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MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers extend your chatbot with standardized AI capabilities. Unlike custom tools that connect to your APIs, MCP servers provide pre-built tools following an open protocol.

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What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol is an open standard for connecting AI systems to external tools and data sources. MCP servers expose:
  • Tools: Actions the AI can perform
  • Resources: Data the AI can access
  • Prompts: Pre-defined conversation templates
MCP is an advanced feature. Most users should start with Integrations Overview or Custom Tools.

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When to Use MCP vs Custom Tools

FeatureCustom ToolsMCP Servers
Setup complexitySimpleAdvanced
ProtocolHTTP/RESTMCP (SSE over HTTP)
Best forYour own APIsPre-built AI tools
AuthenticationBuilt-in optionsServer-specific
Use Custom Tools when:
  • Connecting to your own backend
  • Simple API integrations
  • Need built-in auth options
Use MCP when:
  • Using pre-built MCP servers
  • Need advanced AI capabilities
  • Building with MCP ecosystem

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Adding an MCP Server

1

Navigate to MCP Servers

Go to Dashboard → Integrations → MCP Servers → Add Server
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3

Configure Server

Fill in the server configuration:Server Name (required)
  • A friendly name for this server
  • Example: “File Browser”, “Database Query”
Server URL (required)
  • The MCP server endpoint URL using Server-Sent Events (SSE)
  • Example: https://mcp.example.com/sse
  • Must be accessible over HTTPS
4

Add Authentication Headers (optional)

If your MCP server requires authentication, add custom headers:
  • Header Key: e.g., Authorization, X-API-Key
  • Header Value: Your authentication token or key
Common examples:
  • Authorization: Bearer your-token-here
  • X-API-Key: your-api-key
5

Save and Test

Save the configuration. The server will connect and expose available tools.

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Configuration Examples

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Remote MCP Server

Connect to a remote MCP server with authentication:
FieldValue
NameCustom Server
URLhttps://mcp.example.com/sse
HeadersAuthorization: Bearer your-token-here

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Public MCP Server

Connect to a public MCP server without authentication:
FieldValue
NamePublic Tools Server
URLhttps://public-mcp-server.com/sse
Headers(none required)

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Available Tools

After connecting, the server’s tools appear in your dashboard. Common tool types:
  • File operations: Read, write, list files
  • Database queries: SQL or natural language queries
  • Web scraping: Fetch and parse web content
  • API integrations: Pre-built API connectors
Each tool shows:
  • Name and description
  • Required parameters
  • Return type

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Managing MCP Servers

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View Connected Servers

Go to Dashboard → Integrations → MCP Servers to see:
  • Connection status
  • Available tools
  • Last activity

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Disconnect

  1. Find the server card
  2. Click the settings icon
  3. Select Disconnect

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Reconnect

If a server disconnects:
  1. Check the server is running
  2. Verify configuration
  3. Click Reconnect

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Troubleshooting

  • Verify the server URL is correct and accessible
  • Check that the server supports SSE (Server-Sent Events) transport
  • Review authentication headers if required
  • Ensure the server is running and reachable over HTTPS
  • Wait for server initialization
  • Check server logs for errors
  • Verify server exposes tools correctly
  • Check network stability and HTTPS connectivity
  • Verify the server URL is still valid
  • Review server health and availability
  • Check authentication headers haven’t expired

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Security Considerations

MCP servers can execute code and access data. Only connect trusted servers.
  • Verify sources: Only use official or audited MCP servers
  • Limit access: Configure minimal permissions
  • Monitor activity: Review tool usage in logs
  • Authentication headers: Store sensitive tokens securely and never expose them in logs
  • HTTPS only: Always use HTTPS URLs to protect data in transit

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Next Steps

Custom Tools

Build simple API integrations

Integrations Overview

Connect popular platforms