runic raven
I am in the process of figuring how all the AI things and Ollama is working - now I would like to progress to MCP. Is there a dummys guide to MCP and a install Guide? I am trying to figure out the architecture of what is a MCP server, client and if there is a server, what server is used on HomeAssistant? I have read the wiki and I am a bit lost on how the puzzle fits together.
Any noddy guides would be appreciated.
elder moon
Using the Home Assistant MCP server integration, you can use something like Claude Desktop as an assistant to control lights, switches, etc.
runic raven
I was hoping for Local only AI abilities. Claude seems a bit cloudy. Please correct me if I am wrong
elder moon
That is correct. Claude Desktop is Anthropic's Claude (and cloud) app.
For Ollama, OpenWebUI has their "mcpo" offering.
runic raven
thanks! .. I'll run down that rabbit hole
elder moon
But I might still start with Claude Desktop if only to better understand. With that as the client, you install MCP servers, these offer tools. Claude Desktop can now access your terminal, your filesystem, etc, whatever your chosen mcp server is allowing for.
The MCP client integration for HA is actually more interesting to me, because you can host, say a "memory" mcp-server, and your HA Assistant now has a place to remember things. (just an example). I've only dipped my toes
elder moon
thanks! .. I'll run down that rabbit hole
OpenWebUI's take on this is from the perspective of someone hosting this in the cloud, offering access to other users, so I kind of only skimmed this documentation.
normal root
I'm struggling with the MCP server configuration too - I have the integration installed in Home Assistant, but even though I have entities exposed to Assist via the voice assistant settings, in the integration itself it says no devices or entities are exposed.