Installation Guide

Installation Guide

This guide will walk you through installing Sports Data MCP for use with Claude Desktop.

Prerequisites

• Python 3.11 or higher - Download Python
• Claude Desktop - Download Claude Desktop
• The Odds API Key (optional but recommended) - Get free API key

Installation Methods

Method 1: MCPB Package (Recommended)

This is the easiest method for most users.

Step 1: Download Package

1. Go to the Releases page
2. Download the latest .mcpb file (e.g., sports-data-mcp-v0.1.10.mcpb)

Step 2: Install in Claude Desktop

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings → Developer
3. Click "Install MCP Package"
4. Select the downloaded .mcpb file
5. Wait for installation to complete

Step 3: Configure API Key

1. Locate your installation directory:

   • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\sports-mcp-config\
   • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/sports-mcp-config/
   • Linux: ~/.config/Claude/sports-mcp-config/

2. Edit the .env file:

   ODDS_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

3. Restart Claude Desktop

Step 4: Verify Installation

Ask Claude: "What sports data tools are available?"

If successful, Claude will list the Sports Data MCP tools.

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Method 2: Manual Installation

For developers or users who want more control.

Step 1: Clone Repository

git clone https://github.com/WFord26/Sports-Odds-MCP.git
cd Sports-Odds-MCP

Step 2: Install Dependencies

pip install -r requirements.txt

Step 3: Configure Environment

# Copy example environment file
cp .env.example .env

# Edit .env and add your API key
nano .env  # or use your preferred editor

Add:

ODDS_API_KEY=your_api_key_here

Step 4: Configure Claude Desktop

Edit your Claude Desktop config file:

• Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
• macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
• Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Add the server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "sports-data": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["C:/path/to/Sports-Odds-MCP/sports_mcp_server.py"],
      "env": {
        "ODDS_API_KEY": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Note: Use absolute paths and forward slashes even on Windows.

Step 5: Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen Claude Desktop to load the MCP server.

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Getting Your Odds API Key

Free Tier (Recommended for Testing)

1. Visit the-odds-api.com
2. Click "Get API Key"
3. Sign up with your email
4. Verify your email
5. Copy your API key from the dashboard

Free Tier Limits

• 500 requests per month
• Access to all sports
• All betting markets
• Perfect for personal use

Paid Tiers

If you need more requests, check their pricing page for paid plans starting at $25/month.

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Verifying Installation

Test 1: List Available Tools

Ask Claude:

What sports data tools do you have?

Expected response: Claude should list tools like get_odds, get_scores, get_espn_scoreboard, etc.

Test 2: Test Odds API

Ask Claude:

Get available sports from The Odds API

Expected response: A list of sports with their keys (e.g., americanfootball_nfl, basketball_nba)

Test 3: Test ESPN API

Ask Claude:

Show me today's NBA scores

Expected response: Current NBA games with scores (no API key needed)

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Troubleshooting Installation

Issue: MCP Server Not Loading

Symptom: Claude doesn't recognize sports data tools

Solutions:

1. Restart Claude Desktop completely
2. Check the config file path is correct
3. Verify Python path is absolute
4. Check Python version: python --version (must be 3.11+)

Issue: "Odds API not configured" Error

Symptom: Error when using odds-related tools

Solutions:

1. Verify .env file exists in config directory
2. Check API key is correct (no extra spaces)
3. Ensure environment variable is loaded
4. Restart Claude Desktop after changing .env

Issue: Module Import Errors

Symptom: ModuleNotFoundError in logs

Solutions:

1. Reinstall dependencies: pip install -r requirements.txt
2. Use virtual environment:

   python -m venv venv
   source venv/bin/activate  # or venv\Scripts\activate on Windows
   pip install -r requirements.txt

3. Update config to use venv Python path

Issue: Rate Limit Errors

Symptom: "Rate limit exceeded" errors

Solutions:

1. You've used all 500 free API calls
2. Wait until next month or upgrade to paid plan
3. ESPN tools still work without Odds API

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Updating Sports Data MCP

MCPB Package Method

1. Download the new .mcpb package
2. Uninstall old version in Claude Desktop
3. Install new version
4. Your .env file is preserved automatically

Manual Installation Method

cd Sports-Odds-MCP
git pull
pip install -r requirements.txt --upgrade

Restart Claude Desktop.

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Uninstalling

MCPB Package Method

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings → Developer
3. Find Sports Data MCP in installed packages
4. Click "Uninstall"

Manual Installation Method

1. Remove the MCP server entry from claude_desktop_config.json
2. Delete the Sports-Odds-MCP directory
3. Restart Claude Desktop

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Next Steps

• Usage Examples - Learn how to query sports data
• API Tools Reference - Complete tool documentation
• Configuration Guide - Advanced settings

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Need Help? Check the Troubleshooting page or open an issue.