthetic test inbox for deterministic webhook integration testing without real carriers.

generate_test_sms

aliases: sms_generate_sms, sms_create_synthetic_message

Inject zero-carrier-cost synthetic SMS inbound events directly into webhook endpoints for CI/CD test automation.

simulate_delivery_failure

alias: sms_simulate_failure

Simulate carrier drops, 10DLC rejections, DND blocks, and queue timeouts to verify retry handling.

inspect_webhook_events

alias: sms_inspect_webhooks

Query recorded test events, delivery status, latency, and raw carrier webhook payloads within plan retention.

replay_test_event

alias: sms_replay_event

Replay an existing test event to re-trigger local webhooks or reproduce failed integration test cases.

get_usage_summary

alias: sms_get_usage

Inspect current billing plan, monthly quota, consumed requests, and remaining units across REST and MCP.