All integrations/Claude Desktop30s setupeasy

Hooklayer for Claude Desktop

Edit your Claude Desktop config (claude_desktop_config.json) to add Hooklayer as an MCP server. One JSON block + your hl_live_ Bearer key + restart Claude Desktop = 7 viral-content tools (analyze_account, score_hook, viral_remix, trend_pulse, find_viral_template, match_voice, predict_virality) instantly callable from any chat.

Get free API key Try the playground first

What works in Claude Desktop

All 7 Hooklayer tools
OAuth 2.1 or Bearer auth
Streamable HTTP transport
Auto tool discovery
recommended_chain auto-firing

Setup (30s)

Config file: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows)

JSONCopy + paste

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hooklayer": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote@0.1.38",
        "https://hooklayer.dev/api/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization:Bearer hl_live_..."
      ]
    }
  }
}

1
Get your API key
Sign up at hooklayer.dev/auth/signup. Free tier mints an hl_live_ key with 100 lifetime credits. No card required.
2
Open the config file
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json. Create it if missing.
3
Paste the JSON
Paste the config snippet above. Replace hl_live_... with your real key from step 1.
4
Restart Claude Desktop
Quit completely (don't just close the window). Reopen. Look for "hooklayer" in the connector list — should show 7 tools.

Example prompts for Claude Desktop

Paste any of these to see Hooklayer respond live.

Analyze a TikTok creator

Use Hooklayer to analyze @humphreytalks on TikTok. Show me the viral_dna_signals, replicability_signals, and originality_signals arrays with cited evidence, plus the would_fail_because counterfactual.

Expected: analyze_account returns viral DNA scores 0-100 each, 3-5 evidence-cited signals per dimension, and a 1-sentence counterfactual naming the non-portable element.

Score a draft hook before publishing

Score this hook with Hooklayer: "3 things every Gen Z investor needs to know". Show me the signals[] array, the closest calibration anchor, and the would_fail_because field.

Expected: score_hook returns 0-100 score paired with 6 sub-signals (specificity, emotional_stake, scroll_stop_velocity, credibility_signal, pattern_freshness, share_trigger) each with cited evidence.

Fire the recommended_chain auto-fire

Analyze @herfirst100k on TikTok and then execute the recommended_chain — fire match_voice, trend_pulse, and viral_remix in order using the parameters Hooklayer pre-filled.

Expected: Demonstrates the agentic chaining pattern. One prompt fires 4 tool calls in sequence; you see 4 structured tool outputs in one conversation.

Frequently asked

Do I need Claude Pro for Hooklayer?

No. Hooklayer works on Claude free, Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise. Free Claude users use the mcp-remote bridge (shown in the config above) which transports HTTP MCP through Claude Desktop. Pro+ users can also use the native HTTP connector path.

Why does the config use npx and mcp-remote?

Claude Desktop's free tier expects stdio MCP servers (local processes). mcp-remote is a 30-line bridge that runs locally via npx, connects to Hooklayer's remote HTTP MCP endpoint, and proxies the protocol. mcp-remote@0.1.38 is pinned for supply-chain hygiene.

I added the config but Hooklayer doesn't show up in Claude.

Three things to check: (1) you fully quit Claude Desktop (not just closed the window — use Cmd+Q on macOS, File > Exit on Windows), (2) the JSON is valid (no trailing commas, valid Authorization header), (3) your hl_live_ key is correct — paste it into the playground at hooklayer.dev/playground to verify.

Can I use OAuth instead of a Bearer key?

Yes — Claude.ai (web) supports custom OAuth connectors. Click Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector. Paste https://hooklayer.dev/api/mcp as the URL; Claude will walk through OAuth 2.1 + PKCE + Dynamic Client Registration automatically.

Will Hooklayer slow down Claude Desktop?

No. Hooklayer registers 7 tool definitions (~5K tokens total). Adding 20+ MCP servers will slow Claude Desktop's startup; Hooklayer's 7-tool surface is well below that ceiling.

Does the config need to change for new Hooklayer features?

No. Hooklayer's tool catalog is dynamic — new tools appear via runtime tools/list discovery, no config update needed. Existing tools never change their input shape (only add new optional fields).

Hooklayer also works with

Hooklayer for OpenAI Agents SDK

60s setup

Hooklayer for LangChain

90s setup

Hooklayer for Windsurf

45s setup

Try it in Claude Desktop.

100 free credits at signup. No card. Claude Desktop setup in 30 seconds.

Get API key See all 7 tools