> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://doc.thordata.com/doc/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://doc.thordata.com/doc/scraping/serp-api/mcp-server/skill-installation/claude-desktop-cowork.md).

# Claude Desktop (Cowork)

thordata-serp-mcp Skill = Instructions enabling Claude to correctly use the ThorData SERP MCP.

#### **Overview**

Once you save the `thordata-serp-mcp` skill to your Claude account, Claude Desktop will automatically reference the skill's rules when handling queries related to ThorData SERP.

This tutorial is designed for users installing a Claude Desktop skill for the first time. You simply need to upload a file, click the save button, and then verify that it is working by asking a test question.

> Claude Desktop does not use a local "skills" folder; the skill is saved to your account and is immediately available for use across all conversations. There is no need to modify code, configure MCP services within this document, or restart the application.

#### **Requirements**

• Claude Desktop (Cowork) is installed.

• `SKILL.md` (and optionally `references/serp-rules.md`) for `thordata-serp-mcp` is ready, or the packaged `thordata-serp-mcp.skill` archive is prepared.

• The ThorData SERP MCP tool is already configured in Claude Desktop.

{% hint style="warning" %}
If the third step has not yet been completed, the skill can still be installed, but Claude cannot actually initiate a ThorData SERP search.
{% endhint %}

#### How to install this skill

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Prepare the SKILL file.**

Having the `thordata-serp-mcp.skill` archive on hand is the most convenient option; however, if you only have `SKILL.md` (and `references/serp-rules.md`), you can use them directly—packaging them into a `.skill` file beforehand is not mandatory.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Upload to the conversation**

Drag and drop the file into your conversation with Claude, or upload it as an attachment.

* If you upload a `.skill` file, Claude will automatically recognize it and display a card in the conversation featuring a <kbd>**Save skill**</kbd>button.
* If you upload a standalone `SKILL.md` file, simply tell Claude: "Save this as a skill named thordata-serp-mcp."
  {% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Click to save / Confirm save**

Click the <kbd>**Save skill**</kbd> button (or wait for Claude to confirm the save was successful).\
The changes take effect immediately upon saving; there is no need to restart the app—simply start a new conversation to use it.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Testing whether it works**

Enter the following in a new conversation:

> *Use ThorData SERP to search for the latest news about OpenAI and return the headlines, sources, publication times, and links.*

If the installation is successful, Claude will recognize this as a ThorData SERP-related task and process it according to the skill's rules.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

#### When to use this skill

• Search for public results using the ThorData SERP MCP in Claude Desktop\
• Query news, web pages, images, videos, shopping, maps, local businesses, academic content, or trending topics\
• Perform SEO rank checks, price monitoring, local business research, or batch search tasks\
• Have Claude retain source links, query parameters, and timestamps

#### FAQ

<details>

<summary><strong>Claude did not use this skill</strong></summary>

• Ask Claude "What skills do I currently have?" and verify that `thordata-serp-mcp` appears in the list.

• Confirm that you clicked the <kbd>**Save skill**</kbd>" button during upload, or that Claude explicitly confirmed the save was successful.

• Try again in a new conversation.

• Ensure your question relates to ThorData SERP, search results, news, shopping, maps, or SEO rankings.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Claude says it cannot search.</strong></summary>

This usually does not indicate a failure to install the skill.\
The skill is only responsible for instructing Claude on "how to use ThorData SERP." To actually perform searches, the ThorData SERP MCP tool must also be configured within Claude Desktop.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>The returned result is missing a few fields?</strong></summary>

This is normal.\
This skill instructs Claude to display only the fields actually returned. If the search results do not include price, rating, phone number, address, or publication time, Claude should not attempt to guess them.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How to uninstall</strong></summary>

Tell Claude during the conversation, "Help me delete/forget the 'thordata-serp-mcp' skill," and Claude will remove it.

{% hint style="success" icon="thumbtack-angle" %}
Deleting the skill does not affect MCP tools that have already been configured.
{% endhint %}

</details>