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

# MCP Servers

> Connect to Model Context Protocol servers for advanced AI capabilities

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.

## 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

<Info>
  MCP is an advanced feature. Most users should start with [Integrations Overview](/user-guide/integrations/overview) or [Custom Tools](/user-guide/integrations/custom-tools).
</Info>

## When to Use MCP vs Custom Tools

| Feature          | Custom Tools     | MCP Servers         |
| ---------------- | ---------------- | ------------------- |
| Setup complexity | Simple           | Advanced            |
| Protocol         | HTTP/REST        | MCP (SSE over HTTP) |
| Best for         | Your own APIs    | Pre-built AI tools  |
| Authentication   | Built-in options | Server-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

***

## Adding an MCP Server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Navigate to MCP Servers">
    Go to **Dashboard** → **Integrations** → **MCP Servers** → **Add Server**
  </Step>

  <img className="block dark:hidden" src="https://mintcdn.com/bubblav-e553cf80/nhelQxnCmiOq_LRR/images/integrations-mcp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nhelQxnCmiOq_LRR&q=85&s=52796ecf1744cac40460c8d184b161cf" alt="MCP Servers Overview" width="899" height="393" data-path="images/integrations-mcp.png" />

  <img className="hidden dark:block" src="https://mintcdn.com/bubblav-e553cf80/nhelQxnCmiOq_LRR/images/integrations-mcp-dark.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=nhelQxnCmiOq_LRR&q=85&s=0fe9218d7954d4fc0d3c6f2ab02c6502" alt="MCP Servers Overview" width="901" height="430" data-path="images/integrations-mcp-dark.png" />

  <Step title="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
  </Step>

  <Step title="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`
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and Test">
    Save the configuration. The server will connect and expose available tools.
  </Step>
</Steps>

***

## Configuration Examples

### Remote MCP Server

Connect to a remote MCP server with authentication:

| Field   | Value                                   |
| ------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Name    | Custom Server                           |
| URL     | `https://mcp.example.com/sse`           |
| Headers | `Authorization: Bearer your-token-here` |

### Public MCP Server

Connect to a public MCP server without authentication:

| Field   | Value                               |
| ------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Name    | Public Tools Server                 |
| URL     | `https://public-mcp-server.com/sse` |
| Headers | (none required)                     |

***

## 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

***

## Managing MCP Servers

### View Connected Servers

Go to **Dashboard** → **Integrations** → **MCP Servers** to see:

* Connection status
* Available tools
* Last activity

### Disconnect

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

### Reconnect

If a server disconnects:

1. Check the server is running
2. Verify configuration
3. Click **Reconnect**

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Server won't connect">
    * 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
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Tools not appearing">
    * Wait for server initialization
    * Check server logs for errors
    * Verify server exposes tools correctly
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Connection drops">
    * Check network stability and HTTPS connectivity
    * Verify the server URL is still valid
    * Review server health and availability
    * Check authentication headers haven't expired
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Security Considerations

<Warning>
  MCP servers can execute code and access data. Only connect trusted servers.
</Warning>

* **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

***

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Custom Tools" icon="wrench" href="/user-guide/integrations/custom-tools">
    Build simple API integrations
  </Card>

  <Card title="Integrations Overview" icon="puzzle-piece" href="/user-guide/integrations/overview">
    Connect popular platforms
  </Card>
</CardGroup>