--- title: "Configure the Cortex MCP server" canonical: https://workspace.socra.com/docs/cortex/guides/mcp --- # Configure the Cortex MCP server Connect ChatGPT, Claude, or another MCP client to Cortex. Use this guide when you set up the connection yourself. The integration uses the [hosted Cortex MCP server](/docs/cortex/reference/mcp). You do not need to install a server on your computer. An MCP integration provides Cortex tools but does not install the SessionStart context included with a Cortex agent plugin. If you use a supported coding agent, follow [Agent plugins](/docs/cortex/integrations/coding-agents) instead. [Open guided MCP setup](https://cortex.socra.com/setup?method=mcp&step=agent) to follow these instructions one step at a time. For the preferred ChatGPT store installation, use [Connect ChatGPT](/docs/cortex/integrations/chatgpt). Grok uses a different, secret-free PKCE flow: follow [Connect Grok](/docs/cortex/integrations/grok). ## Before you start You need an Account and a Cloud Project that you can manage. If you do not have one, create a Cloud Project in the [Cloud Console](https://platform.socra.com/projects) at platform.socra.com. Your client must support remote HTTP MCP and follow the `resource_metadata` URL in Cortex's 401 OAuth challenge. Test the connection in your host. Use the [CLI](/docs/cortex/reference/cli) if the host cannot connect. The hosted MCP surface includes tools that can write and delete. Review the [Cortex security model](/docs/cortex/administration/security) and your client's approval policy before you connect. Review the discovered tools before you enable them in a conversation. ## Set up the integration Enable Cortex and configure OAuth on your Cloud Project. Then connect your MCP client. ### Enable Cortex #### CLI Run: ```bash socra service enable cortex --project PROJECT_ID ``` Replace `PROJECT_ID` with your Cloud Project ID. #### Cloud Console In the Cloud Console, open [Enabled services](https://platform.socra.com/service-usage/services). Select **Enable service**, then enable **Cortex** for the Cloud Project. ### Configure OAuth Configure the information that Socra shows when a user authorizes the integration. #### CLI Configure the OAuth consent information: ```bash socra oauth config set PROJECT_ID --name "Cortex" ``` Replace `PROJECT_ID` with your Cloud Project ID. #### Cloud Console In the Cloud Console, open [OAuth overview](https://platform.socra.com/oauth). Select **Set up OAuth**. Use **Cortex** as the application name. Add any policy information that users should see during authorization. ### Configure your MCP client Select the client that you want to connect to the Cortex MCP server. #### ChatGPT ##### Register an OAuth client Developer mode availability depends on your ChatGPT account and workspace policy. In ChatGPT, open **Settings → Security and login**. Turn on **Developer mode**. Open [ChatGPT Plugins](https://chatgpt.com/plugins). Select the plus button and start a new connection. Enter **Cortex** as the name. Enter this MCP server URL: ```url https://cortex.socra.cloud/mcp ``` Copy the callback URL that ChatGPT shows. Keep the ChatGPT page open. In the Cloud Console, open [OAuth clients](https://platform.socra.com/oauth/clients). Register a **Web** client named **Cortex for ChatGPT**. Add the ChatGPT callback URL as a redirect URL. Leave JavaScript origins empty. Create the OAuth client. Then create a client secret. Copy the secret immediately. Socra shows it one time. ##### Connect ChatGPT Return to the new connection in ChatGPT. Select OAuth. Enter the client ID and client secret from Socra. Create the connection. Review the Cortex tools that ChatGPT finds. Then connect your Account and approve access. #### Claude ##### Register an OAuth client In the Cloud Console, open [OAuth clients](https://platform.socra.com/oauth/clients). Register a **Web** client named **Cortex for Claude**. Add this redirect URL: ```url https://claude.ai/api/mcp/auth_callback ``` Leave JavaScript origins empty. Create the OAuth client. Then create a client secret. Copy the secret immediately. Socra shows it one time. ##### Connect Claude On Free, Pro, or Max, follow these steps. Free allows one custom connector: 1. Open **Customize → Connectors** in Claude. 2. Select the plus button, then select **Add custom connector**. 3. Enter **Cortex** as the name. 4. Enter `https://cortex.socra.cloud/mcp` as the remote MCP server URL. 5. Open **Advanced settings**. Enter the client ID and client secret from Socra. 6. Select **Add**, then select **Connect**. For a Team or Enterprise plan, an Owner must add Cortex from **Organization settings → Connectors**. Select **Add → Custom → Web**. Enter the same server URL and OAuth credentials. Each member can then open **Customize → Connectors** and select **Connect**. Select your Account and approve access. #### Custom ##### Register an OAuth client Start the custom MCP setup in your client. Find the OAuth callback URL that the client provides. In the Cloud Console, open [OAuth clients](https://platform.socra.com/oauth/clients). Register a **Web** client. Add the callback URL as a redirect URL. Leave JavaScript origins empty. Create the OAuth client. Then create a client secret. Copy the secret immediately. Socra shows it one time. ##### Connect your client Enter these values in your MCP client: - **Name:** Cortex - **Server URL:** `https://cortex.socra.cloud/mcp` - **Authentication:** OAuth - **Client ID:** The OAuth client ID from Socra - **Client secret:** The OAuth client secret from Socra Connect your Account and approve access. ## Enable Cortex tools In ChatGPT, open **Settings → Plugins → Socra Cortex → Permissions** and select **Allow all actions** for Cortex. A custom connector may be named **Cortex**. In Claude, open **Settings → Connectors → Cortex → Tool permissions**. Set both **Read-only tools** and **Write/delete tools** to **Always allow**. In a new chat, check that Cortex is on under **+ → Connectors**. In another client, enable all Cortex tools and use its Cortex-scoped always-allow setting if available. These controls vary by host and organization policy. Keep unrelated permissions unchanged. The suggested instructions teach the agent to maintain useful knowledge and tell you what changed and why. For Grok's different controls and PKCE connection, follow [Connect Grok](/docs/cortex/integrations/grok#5-enable-all-cortex-tools). ## Add persistent instructions Add the [suggested Cortex instructions](/docs/cortex/installation#suggested-instructions) to teach your agent to Flash the right knowledge before acting and create or update Modules when you share useful knowledge or preferences. A direct MCP connection needs these saved separately. You can edit or skip them. In Claude, use **Settings → General → Instructions for Claude**. In other clients, use their persistent or project instructions. Keep existing instructions. ## Verify the connection Start a new conversation with Cortex enabled. Use this prompt: ```text Use Cortex to list the Modules I can access. Make a real Cortex tool call; an empty list is valid. Separately, report whether this new conversation received persistent Cortex guidance and what it requires. Do not change anything. ``` Verify that the agent makes a real Cortex call and returns a Module list. An empty list confirms access for a new Account. An error or an answer without a tool call does not confirm the connection. Check the guidance report separately. If you saved instructions but the new conversation did not receive them, check their saved location and scope in the host. Start the conversation inside the project if you used project instructions. If you skipped instructions, the connection can still work; report the guidance as skipped. Stop after verification. When you are ready to use Cortex, follow the [Cortex Quickstart](/docs/cortex/get-started/first-workflow).