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Getting started

There are two ways to connect MCPod. Use either, or both at once.

1. As a Claude Code buddy (Bluetooth)​

Over Bluetooth, MCPod connects as a Claude Hardware Buddy (a "Claude Code buddy"): it mirrors your Claude session and lets you answer Claude's permission requests from the device.

  1. Plug MCPod into USB. It wakes up and breathes blue.
  2. In the Claude desktop app, turn on Developer Mode: Help -> Troubleshooting -> Enable Developer Mode.
  3. Open Developer -> Open Hardware Buddy... and click Connect.
  4. Choose MCPod from the list (it shows up as Claude-MCPod-XXXX).
  5. The first time, enter the pairing code 123456. After that it reconnects on its own.

Now the light follows Claude:

  • blue - idle
  • orange - Claude is working
  • red, blinking - Claude is asking your permission

When it blinks red: tap the button to approve, hold it (about a second or two) to deny. You get a little sound and a light flourish either way.

Tip: hold the button for 10 seconds to reset it (it forgets the pairing).

2. As an MCP service (WiFi) - for any AI agent​

Over WiFi, MCPod exposes an MCP server. MCP is an open standard, so you can connect it to any MCP-capable AI agent - for example Claude Code, Claude Desktop, OpenAI Codex, Cursor, Cline, Zed or Windsurf - and then just ask it things in plain language.

  1. Open a serial console to MCPod. When plugged in, MCPod shows up as a USB serial port; open a terminal program on it.

    • Windows: find the port in Device Manager -> Ports (COM & LPT) - it is the entry that appears/disappears when you unplug and replug MCPod (named something like USB Serial Device (COM5) or USB JTAG/serial debug unit). Then open PuTTY (free): set Connection type: Serial, Serial line: COMx (your port), Speed: 115200, and click Open. (Tera Term, or the Arduino IDE Serial Monitor, work too.)
    • macOS / Linux: the port looks like /dev/tty.usbmodem* or /dev/ttyACM0; open it with screen /dev/ttyACM0 115200 (or use minicom).

    Press Enter: you should see the agent> prompt.

  2. Put it on your WiFi. At the agent> prompt, type:

    wifi_sta <your-wifi-name> <your-password>

    Then type wifi_status to see its IP address on the network.

  3. Add it to your AI client. For example, with Claude Code:

    claude mcp add --transport http mcpod http://<mcpod-ip-address>:18791/mcp_server

    (Other MCP clients have a similar "add server" setting - point it at the same URL.)

  4. Talk to it. That's all - now ask away.

Things you can say:

  • "MCPod, what's the temperature and humidity?"
  • "How are you doing - uptime and WiFi signal?"
  • "Turn your light green for ten seconds." / "Do a light show."
  • "Is Claude waiting for my approval right now?"

The device just answers your assistant on your local network; the natural conversation happens through the assistant.