docs: location of gemini-cli MCP config #185
Description
gemini-cli uses the same JSON config file that we describe in the ReadMe and in https://google.github.io/mcp-security/usage_guide.html#mcp-server-configuration-reference
The config is just saved to a different location for gemini-cli (~/.gemini/settings.json)
I described this in:
https://security.googlecloudcommunity.com/google-security-operations-2/google-cloud-security-mcp-servers-in-gemini-cli-922
We should add that info to the ReadMe and docs/.
Maybe a table listing clients and where they expect the JSON file.
Also, I have a single JSON file and symlink from each of those expected locations to that one-and-only-one JSON file. That might be worth mentioning.
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| Client Application | Scope | macOS / Linux Location | Windows Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gemini cli | Global | ~/.gemini/settings.json | Not explicitly documented, often similar to ~/.config/gemini/settings.json or %APPDATA%\Gemini\settings.json | This file typically includes the mcpServers object for global server configuration. |
| Claude Desktop | Global | ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json | %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json | Access via Claude menu > Settings > Developer tab > Edit Config button. |
| Claude Code | Global | ~/.claude.json | Not explicitly documented, likely similar to Linux/macOS or a location in %APPDATA%. | This is the recommended primary global configuration file for Claude Code CLI and extensions. |
| Cursor IDE | Global | ~/.cursor/mcp.json | %USERPROFILE%.cursor\mcp.json | Used for MCP servers available globally across all projects. |
| Cursor IDE | Project | .cursor/mcp.json | .cursor/mcp.json | Located in the root of the workspace folder. Used for project-specific MCP server configurations. |
| Visual Studio Code (VS Code) | Workspace | .vscode/mcp.json | .vscode/mcp.json | Used when an MCP extension (like Cline) is installed to configure servers for a specific workspace. |
| Cline (VS Code Extension) | Global | Stored within VS Code's extension data. | C:\Users\USER\AppData\Roaming\Code(-Insiders)\User\globalStorage...\settings\cline_mcp_settings.json (Exact path can be complex) | Configuration is managed through the Cline UI, which writes to an internal file. |