# Custom MCP connections

> Add an MCP server to give your chats and agents tools from another service. Review each tool before anyone can use it.

Source: https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/integrations/custom-mcp/

A custom MCP connection gives your chats and agents tools from a service that is not in the **Connections** catalog. You add the connection yourself, then choose which tools TulipFarm can use.

## What an MCP server is

MCP means Model Context Protocol. It is a standard way for an outside service to offer tools to artificial intelligence (AI) assistants. The service runs an MCP server and gives you its web address. Each tool on the server does one thing, such as finding a record or creating a ticket.

When you connect an MCP server, TulipFarm reads the list of tools that the server offers. You decide which of these tools your chats and agents can use.

TulipFarm supports MCP servers that have a public web address that starts with `https://`. It does not support servers that run on your computer or on a private network.

> **Note:** This feature is not available in every workspace. If you do not see **Custom MCP connections** on the **Connections** page, [contact support](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/troubleshooting/contact-support/).

## Personal and shared connections

When you add a server, you choose who owns the connection.

| Ownership | Who can use it |
| --- | --- |
| **Personal, private to you** | Only you. Workspace admins cannot see or use it. |
| **Shared workspace connection** | The people and teams that a connection manager grants access to. |

If you do not see **Shared workspace connection**, you cannot create shared connections.

A shared connection uses the account and credentials that you enter. Everyone who uses it can reach the same data as that account. TulipFarm cannot limit access to folders or records inside the outside service. Use credentials that can reach only the data that people need.

Admins who manage a shared connection do not use it. Grant use to people and teams after you set it up.

## Add an MCP server

1. Select **Connections** in the sidebar.

2. Go to **Custom MCP connections**.

3. Choose how to find the server:

   - To search a list of known servers, select **Find MCP servers**. Search for the server, then select its **Set up** button.
   - To enter the address of a server, select **Add MCP endpoint**.

4. In **Connection name**, type a name that people will recognize.

5. In **MCP endpoint**, check or enter the web address of the server.

6. Under **Connection ownership**, choose **Personal, private to you** or **Shared workspace connection**.

7. Under **Authentication**, choose the method that the service needs: **No authentication**, **OAuth**, or **Secret headers / API key**.

8. Select **Verify and discover tools**. For OAuth, select **Start OAuth setup** and sign in with the service.

9. Select **Review connection**.

The service decides which sign-in method it needs. Check the documentation of the service if you are not sure. The outside service can charge you under the terms of the account that you connect.

## Review and select tools

Connecting a server does not let anyone use its tools. Each new tool starts turned off. You must review the tools and turn on the ones you want.

1. Open the connection on the **Connections** page.

2. Select **Review tools**.

3. Read the description of each tool.

4. Select the tools that chats and agents can use.

5. Select **Save reviewed tools**.

6. For a shared connection, choose the people and teams under **Shared connection grants**. Then select **Save shared grants**.

Only the owner of a personal connection, or a manager of a shared connection, can review tools.

> **Caution:** The tool descriptions come from the outside server. TulipFarm does not check them. Turn on only the tools that you trust and need.

If the server changes a tool, TulipFarm pauses that tool until someone reviews it again. Tools that did not change stay available.

## Use the tools

- In a personal chat or an agent task, select the MCP connection and its tools. Only the tools that you select are available.
- For a saved agent, choose the tools under **MCP tools** in the agent. Runs use these tools after a manager activates the new version. See [Saved, activated, and running](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/saved-activated-running/).
- When a tool call needs approval, TulipFarm shows the exact request. Select **Approve exact MCP action** or **Reject MCP action**. See [Approvals](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/concepts/approvals/).

## Connection statuses

| Status | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| **Setup incomplete** | Setup is not finished. |
| **Authorization pending** | TulipFarm is waiting for you to sign in with the service. |
| **Client registration required** | The service needs you to register TulipFarm with it before you can sign in. |
| **Discovering tools** | TulipFarm is reading the list of tools from the server. |
| **Tool review required** | Someone must review the tools before anyone can use them. |
| **Verified** | The connection is ready. Only the reviewed tools that you selected are available. |
| **Disabled** | Someone turned off the connection. Select **Enable connection** to turn it on again. |
| **Disconnected** | Someone disconnected it. Its credentials no longer work, and earlier tool selections and approvals no longer apply. |
| **Needs attention** | Something went wrong. Open the connection to see what to do. |

## The server list is not a security review

**Find MCP servers** shows servers from a public list. TulipFarm does not check or approve the servers in this list. The list also does not promise that a server works with TulipFarm. Check that you trust a service before you connect it.

## Next steps

- [Connect your apps](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/integrations/)
- [Approvals and agent permissions](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/security/approvals-and-agent-permissions/)
- [Build an agent](https://docs.tulipfarm.ai/guides/build-an-agent/)