Choosing an MCP Client
MCP for Unity auto-configures every client the package detects on your machine. The differences below decide which one fits your workflow.
Capability matrix
| Client | Transport | Auto-config | Streaming reasoning | Free tier | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | stdio only | yes | yes | yes (rate-limited) | Easiest setup. Stdio is silently chosen even if HTTP is selected globally. |
| Claude Code | HTTP | yes | yes | needs Anthropic plan | First-party. Strong with multi-tool workflows. |
| Cursor | HTTP | yes | yes | partial | Requires an MCP toggle in Cursor's own settings after auto-config. |
| VS Code (Copilot) | HTTP | yes | yes | with Copilot | Configures under servers (not mcpServers). |
| Windsurf | HTTP | yes | yes | yes | Auto-connects after config. |
| Cline | HTTP | yes | yes | yes | Auto-connects after config. |
| GitHub Copilot CLI | HTTP | yes | yes | with Copilot | Terminal-based agent. |
| Codex | HTTP | yes | yes | with OpenAI | Auto-connects. |
| Qwen Code | HTTP | yes | yes | yes | Auto-connects. |
| Gemini CLI | HTTP | yes | yes | yes | Auto-connects. |
| OpenClaw | HTTP / stdio | yes | yes | yes | Requires openclaw-mcp-bridge plugin enabled. Follows MCP for Unity's transport choice. |
| Antigravity | HTTP | yes | yes | varies | Requires an MCP toggle in Antigravity settings. |
How to pick
- You want it to just work: Claude Desktop. Stdio means no port conflicts and no firewall prompts.
- You're building a multi-agent or remote workflow: anything HTTP. Multiple clients can share one Python server; see Multi-Instance Routing.
- You're already in your IDE: Cursor, VS Code Copilot, or Cline — keeps you in flow.
- You want a terminal: Claude Code, Copilot CLI, Codex, Gemini CLI, or Qwen Code.
Manual configuration
If auto-config doesn't run (offline machine, sandboxed install, etc.), copy the snippet under Manual MCP client configuration in Install into your client's MCP config file.
Per-client toggle locations
A few clients need an MCP toggle flipped on after the configurator writes their config. Find it here:
- Cursor → Settings → MCP → enable the
unityMCPserver - Antigravity → Settings → MCP servers → enable
- OpenClaw → enable the
openclaw-mcp-bridgeplugin
Everything else just connects on next launch.
When you update the package
Run Window → MCP for Unity → Configure All Detected Clients any time. It's safe to re-run — the configurator writes idempotently.