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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. Go to MCP Servers and click Create. Add tools, publish when ready, and keep it private or share it publicly.

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?​

It shows whether you can use the MCP server right now:

  • Ready (green, Credentials valid): All providers configured and verified
  • Setup Required (amber, Connect provider accounts): Missing credentials
  • Connection Error (red, Credentials expired): Invalid or expired credentials
  • Unknown (gray): You haven't enabled the server yet

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

Two ways to connect the same MCP server:

MCP URL (universal):

  • Copy: https://mcp.mcpbundles.com/bundle/your-server-slug
  • Paste into any MCP-compatible AI client

.mcpb file (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, MCP for Windows):

  • Download from the server page
  • Double-click to install

Both connect to the same cloud-hosted server on MCPBundles.

What's a ".mcpb file"?​

The .mcpb format is the open standard for packaging MCP servers (Model Context Protocol project). MCPBundles generates .mcpb installers that connect your AI to our hosted servers — not a fully local server.

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 runs a read-only test call. Unverified credentials keep tools hidden.

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?​

One active credential per provider per user. Delete the old one before adding a replacement.

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 log call metadata (tool, time, success/failure, billing). We don't log provider response payloads.

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 MCP tool call your agents or AI clients make through MCPBundles counts once. 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 Credentials"​

Connect the providers listed on the server page.

Tool says "Scope Mismatch"​

Re-authorize OAuth and grant the missing permissions.

"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 "Setup Required" 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.

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?​