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This document provides a step-by-step tutorial on advancing beyond basic Claude Code usage. It covers setting up and using Claude Code within an IDE like VS Code or Cursor, creating and invoking custom 'Skills' to standardize repeatable workflows, connecting to third-party MCP servers (like Hugging Face) to grant the agent new capabilities, and extending its power with compatible open-source models like SERA. The guide emphasizes combining these methods for powerful, automated task execution.

Claude Code Beyond Basics: The Power of Skills & MCP

This guide covers how to supercharge a Claude Code setup by integrating it into an IDE, leveraging Skills for custom instructions, and connecting to the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to borrow capabilities from third-party tools.

1. Using Claude in an IDE (VS Code / Cursor)

While the command-line interface (CLI) is efficient, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) like VS Code or Cursor offers a more visual and integrated workspace.

Benefits of an IDE:
– Easier Navigation: A file explorer pane for easy access to project files and folders.
– Visual Editing: Directly view and edit file content.
– In-Context Chat: Highlight specific code or text sections to focus Claude’s attention.
– Change Tracking: Visually review suggested edits before accepting them.

How to run Claude Code in an IDE

  1. Install the IDE: Download and install Visual Studio Code or Cursor.
  2. Install the Claude Code Extension:
    • Open the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X).
    • Search for “Claude Code” and install the official extension from Anthropic.
    • Trust the publisher when prompted.
  3. Open Claude Code:
    • In VS Code, click the Claude logo in the top-right toolbar.
    • In Cursor, right-click in a document and select “Claude Code: Open”.
    • Log in with your Claude subscription or console account on first use.

A recommended layout is a three-column view: File Explorer, the active file content, and the Claude Code chat panel. This provides a complete overview without switching windows.

2. Using Claude Code with Claude Skills

What are Claude Skills?
Skills are custom instructions that tell Claude how to perform a specific task. They are analogous to Custom GPTs or Gemini Gems. They act as specialized recipes Claude can invoke when needed, standardizing repeatable tasks and saving you from re-explaining requirements.

A skill is a markdown file (SKILL.md) inside a dedicated folder within .claude/skills/. This file contains structured instructions. The folder can also optionally contain examples, templates, or scripts.

The Easy Way to Set Up Skills

You can have Claude Code create the necessary folder structure and install the first, most important skill: the Skill Creator.

  1. Open Claude Code in your project folder (in your IDE or terminal).
  2. Use the following prompt:
    > Please set up a proper Claude folder structure for using Claude Skills, then install the Skill Creator skill: https://github.com/anthropics/skills/tree/main/skills/skill-creator

Claude Code will create the .claude/skills directory and install the skill-creator skill within it.

How to Use Your New Skills

Once a skill is installed, it’s always available. You can trigger it manually or let Claude invoke it automatically based on context.

  • Manual Invocation (Slash Commands): Type / followed by the skill name (e.g., /skill-creator) to see a list of available actions for that skill.
  • Automatic Invocation (Context): Provide a prompt that clearly describes the task you want to perform. Claude will identify and trigger the relevant skill.

Example: To create a new skill that generates haikus from images, you could prompt:

I want to create a new skill that automatically turns any uploaded image into a three-haiku mini poem.

Claude will automatically launch the “Skill Creator” skill and guide you through the process.

3. Using Claude Code with MCP Servers

What is MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that allows LLMs to communicate with third-party data sources and tools, effectively “borrowing” their capabilities. An app maker can create an MCP server to expose their app’s functionality for Claude Code to use.

How to Connect Claude Code to MCP Servers

You can ask Claude Code to handle the connection for you.

Example:

Connect to the Hugging Face MCP server: https://huggingface.co/mcp?login

Claude will run the necessary commands to add and connect to the server.

Useful MCP Terminal Commands:
– claude mcp list: Shows all connected MCP servers.
– claude mcp get <name>: Displays details about a specific server.
– claude mcp remove <name>: Disconnects from a server.

How to Use MCP Servers

Once connected, Claude Code will automatically use the tools provided by the MCP server when relevant. For example, after connecting to the Hugging Face MCP, you can ask:

What are the most popular 3D models on Hugging Face from 2025?

Claude will use the model_search tool from the Hugging Face MCP to find and return the answer without you needing to specify the tool.

4. Skills + MCP: A Powerful Combination

The true power of this system comes from combining Skills and MCP. A Skill can be designed to call upon a specific MCP server to execute a task.

  • Skills teach Claude the recipe (the workflow, instructions, and desired output).
  • MCP Servers give Claude access to the kitchen (the tools and data needed to execute the recipe).

For example, a “Brand Deck” skill could instruct Claude to use Canva’s MCP server to create a new design and insert it into a slide deck, fully automating a complex creative workflow.

Key Concepts: Claude Code AI Agents Claude Skills Model Context Protocol (MCP) Integrated Development Environment (IDE) VS Code Extension Agentic Workflows SERA

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About the Author: Adam Bernard

Claude Code Beyond Basics: Skills, MCP, and Open Models
Adam Bernard is a digital marketing strategist and SEO specialist building AI-powered business intelligence systems. He's the creator of the Strategic Intelligence Engine (SIE), a multi-agent framework that transforms business knowledge into autonomous, AI-driven competitive advantages.

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