A few months ago, I showed you how MCP (Model Context Protocol) turned Claude into my personal operating system. That post became one of my favorites because it explored how we can use AI to connect with our favorite apps—whether Notion, Google products, Slack, and more.
The concept clicked. AI escaping the chatbox, connecting directly to your tools, working WITH your actual project files instead of just talking about them.
But then you tried to implement it and hit a wall.
JSON config files. API keys that expire. Error messages that say “MCP server failed to start” without explaining why. GitHub documentation written for developers. Terminal commands that feel like black magic.
Most of the problems you face happen because understanding MCP and actually implementing it are two completely different challenges.
Most people give up after the first cryptic error message, or they don’t even try at all given the complexity of the implementation process.
That’s why I made a 30‑minute video walkthrough showing exactly how to set up the five MCPs that matter for non‑technical work, like doing research, connecting to your business context or project‑planning system, scraping content across the internet, designing social media banners, and more.
What you’ll learn in the video
Phase 1: Why MCP matters for non-technical work (0:00 - 11:20)
The real problem: Your AI lacks context about YOUR business
Why most MCP servers only work for developers (and how we fix this)
The 5 MCPs that actually matter for most knowledge work
Phase 2: Notion MCP - The easiest starting point (11:20 - 14:30)
Why Notion is the perfect first integration (official support, no JSON hell)
Connecting Claude directly to your databases in under 3 minutes
Testing if it’s actually working vs. just pretending to work
Phase 3: Firecrawl MCP - Reliable web scraping tool (14:30 - 19:00)
Why Claude’s built-in web fetch breaks on certain pages
Your first JSON config: Step-by-step to implement it
The debugging trick: Using Claude to fix broken config files
How to verify your MCP server is actually running (not just installed)
Where most people get stuck and how to fix it
Phase 4: Perplexity MCP - Deep research without subscriptions (19:00 - 21:00)
The cost hack: $5-10 in API tokens vs. $20/month subscription
When to use Perplexity vs. Brave vs. Claude’s native search
Setting up API access and JSON configuration
Phase 5: Brave Search MCP - Free alternative (21:15 - 23:00)
Getting 2,000 free queries per month
The exact NPX configuration you can use to install Brave Search MCP
Common API key mistakes and how to avoid them
Phase 6: Zapier MCP - Connect your AI to 8,000+ apps (23:00 - 27:30)
Connecting 8,000+ apps through one integration: works with ChatGPT too
Setting up Gmail, Google Analytics, Asana, Jira, Slack
How to segment permissions (read-only vs. full access)
The explicit command pattern: Making Claude use the right MCP
What you need before watching
✓ Claude Pro account ($20/month)
✓ Claude Desktop installed (this ONLY works on desktop, not web)
✓ 30 minutes of uninterrupted time
✓ The apps you want to connect (Notion, Gmail, etc.)
We’re connecting real APIs with real permissions. No sandbox. This is production-level setup that will actually run your workflows.
After watching, you’ll be able to:
✅ Set up all 5 MCPs I use daily without getting stuck
✅ Connect any new MCP server you discover online (the pattern repeats)
✅ Debug JSON config files when error messages are cryptic
✅ Stop paying for multiple AI subscriptions you don’t need—use an API token instead
For Maker Labs subscribers: Watch the full implementation walkthrough here.
Not a Maker Labs subscriber? This is exactly the kind of complete implementation blueprint you get with the paid tier. No theory, no concepts, just the exact configurations and troubleshooting steps that actually work.
The difference between knowing MCP is powerful and actually using it every day is implementation. This video bridges that gap.
Further resources you can explore
Here are additional resources for you to explore list of MCPs available in the market right now:
