Editor & MCP setup - 21st

Configure MCP

21st init --client cursor           # print the MCP config
21st init --client cursor --write   # write it into your editor config

init sets up the 21st MCP server so your editor and AI agent can search, generate, and pull code directly. Supported clients:

Client	`--write` target
`cursor`	`.cursor/mcp.json`
`vscode`	`.vscode/mcp.json`
`devin`	`.devin/mcp_config.local.json` (Devin Desktop, formerly Windsurf; `windsurf` still works)
`claude`	`.mcp.json`
`codex`	print-only TOML for `~/.codex/config.toml`

Without --write, the config is printed so you can paste it yourself. With --write it merges into your existing config file.

Install the skills

21st skills install

Installs verified project-local skills for Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex. Add --global for installation under your home directory:

21st skills install --global
21st skills check --global

21st-cli-use — how to drive the CLI
21st-ai — generating and iterating UI
21st-registry — publishing and installing
21st-design-sync — keeping a design system in sync
21st-ui-build — building against the project’s real design system
21st-ui-explore — comparing meaningful design directions
21st-ui-review — deterministic review and safe fixes

The lockfile records hashes, versions, ownership, and licenses. Update and remove refuse to overwrite local modifications unless you explicitly pass --force. The old 21st install-skill command remains an alias for global installation.

The CLI and MCP share one endpoint and one login, so once you’ve run 21st login, both surfaces are authenticated with the same account.