[Docs index](/docs.md) / [MCP Servers](/docs/mcp-servers/overview.md) / Creating an MCP Server

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# Creating an MCP Server

This guide walks you through creating an MCP server that exposes your workspace tools to external AI clients.

## Before you begin

- You need at least one tool available in your workspace. If no tools exist, the **New Server** button is disabled.
- You need to know which tools you want to expose. You can select tools from any tool pack in your workspace.

## Steps

### 1. Open the MCP Servers settings

Navigate to **Settings**, then select **MCP Servers**. You see a list of any existing servers or an empty state prompting you to create your first one.

### 2. Start creating a new server

Click **New Server** in the top-right corner, or click **Create Your First Server** if you have no servers yet. The **Create MCP Server** dialog opens.

### 3. Enter a name

Type a name in the **Name** field. Choose something descriptive that identifies the purpose of this server (for example, "Sales Tools" or "Development Utilities"). This name is shown to clients during the authorization flow.

### 4. Add a description (optional)

Type a description in the **Description** field. This helps you and your team remember what the server is for.

### 5. Select tools

Under **Select Tools**, check the boxes next to each tool you want to include. Tools are grouped by tool pack. Click a pack name to expand or collapse it.

The counter next to "Select Tools" shows how many tools you have selected.

If you have many tools, scroll down to load more.

### 6. Create the server

Click **Create Server**. The button is disabled until you provide a name and select at least one tool.

### 7. Copy the server URL

After creation, a confirmation dialog shows your new **Server URL**. Click the copy button next to the URL to copy it to your clipboard.

Save this URL. You need it to configure your AI client.

### 8. Close the dialog

Click **Done** to close the confirmation dialog. Your new server appears in the MCP Servers list with its name, tool count, creation date, and server URL.

![Walkthrough: creating an MCP server from start to finish](screenshots/creating-an-mcp-server-walkthrough.gif)

## Connect your client

After copying the server URL, open your AI client and add it as a remote MCP server. Follow the setup guide for your client:

- [Claude Desktop](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/10949351-getting-started-with-local-mcp-servers-on-claude-desktop)
- [Cursor](https://cursor.com/docs/context/mcp)
- [ChatGPT](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/mcp)
- [Windsurf](https://docs.windsurf.com/windsurf/cascade/mcp)
- [n8n](https://docs.n8n.io/advanced-ai/accessing-n8n-mcp-server/)

When the client connects for the first time, you are redirected to authorize the connection. See [Authorizing an MCP client](authorizing-an-mcp-client.md).

If something goes wrong, see [Troubleshooting](troubleshooting.md).

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## Navigation

### In this section: MCP Servers

- [MCP Servers](/docs/mcp-servers/overview.md)
- [Use Cases and Playbooks](/docs/mcp-servers/use-cases.md)
- **Creating an MCP Server** (current)
- [Authorizing an MCP Client](/docs/mcp-servers/authorizing-an-mcp-client.md)
- [Managing MCP Servers](/docs/mcp-servers/managing-mcp-servers.md)
- [Troubleshooting](/docs/mcp-servers/troubleshooting.md)

#### Playbooks

- [Playbook: Build a Campaign Launcher for Your Internal Ad Platform](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-campaign-launcher.md)
- [Playbook: Build a Client Reporting Portal from Your Homegrown Analytics System](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-client-reporting-portal.md)
- [Playbook: Build a Reconciliation Agent Across Two Systems](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-reconciliation-agent.md)
- [Playbook: Build a Supply Chain Monitoring Agent](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-supply-chain-monitor.md)
- [Playbook: Build an Intake App for a System Only Engineers Can Use](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-intake-app.md)
- [Playbook: Build an Order Management App on Top of Your WMS](/docs/mcp-servers/playbook-order-management-app.md)

### Other sections

- [Tool Creation](/docs/tool-creation/overview.md)
- [Agent Filesystem](/docs/agent-filesystem/overview.md)
- [Chat Sharing](/docs/chat-sharing/overview.md)
- [Scheduled Triggers](/docs/scheduled-triggers/overview.md)
- [Agent Skills](/docs/agent-skills/overview.md)
- [Sandcastles](/docs/sandcastles/overview.md)
- [Subagents](/docs/subagents/overview.md)
- [Workspace Permissions](/docs/workspace-permissions/overview.md)

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