Connecting an MCP server

Last updated: October 7, 2026

What an MCP server is

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server is a standard plug that lets an AI assistant like COORDINATOR use another service's tools and data.

Many apps publish an MCP server. When you add one to COORDINATOR, COORDINATOR can use that app as part of your chats and missions, even if COORDINATOR doesn't have a built-in integration for it.

This article covers connecting an MCP server into COORDINATOR. For the built-in integrations, such as Strava or Google Drive, see Connections and integrations.

What becomes possible

Once a server is connected, COORDINATOR can use its tools whenever they help. For example:

• A coach connects the MCP server for their team's scheduling or messaging tool, and a weekly planning mission reads the schedule and drafts the announcement.
• An athlete connects a nutrition or training app that has an MCP server, and a race-prep mission pulls that data into the plan.
• A fantasy player connects a stats service, and a lineup mission uses it to compare matchups.

Tools that only read data run when COORDINATOR needs them. Tools that change data wait for your approval. See What COORDINATOR does on its own vs. what needs your approval.

Before you start

You need the server's URL. It's an HTTPS address, often ending in /mcp, such as https://mcp.example.com/mcp. The app that publishes the server lists it in its own docs or developer settings.

Some servers sign you in with a login page. Others need an API key, which you create in that app's settings.

Only add servers from developers you trust. COORDINATOR doesn't control which tools a server offers, and can't verify that they work as described or won't change.

MCP servers are available on every plan, including Free. You can add up to 20.

Connect a server from the built-in list

COORDINATOR lists some popular MCP servers so you don't need to look up the URL, including GitLab, Netlify, Cloudflare, Resend, Sanity, Superhuman, PayPal, Zapier, and Umami.

1. Go to Settings → Integrations.
2. Find the app in the list, open the menu on its row, and select Connect.
3. Sign in to the app, or paste an API key if COORDINATOR asks for one.

Add any MCP server

1. Go to Settings → Integrations.
2. On the Integrations card, select Add integration.
3. In the Name field, enter a name you'll recognize, such as "Team schedule." It's shown in your integrations list.
4. In the MCP server URL field, enter the server's HTTPS address.
5. Optional: If the server signs in with an API key instead of a login page, select Advanced: sign in with an API key, then enter the key. Leave the header as Authorization unless the server's docs name a different header.
6. Select Continue.
7. If the server uses a login page, it opens. Sign in and approve access.

When it works, COORDINATOR confirms that the server is connected and tells you how many tools it found.

Choose which tools COORDINATOR can use

1. Go to Settings → Integrations.
2. Open the menu on the server's row and select View tools.
3. Turn individual tools on or off.
4. To decide whether COORDINATOR asks before making changes through this server, turn Ask before making changes on or off. It's on by default.

Even with Ask before making changes off, COORDINATOR still asks before it does anything that can't easily be undone, messages people you didn't ask it to contact, or spends money you didn't ask it to spend.

Manage a connected server

Open the menu on the server's row in Settings → Integrations. Servers you added by URL offer all of the following; servers from the built-in list offer Reconnect, View tools, and Disconnect.

• Refresh tools: check the server for new or changed tools.
• Update key: replace the API key, for servers that use one.
• Reconnect or Sign in: appears when the server needs you to sign in again.
• View tools: turn tools on or off.
• Remove: COORDINATOR stops using the server and forgets its sign-in.

Connect a website instead

Some services you use don't have an MCP server or a built-in integration, but you can sign in to them on the web. For those, use Connected sites: you log in once, and COORDINATOR can read the site on your behalf.

1. Go to Settings → Integrations.
2. On the Connected sites card, select Add a site.
3. Enter the login page URL, and select Open the sign-in window.
4. Sign in to the site in the window that opens.
5. List the pages on the site that COORDINATOR can open, and select Save connection.

By default, COORDINATOR can only read a connected site. To let it take actions there, such as submitting a form, open the site's menu and select Allow actions. Each action still needs your approval. To stop, select Turn off actions, or Disconnect to delete the saved login.

Common issues

"Couldn't add that server"

Check that the URL starts with https:// and is the server's MCP address, not the app's home page. If the server needs an API key, use Advanced: sign in with an API key.

The row says it needs you to sign in

The server stopped accepting COORDINATOR's access. Select Reconnect or Sign in on the row. For a key-based server, select Update key and paste a fresh key.

A tool I expected isn't there

Select Refresh tools. If it's still missing, check View tools in case the tool is turned off. If it isn't listed at all, the server doesn't offer it.

COORDINATOR isn't using the server

Ask for it by name in the chat or mission, for example "use my Team schedule integration to check Saturday's kickoff time."

For more fixes that apply to every integration, see Troubleshooting sync issues.

Contact support

Email [email protected] from the address on your COORDINATOR account. Include the server's name, its URL, and the exact error text. Never send us the server's API key.