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3.5. MCP Integration

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI applications to connect to any external tool or data source without custom integration for every service.

What is MCP?

Think of MCP as a "USB port for AI." Just as a USB port allows you to connect any device to your computer, MCP allows Backend.AI GO to connect to any "MCP Server" that provides tools and data.

Why use MCP?

  • Extensibility: Connect the AI to your proprietary databases, local Slack, specialized APIs, or your own custom scripts.
  • Community Ecosystem: Use a wide range of open-source MCP servers developed by the community.
  • Standardization: One protocol to rule them all—once you set up an MCP server, it works across any MCP-compatible AI client.

Connecting MCP Servers

Backend.AI GO connects to MCP servers in two ways: as a local process (stdio), or over the network to a remote server.

Local process

  1. Navigate to Settings > MCP Integration.
  2. Click Add Server.
  3. Enter a name for the server.
  4. Leave Transport set to Local process.
  5. Specify the command (e.g., node, python, npx).
  6. Add any required arguments or environment variables (like API keys).
  7. Click Connect.

Remote server

  1. Navigate to Settings > MCP Integration.
  2. Click Add Server.
  3. Enter a name for the server.
  4. Set Transport to Streamable HTTP. Choose HTTP+SSE only for a server that does not support Streamable HTTP; it is the older transport and is being retired.
  5. Enter the server URL, for example https://mcp.example.com/mcp.
  6. If the server needs authentication, enter the token. It is sent as a bearer token, stored in the system keychain, and never shown again.
  7. Add extra request headers if the server needs them, one Name: value pair per line.
  8. Click Connect.

A server running on your own machine, such as http://127.0.0.1:3000/mcp, works without any extra configuration. Any other address must pass the same network rules as the rest of the app, so on a managed installation the host has to be in the organization's allowed list.

Managing MCP Tools

Once connected, the tools provided by the MCP server will automatically appear in your Cowork Settings.

  • You can toggle individual MCP servers on or off.
  • The Agent will treat MCP tools just like built-in tools, including full permission and approval support.
  • You can see the list of discovered tools by clicking "Details" on a connected MCP server.

For a list of popular MCP servers, visit the MCP Server Directory.