MCP Servers
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers provide a standardized way to connect agents to external tools and data sources. MCP is an open protocol that enables secure, two-way connections between AI systems and external services.
Plan required: Pro
Why Use MCP?
MCP offers advantages over simple API tools:
Multiple tools per server - One connection can expose many capabilities
Standardized protocol - Works with any MCP-compatible server
Rich tool definitions - Servers can describe their tools with detailed schemas
Two-way communication - Supports more complex interaction patterns
Use Cases
Connect to databases for real-time queries
Integrate with complex enterprise systems
Use pre-built MCP connectors for common services
Build custom integrations with full programmatic control
Access multiple related tools through a single connection
Zapier Integration
Zapier offers MCP server support, giving you access to thousands of integrations without writing code. You can create custom MCP servers in Zapier to connect your agents to services like Google Sheets, Salesforce, Slack, and more. Visit Zapier's MCP documentation to get started.
Adding an MCP Server
Navigate to Integrations > Custom Extensions > MCP Integrations and click Add new MCP server.
Step 1: Server Configuration
Server name
A descriptive name for this server connection
Description
Optional description of what this server provides
Endpoint URL
The MCP server endpoint (e.g., https://mcp.example.com/api)
Headers
Optional authentication headers (API keys, tokens)
Click Add Header to add authentication. Use the visibility toggle to hide sensitive values.
Common header patterns:
Step 2: Test Connection
Click Test Connection to verify:
The endpoint is reachable
Authentication credentials are valid
The server responds with the MCP protocol
If the test fails, check your endpoint URL and credentials.
Step 3: Select Tools and Assign Agents
After a successful connection, the server returns its available tools. You'll see a table with:
Status - Toggle to enable/disable each tool
Tool Name - The tool identifier
Description - What the tool does
Assigned Agent - Which agent can use this tool
For each tool you want to use:
Toggle the status to enable it
Select which agent should have access to this tool
Step 4: Finish Setup
Click Finish Setup to save the MCP server configuration.
Managing MCP Servers
View registered servers
All registered MCP servers appear in Integrations > Custom Extensions > MCP Integrations. Click a server to view and edit its configuration.
Enable or disable tools
On the server edit page, use the toggle switch next to each tool to enable or disable it. Disabled tools won't be available to agents.
Reassign tools to different agents
Click Assign next to a tool to change which agent has access to it.
Refresh tools
If the MCP server adds new tools, click Refresh Tools to fetch the updated list. New tools will appear in the table and can be assigned to agents.
Update server settings
To modify a registered server:
Click the server entry
Click Configure settings to expand
Update the name or description
Click Save Changes
Connection settings (endpoint URL and headers) cannot be changed after creation. To use different connection settings, delete the server and create a new one.
Delete a server
To remove an MCP server:
Click the server entry
Click Configure settings to expand
Click Delete Server
Confirm the deletion
Deleting a server immediately disables all its tools for all agents using them.
Building Custom MCP Servers
You can build your own MCP servers to expose custom functionality.
Best Practices
Choose specific tool names
Tools with clear, specific names help the agent understand when to use them. "get_order_status" is better than "query".
Write detailed tool descriptions
The MCP protocol allows rich tool descriptions. Use them to explain:
What the tool does
When to use it
What parameters are required
What the response contains
Limit enabled tools
Only enable tools that your agents actually need. Too many tools can confuse the agent about which to use.
Monitor tool usage
Review conversation logs to see how agents are using your MCP tools. Look for:
Tools that never get called (unclear descriptions?)
Tools called in wrong situations (description too broad?)
Errors or unexpected responses
Handle errors gracefully
Your MCP server should return helpful error messages that the agent can communicate to users. Avoid technical error codes without explanation.
Troubleshooting
Connection test fails
Verify the endpoint URL is correct and accessible
Authentication fails
Check that headers are correct and credentials are valid
No tools appear
Verify the server implements MCP tool discovery correctly
Tool calls fail
Check server logs for errors
Agent uses wrong tool
Review tool descriptions for clarity
Related
API Tools - For simpler HTTP integrations
Sheet Search - For spreadsheet data access
Custom Agents - Assign tools to specific agents
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