Claude Code

Three ways in. Pick the first that fits.

Already added on claude.ai?

If you added the Claude connector and Claude Code is signed in with the same Claude subscription, there is nothing to do. Run /mcp in Claude Code and look for claude.ai vincevangen. Run /status to see how Claude Code is signed in: with an Anthropic API key, claude.ai connectors aren't loaded.

Sign in, no API key

claude mcp add -s user --transport http vvgen https://api.vincevangen.com/mcp

Then, inside Claude Code, run /mcp, pick vvgen and sign in with your vincevangen account in the browser that opens. If you don't have an account yet, the first sign-in creates one with the free sign-up credits. Calls are charged to that account.

The sign-in page says it will redirect you to localhost and a port number. That is Claude Code on your own computer receiving the sign-in. The port changes each time.

You can also ask Claude Code to run the command for you. Adding a server always needs the command or a config file; /mcp signs in and lists servers but doesn't add them.

With an API key (CI, scripts, teams)

Use a key where nobody can sign in through a browser. Create one in the dashboard; it starts with igk_live_ and is shown once.

1. Keep the key in your environment

export VINCEVANGEN_API_KEY="igk_live_..."

Put that line in your shell profile so every session has it. Do not paste the key into a file you commit.

2. Register the server (once, all projects)

claude mcp add -s user --transport http vvgen https://api.vincevangen.com/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $VINCEVANGEN_API_KEY"

-s user makes it available in every project. Use -s project to share the server with a team through .mcp.json (then reference the variable instead of the literal key, see below).

Check it:

claude mcp list

vvgen should show as connected. Inside Claude Code, /mcp lists the tools.

Ask for an asset

Make a 16:9 hero photo for a developer tool: a lighthouse made of stacked server racks at dusk.

Claude calls vvgen_generate_image once, on the Final tier. The result carries ids, a file link and one small preview, never the full image. Ask for the full-size file and Claude calls vvgen_get_file. Add "show me a few options first" and Claude drafts four on fast, shows the contact sheet and finishes the one you pick with from_draft.

Sharing the config with a team

.mcp.json supports environment expansion, so the key never enters git:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vvgen": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.vincevangen.com/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${VINCEVANGEN_API_KEY}" }
    }
  }
}

Teach the agent to prompt

The server ships its own usage instructions. The prompting, QA and assets guides hold the longer playbook; paste the parts you want into your project's CLAUDE.md.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Cause
"You already have an account with this email address" or "An account already uses this inbox"	Your inbox already has an account under another spelling of the address. Run /mcp, clear the sign-in for vvgen and sign in with the address the message shows.
email_unverified after signing in	You haven't entered the code from the sign-in email yet. Finish signing in, then run /mcp again.
401 invalid_key	The variable is empty in the shell Claude Code started from, or the key was revoked.
402 insufficient_credits	Balance is below the estimate. Top up in the dashboard.
Tool list is empty	Restart Claude Code after claude mcp add.

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