A Spotify MCP server lets an AI client search your library, build playlists and control playback. Spotify uses OAuth, so setup is a quick developer-app registration plus a config. Here is how.
Step 1 — create a Spotify developer app
Go to developer.spotify.com/dashboard, create an app, and note the Client ID and Client Secret. Add a redirect URI of http://127.0.0.1:8080/callback (match whatever the server you pick expects). Playback control requires Spotify Premium.
Step 2 — configure the client
A popular option installs via the Claude CLI and walks you through auth:
claude mcp add --transport stdio spotify -- npx -y @tbrgeek/spotify-mcp-server
Or in a JSON config with credentials:
{
"mcpServers": {
"spotify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@tbrgeek/spotify-mcp-server"],
"env": {
"SPOTIFY_CLIENT_ID": "your_client_id",
"SPOTIFY_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_client_secret"
}
}
}
}
First run opens the browser for authorization. Restart the client; see MCP config file location.
Step 3 — verify
Ask: "Make a 10-track focus playlist and start playing it." If it builds and plays, you are connected (playback needs Premium + an active device).
Common problems
INVALID_CLIENT/ redirect mismatch — the redirect URI in the dashboard must exactly match the server's.- Playback fails — no active device, or a free (non-Premium) account.
- No tools in client — Node 18+ for
npx; see Cursor MCP not working.
Going further
Keep the Client Secret private and review the server before running it — see how to vet an MCP server. Browse curated loadouts or submit your server.