diff --git a/readme.md b/readme.md
index 53f2fc3..175b355 100644
--- a/readme.md
+++ b/readme.md
@@ -291,7 +291,7 @@ Sample Claude Desktop Config for local dev with full settings
 			"env": {
 				"DIRECTUS_URL": "https://your-directus-instance.com",
 				"DIRECTUS_TOKEN": "your_directus_token",
-				"DISABLE_TOOLS": ["delete-item", "update-field"],
+				"DISABLE_TOOLS": "[\"delete-item\", \"update-field\"]",
 				"MCP_SYSTEM_PROMPT_ENABLED": "true",
 				"MCP_SYSTEM_PROMPT": "You are an assistant specialized in managing content for our marketing website.",
 				"DIRECTUS_PROMPTS_COLLECTION_ENABLED": "true",
diff --git a/src/config.ts b/src/config.ts
index bf86df8..2c838fc 100644
--- a/src/config.ts
+++ b/src/config.ts
@@ -16,8 +16,10 @@ const configSchema = z
 			'The password of the user to login with.',
 		),
 		DISABLE_TOOLS: z
-			.array(z.string())
-			.default(['delete-item'])
+			.string()
+			.default('["delete-item"]')
+			.transform((val) => JSON.parse(val))
+			.pipe(z.array(z.string()))
 			.describe("Disable specific tools by name. Defaults to ['delete-item']"),
 		MCP_SYSTEM_PROMPT_ENABLED: z
 			.string()