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Claude Chat Project Setup

Instructions for configuring a Claude Chat (claude.ai) project to connect to the ITP analytical system via MCP.

1. Start the MCP server

The MCP server must be running before Claude Chat can connect:

# From the baft directory
uv run loom mcp --config configs/mcp/itp.yaml --transport streamable-http --port 8765

Or use the convenience script:

bash scripts/run_mcp_server.sh --http --port 8765

2. Create a Claude project

  1. Go to claude.ai → Projects → New Project
  2. Name it "ITP Analytical Engine" (or similar)

3. Add MCP server connection

In the project settings, add an MCP server:

  • URL: http://localhost:8765/mcp
  • Name: baft

If connecting from a remote machine, replace localhost with the server's hostname or IP.

4. Set project instructions

Paste the following into the project's "Custom Instructions" field:

You are assisting an ITP analyst. The analytical system runs on the Loom framework with 13 specialized workers connected via NATS.

Follow the instructions in the connected knowledge file CLAUDE_CHAT_SESSION_INSTRUCTIONS.md for session management procedures (start, sync, end) and error handling.

Available tool namespaces:

  • process_sources, analyze_intelligence, validate_cross_refs, update_database, submit_input — Core analytical tools
  • run_standard_pipeline, run_quick_pipeline, run_audit_pipeline — Pipelines
  • session.* — Session lifecycle (start, end, status, sync_check, sync)
  • workshop.* — Worker testing, evaluation, config management
  • entities_* — DuckDB entity search and queries

At session start, call session.start to initialize. Every 15 minutes, call session.sync_check to check for remote updates. At session end, ask the analyst for a description and call session.end.

5. Add knowledge files (optional)

Upload these docs as project knowledge for richer context:

  • docs/CLAUDE_CHAT_SESSION_INSTRUCTIONS.md — Session management procedures
  • docs/ANALYST_GUIDE.md — Non-technical analyst guide
  • docs/OPERATIONS_GUIDE.md — Technical operations reference

6. Verify

Start a conversation in the project and ask Claude to call session.status. It should return active sessions and service health. If tools aren't available, check that the MCP server is running and the connection URL is correct.