# glm-mcp-helper

> Guide for configuring and using GLM (Zhipu AI) MCP servers. This skill should be used when users want to set up or troubleshoot GLM MCP servers including Web Search Prime, Web Reader, and Visual Understanding (GLM-4.6V).

- Author: 罗森
- Repository: leon30083/project-init
- Version: 20260124145515
- Stars: 0
- Forks: 0
- Last Updated: 2026-02-06
- Source: https://github.com/leon30083/project-init
- Web: https://mule.run/skillshub/@@leon30083/project-init~glm-mcp-helper:20260124145515

---

---
name: glm-mcp-helper
description: Guide for configuring and using GLM (Zhipu AI) MCP servers. This skill should be used when users want to set up or troubleshoot GLM MCP servers including Web Search Prime, Web Reader, and Visual Understanding (GLM-4.6V).
license: MIT
---

# GLM MCP Helper

This skill helps configure and troubleshoot GLM (Zhipu AI) MCP servers for Claude Code and other MCP-compatible clients.

## About GLM MCP Servers

GLM provides three Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers for GLM Coding Plan subscribers:

| MCP Server | Purpose | Type |
|------------|---------|------|
| **Web Search Prime** | Web search and real-time information retrieval | Remote HTTP |
| **Web Reader** | Web page content extraction and structured data | Remote HTTP |
| **Visual Understanding** | Image analysis and video understanding (GLM-4.6V) | Local (npx) |

## Prerequisites

Before configuring any GLM MCP server, users need:

1. **API Key** from [Zhipu Open Platform](https://open.bigmodel.cn/usercenter/apikeys)
2. **GLM Coding Plan subscription** (Lite, Pro, or Max)
3. **MCP-compatible client** (Claude Code, Cline, OpenCode, Crush, etc.)

## Usage Quotas

| Plan | Web Search + Web Reader | Visual Understanding |
|------|-------------------------|---------------------|
| Lite | 100 calls/month | 5-hour prompt pool |
| Pro | 1,000 calls/month | 5-hour prompt pool |
| Max | 4,000 calls/month | 5-hour prompt pool |

## When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when users:
- Want to configure GLM MCP servers for the first time
- Need troubleshooting help for MCP connection issues
- Want to understand quota limitations
- Need client-specific configuration instructions
- Are deciding which MCP server to use for their task

## Quick Configuration Commands

### Claude Code (One-line Installation)

```bash
# Web Search Prime
claude mcp add -s user -t http web-search-prime https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/mcp/web_search_prime/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

# Web Reader
claude mcp add -s user -t http web-reader https://open.bigmodel.cn/api/mcp/web_reader/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

# Visual Understanding (requires Node.js 18+)
claude mcp add -s user zai-mcp-server --env Z_AI_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY -- npx -y "@z_ai/mcp-server"
```

Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the actual API key from Zhipu Open Platform.

## MCP Server Selection Guide

### Choose Web Search Prime when:
- Searching for current web information
- Finding recent news, articles, or discussions
- Looking up best practices and tutorials
- Needing real-time data (stocks, weather, etc.)

### Choose Web Reader when:
- Extracting content from specific URLs
- Parsing documentation or API reference pages
- Reading blog posts or technical articles
- Building knowledge bases from web content

### Choose Visual Understanding when:
- Analyzing screenshots or UI designs
- Extracting text from images (OCR)
- Understanding technical diagrams
- Processing video content
- Comparing UI implementations

## Troubleshooting Workflow

When users encounter issues, follow this sequence:

1. **Verify API Key**: Check if the key is valid and active
2. **Check Quota**: Confirm they haven't exceeded monthly limits
3. **Network Issues**: Test connectivity to GLM servers
4. **Client Configuration**: Verify MCP settings in the client
5. **Environment Issues**: For Visual Understanding, check Node.js version

## Reference Documentation

Detailed configuration guides and troubleshooting steps are available in `references/`:

- `references/web-search-mcp.md` - Web Search Prime setup
- `references/web-reader-mcp.md` - Web Reader configuration
- `references/visual-understanding-mcp.md` - GLM-4.6V visual MCP setup

Load these reference files when users need:
- Client-specific configuration (Cline, OpenCode, Crush, Goose, etc.)
- Detailed troubleshooting steps
- Example usage scenarios
- SSE vs HTTP configuration options

## Common Issues Quick Reference

| Issue | Likely Cause | Quick Fix |
|-------|--------------|-----------|
| "Invalid token" | Wrong API key or insufficient balance | Re-check API key at open.bigmodel.cn |
| "Connection timeout" | Network/firewall issues | Check internet connection and firewall settings |
| "Repository not found" | Private repo or incorrect name | Verify repo is public and name format is `owner/repo` |
| "Connection failed" (Visual) | Node.js not installed or wrong version | Install Node.js 18+ and run `node -v` to verify |
| "Search returns empty" | Query too specific or network issues | Try different keywords or check connection |

## Installation Verification

After installation, verify MCP servers are working:

```bash
# List installed MCP servers
claude mcp list

# Test connectivity by trying a simple query
# Example for Web Search: "Search for latest Claude Code updates"
```

## Removing MCP Servers

```bash
# Remove a specific server
claude mcp remove <server-name>

# Example
claude mcp remove web-search-prime
```

## Important Notes

1. **API Key Security**: Never commit API keys to version control
2. **Quota Management**: Web Search and Web Reader share the same quota pool
3. **Visual Understanding**: Requires local Node.js installation; others are remote HTTP
4. **Rate Limits**: Exceeding quotas blocks access for the rest of the billing cycle
5. **Platform Choice**: Visual MCP supports both `ZHIPU` and `ZAI` modes via `Z_AI_MODE` env var