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Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started​

What is MCPBundles?​

MCPBundles connects your AI assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, etc.) to real-world tools and APIs. Instead of adding dozens of individual tools, you add one MCP server URL and get access to all of its tools at once.

Do I need an account?​

Yes. A free account lets you:

  • Connect provider credentials (API keys, OAuth)
  • Enable MCP servers on your account
  • Create custom MCP servers
  • Track your usage

Which AI tools can I use MCPBundles with?​

Any AI tool that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP):

  • ChatGPT (with Apps)
  • Claude Desktop
  • Claude Code (CLI)
  • Cursor
  • VS Code Copilot
  • Raycast
  • Windsurf
  • Gemini Code
  • Goose
  • Any MCP-compatible client

See our Integration Guides for setup instructions.

MCP Servers​

What's the difference between an MCP server and a tool?​

  • MCP server: A collection of related tools exposed through one URL (like an app)
  • Tool: A single action (like a function in an app)

Example: A marketing MCP server might contain tools like list_campaigns, create_contact, and generate_email.

Can I use multiple MCP servers at once?​

Yes. Enable as many MCP servers as you want. Your AI sees all tools from all enabled servers, organized by server name in your client.

Can I create my own MCP server?​

Yes, in a few ways:

How do I share my MCP server with others?​

  1. Publish your server
  2. Share its MCP URL or catalog link
  3. Others find it in the directory
  4. They enable it and connect their own credentials

In a team workspace, credentials are shared with all members. In a personal workspace, each user connects their own credentials.

What does readiness mean?​

Header badges use one vocabulary everywhere (list, server page, Studio). They reflect whether tools can run in your workspace right now:

  • Ready — all required connections verified. Messages include All connections ready or All connections ready — install in your AI host to start when you have not run a tool recently.
  • Needs setup — at least one required connection is missing (for example Connect N connections to use this MCP server). Mixed missing and broken connections also show Needs setup with a combined message.
  • Needs attention — a connection exists but is unverified, expired, or missing OAuth scopes (for example N of M connections ready).
  • Disabled — the server is not enabled in this workspace; copy may prompt you to Connect…, Reconnect…, or Enable this MCP server to use its tools.
  • Status unknown — readiness could not be resolved; refresh the page.
  • Connection unavailable — a required sign-in path for this server is temporarily unavailable.

What's the difference between MCP URL and .mcpb files?​

MCP URL — how you connect MCPBundles hosted servers:

  • Copy: https://mcp.mcpbundles.com/bundle/your-server-slug
  • Paste into any MCP-compatible AI client, or use the one-click install link on the server page

.mcpb file — open packaging format (ZIP + manifest) used by some publishers and clients such as Claude Desktop. Install by opening the file when a publisher ships one.

What's a ".mcpb file"?​

The .mcpb format is the open standard for packaging MCP servers (Model Context Protocol project). A package can bundle a local server or a small proxy that talks to a remote backend. On MCPBundles, hosted servers connect through the MCP URL.

Credentials & Security​

How are my API keys stored?​

Encrypted at rest with Fernet. Keys are stored separately from encrypted data.

Can other users see my credentials?​

In a team workspace, members can use workspace credentials but only the creator can view or edit secret values. In a personal workspace, credentials are private to you. Credentials never cross workspaces.

What's the difference between OAuth and API keys?​

  • OAuth: Browser authorization, auto-refresh, easy revoke
  • API key: Paste a secret from the provider's dashboard

Prefer OAuth when available.

Why verify credentials?​

Verification confirms a connection works (usually a read-only test call). API key connections often auto-validate when you save; OAuth connections are typically marked verified after token exchange. Use Validate Now when status is Unverified or Error. Until required connections are verified, tools stay unavailable in Studio and MCP clients.

How often are OAuth tokens refreshed?​

Automatically — typically before expiry. Re-authorize if refresh fails.

Can I have multiple API keys for the same provider?​

You can save several connections for the same service. Each MCP server uses the accounts attached to it, and one server can attach more than one. If you attach two accounts to the same server, your AI picks the account on each call. To replace an account, attach the new one and click Remove from server on the old one.

Providers​

What's a provider?​

An external API service tools connect to — Smartlead, GitHub, Slack, HubSpot, etc.

Do all providers cost money?​

Many have free tiers. MCPBundles doesn't charge for provider usage; upstream pricing is separate.

How do I know which providers an MCP server needs?​

Open the server page — required and optional providers are listed there.

What if a provider is down?​

Tools using that provider fail until the provider recovers. Your credentials stay safe.

Tools​

Why can't I see all tools in my AI?​

Tools appear only when:

  1. Tool status is Active
  2. Required providers are verified
  3. The MCP server is enabled on your account

How do I know what arguments a tool needs?​

Ask your AI — it reads the tool schema. Example: "What does list_campaigns need?"

Can tools access my files?​

Only data you explicitly provide. Tools cannot browse your filesystem.

Are tool calls logged?​

We always log call metadata (tool, time, success/failure, billing). Tool inputs and outputs may be stored in sanitized or redacted form for history and debugging — not raw provider secrets. See our privacy policy for retention details.

Pricing & Limits​

Is there a free tier?​

Yes — public MCP servers, provider connections, and tool calls within plan limits. See Pricing for current plan details.

What counts toward my usage limit?​

Tool executions — each successful MCP tool call your agents or AI clients make through MCPBundles counts once toward your plan's shared allowance (rolling 30 days). Open catalog integrations (research catalogs such as Mendeley and OpenAlex) and the remote MCP server directory do not count on any plan. Failed calls never count. Browsing the catalog, editing MCP server settings, and managing credentials do not count.

A2A agent AI usage — token consumption from A2A agent runs counts toward your workspace AI token allowance. See Creating A2A Agents for how limits affect scheduled agents.

For exact allowances on your plan, see Pricing.

What happens if I hit my limit?​

Depends on your plan — the free tier blocks further tool calls until the monthly reset; paid plans may allow overage or higher caps. Upgrade or add your own API key where supported. See Pricing.

Troubleshooting​

My MCP server says "Needs setup"​

Open the server page, check the Connections section, and click Connect (or Reconnect) for each provider listed. The header message tells you how many connections are missing or need attention.

OAuth permissions or scopes are missing​

Re-authorize the connection and grant the permissions the tool needs. The dashboard shows Needs attention when scopes are incomplete — there is no separate Scope Mismatch badge.

"Authentication failed"​

Delete the credential, add a new one, and validate.

Tools disappeared from my AI​

Check: server still enabled? Credentials still verified? AI client restarted? OAuth refresh failed?

My AI can't find the MCP server​

Confirm the MCP URL, client config, restart, and that the server is enabled in MCPBundles.

Server says "Needs setup" but I added credentials​

Some credentials may be Unverified — run Validate Now on each provider card.

Can I test tools without an AI client?​

Use MCPBundles Studio in the dashboard, or connect a client and ask it to call a tool.

Can I use voice to log time entries or take other actions?​

MCPBundles does not have voice input on the website or in the dashboard. Logging time entries, updating records, sending email, and similar work happens when your AI client calls MCP tools on connected MCP servers.

To work by voice:

  1. Connect the MCP server in an AI client that supports voice (for example ChatGPT mobile or Claude mobile/desktop).
  2. Turn on voice mode in that client.
  3. Ask in plain language — for example: "Log 30 minutes on Project Alpha for development."
  4. The AI picks the right MCP tool and fills in the details.

MCPBundles Studio uses typed forms, not voice. For hands-free workflows, use your AI client's voice feature with MCP connected.

Advanced​

Can I use MCPBundles programmatically?​

Hub and CLI tools exist for power users. Full server-management API is expanding — see CLI guide.

Can I self-host MCPBundles?​

No — MCPBundles is a hosted platform.

Does MCPBundles support webhooks?​

Yes for A2A agent triggers — see Webhook Triggers.

Still Have Questions?​