Couldn't reach the MCP server.

[aardrasystems]

Problem
When trying to connect my self-hosted WordPress site to Claude via MCP, I get the following error:

"Couldn't reach the MCP server. You can check the server URL and verify the server is running. If this persists, share this reference with support."

Steps I Have Taken

1. Installed the WordPress MCP plugin (version 0.2.5) on my self-hosted WordPress site
2. Enabled all required settings in the plugin (MCP functionality, Create Tools, Update Tools)
3. Generated a JWT authentication token via the plugin's Authentication Tokens tab
4. Added the following to claude_desktop_config.json:

json{
  "mcpServers": {
    "wordpress-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [ "-y", "@automattic/mcp-wordpress-remote@latest" ],
      "env": {
        "WP_API_URL": "https://shop.mydomain.co.uk",
        "JWT_TOKEN": "your-jwt-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}

5. In Claude Settings → Connectors, added a custom connector with the following URL:

https://shop.mydomain.co.uk/wp-json/wp/v2/wpmcp/streamable
What Happens
When the connector tries to connect, it opens a new browser tab and then immediately shows the error above.
When testing the endpoint directly in a browser, it returns:
json{"code":"unauthorized","message":"Authentication required","data":{"status":401}}
This confirms the endpoint exists and is reachable, but Claude is not passing the authentication token correctly.

Questions

So, to add a connector do i need to select custom and use https://shop.mydomain.co.uk/wp-json/wp/v2/wpmcp/streamable, or can i use the WP connector?

[aardrasystems]

Should it also be showing as the following: