DefDex in Claude Desktop

Bridge the remote server into the desktop app.

Claude Desktop reads MCP servers from its config file. DefDex uses an API key header, so the desktop app connects through the mcp-remote bridge (Node.js 18+).

1. Open the config

In Claude Desktop, open Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json.

2. Add DefDex

claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "defdex": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://app.defdex.io/mcp", "--header", "Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"],
      "env": { "AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}

Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your key. Keep Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER} as one argument with no space after the colon; the bridge fills it from env. This file now holds your key, so don’t share or commit it.

3. Restart and verify

Quit and reopen Claude Desktop. DefDex appears under the tools menu in a new chat.

4. Try it

Use DefDex to compare Lockheed Martin's and RTX's obligated DoD awards in FY2025, with sources.

Claude on the web

Custom connectors on claude.ai sign in with OAuth, which DefDex doesn’t offer yet. Use Claude Desktop or Claude Code for now.

Troubleshooting

DefDex doesn’t appear. Check the JSON is valid and that npx works in a terminal, then restart the app.
401 Unauthorized. Check the AUTH_HEADER value starts with Bearer and the key isn’t revoked.