> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.connie.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Custom MCP servers

> Add your own MCP server to Connie so its tools can be used in chat and across your workspace.

**MCP** (Model Context Protocol) is a common standard that lets AI assistants use tools from other services. Many apps publish an *MCP server*: a web address that offers that app's actions as tools. Adding one to Connie gives Connie those tools too — useful when an app you need isn't in the [Tools](/tools/overview) catalogue.

<Info>
  This page is about bringing **other** MCP servers **into** Connie. To use Connie **from** Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor or another AI app, see [Connie MCP](/mcp/overview).
</Info>

**Where:** left sidebar → **Tools** → **Add** → **MCP** · `https://connie.ai/<workspace-id>/tools`

## Add an MCP server

Before you start, get the server's URL from the app's documentation. It usually ends in `/mcp`.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Add MCP server window">
    Left sidebar → **Tools** → **Add** (top right) → **MCP**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter the server">
    Choose a tab:

    * **Direct configuration** — paste the **MCP server URL** (for example `https://example.com/mcp`) and, optionally, a **Server name**.
    * **Import by JSON** — paste the server's config into **MCP config JSON**. Connie reads the server URL and name from it, for example:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp",
      "name": "My MCP server"
    }
    ```

    A config with an `mcpServers` block also works, as long as it contains the server's web address.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Add server">
    Connie checks the server (**Checking server…**) and adds it (**Adding…**).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in, if the server asks">
    If the server needs authentication, the window changes to **Connect** plus the server's name and says it "requires authentication before its tools can be read." Either:

    * paste an **Access token** (a personal access token from that app) and click **Connect** (**Verifying…**), or
    * click **Continue with OAuth** to sign in with the app. Some servers also need an **OAuth client ID** (and, for some, a **Client secret**) that you create in that app's developer settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check the result">
    You'll see "Added N tools." and the server appears as a card marked **Connected** on the **All** and **My accounts** tabs.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Use the server's tools

Open the server's card to see its tools on the **Endpoints** tab. Each one has a permission switch (**Always allow**, **Needs approval**, **Block**) that workspace owners and admins can set — see [Tool permissions](/tools/permissions). The **Skills** tab lists skills that use the server.

Then ask Connie in [Chat](/chat/overview) to do something the server can do. Connie can't check what a custom server's tools do, so it may show an approval card before running one. An owner or admin can set **Always allow** on tools you trust.

## Remove or change a server

There's no button on the Tools page to edit or remove a custom MCP server. To remove one, or change its URL, email [support@connie.ai](mailto:support@connie.ai) with your workspace and the server's name. To stop Connie using it in the meantime, an owner or admin can set its tools to **Block**.

## Good to know

* Connie connects to MCP servers over the web, by a public `https://` URL. A plain `http://` address, or a server that only runs on your own computer or a private network, can't be added.
* Any workspace member can add a server. It's shared with the whole workspace.
* A custom server's card has no **Accounts** tab — its sign-in belongs to the server.
* Tools from a server you add are separate from the AI apps (Claude, Cursor…) that you connect *to* Connie. Those show on Tools with **Only you** and are managed from [Manage MCP access](/mcp/manage-access).

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Server URL must start with http:// or https://.">
    **Why:** the URL is missing its `https://` part, or isn't a web address. **Fix:** paste the full URL, for example `https://example.com/mcp`. Use `https://`: even though this message mentions `http://`, Connie only adds servers at a public `https://` address.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Invalid JSON format.">
    **Why:** the pasted config isn't valid JSON (often a missing quote, comma or bracket). **Fix:** copy the config again from the app's docs, or switch to **Direct configuration** and paste just the URL.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Couldn't reach that MCP server. Check the URL and try again.">
    **Why:** the server didn't answer at that address. **Fix:** check the URL in the app's docs (it often ends in `/mcp`) and that the server is online, then try again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="... rejected those credentials.">
    **Why:** the access token is wrong, expired or missing the needed scopes. **Fix:** create a new token in the app and paste it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Client ID is required to start OAuth with this server.">
    **Why:** this server doesn't let Connie register itself for sign-in. **Fix:** create an OAuth app in the server's developer settings, then paste its **OAuth client ID** (and **Client secret** if it has one). Or use an **Access token** if the server accepts one.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connected, but the server advertised no tools.">
    **Why:** the server answered but listed no tools — usually a wrong URL path or a token without the right permissions. **Fix:** check the URL and credentials, then email [support@connie.ai](mailto:support@connie.ai) to remove the empty server and add it again.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tool discovery failed.">
    **Why:** Connie added the server but couldn't read its tools. **Fix:** check the server is online and your credentials are valid, then contact [support@connie.ai](mailto:support@connie.ai).
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

* [Tools](/tools/overview) — everything Connie can use
* [Tool permissions](/tools/permissions) — when Connie asks before running a tool
* [Connie MCP](/mcp/overview) — use Connie from Claude, ChatGPT and other AI apps
* [Contact support](/help/contact-support) — what to include when you email us


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