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MCP and AI assistants

Claude Code plugin

Install the HCode plugin for Claude Code to connect the hosted MCP server and teach Claude how HCode builds, runs and deploys apps.

The HCode plugin for Claude Code connects HCode's hosted MCP server and adds guidance, so Claude can deploy and manage your projects without you explaining how HCode works first.

It contains:

  • The hosted MCP server at https://hcode.hostafrica.com/mcp. The tools run on HCode, so new tools reach you without updating the plugin.
  • The hcode skill: how HCode builds and runs apps, the steps for common work such as deploying files or connecting a database, and rules for secrets and personal data. Claude loads it when you ask for something on HCode.
  • The /hcode:deploy command, which deploys the current folder, or a path you give, to a project and checks the live site.

Install the plugin

The plugin is served by HCode itself, so you don't need git or a GitHub account. The commands are also on Integrations, ready to copy.

  1. In Claude Code, add HCode's plugin marketplace:

    text
    /plugin marketplace add https://hcode.hostafrica.com/docs/mcp/plugin/marketplace.json

  2. Install the plugin:

    text
    /plugin install hcode@hostafrica

  3. Run /mcp, select plugin:hcode:hcode and sign in. HCode opens in your browser, where you choose the organisation, projects and permissions. Standard automation covers deploying and connecting databases. When the page shows "Access granted", return to Claude Code.

From a terminal, the same steps are claude plugin marketplace add https://hcode.hostafrica.com/docs/mcp/plugin/marketplace.json and claude plugin install hcode@hostafrica. Installing needs Claude Code 2.1.224 or later.

Use it without installing

To try the plugin for one session, download the zip and start Claude Code with it:

bash
claude --plugin-dir hcode-claude-plugin.zip

A plugin loaded this way doesn't update; download it again for a newer version.

If you added the server by hand

Claude Code connects to each server address once. A server you added yourself takes precedence over one a plugin brings, so while an hcode server you added by hand points at the same address, Claude Code uses it instead of the plugin's. Remove it so the plugin's connection is the one in use:

bash
claude mcp remove hcode

Updates

Plugin updates change only the skill and the command; tools change on HCode's side as soon as they ship. To fetch the latest skill:

text
/plugin marketplace update hostafrica

Other clients

The plugin is for Claude Code. Other clients connect to the same server by its URL. See Connect an AI assistant.