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Setting up External MCP Server Connections in Responsive

Updated 8 hours ago

Overview

Responsive can connect to external Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers to access tools and data from third-party applications. By configuring Responsive as an MCP client, you can connect to compatible MCP servers, such as Databricks or Seismic, and make their resources available in supported Responsive AI experiences.

This article explains how to connect to an external MCP server, authenticate the connection, and manage MCP server connections in Responsive.

Prerequisites

Note: Responsive MCP Client is a part of Responsive AI. Contact support@responsive.io to access this feature or request enablement.

Before you connect to an external MCP server, ensure that:

  • Responsive AI is enabled for your organization.

  • You are assigned one of the following roles:

    • Super Admin or Admin with all Permissions

    • A custom role with access to Organization Settings (Company Settings)and Responsive AI

  • You have the required connection details and authentication credentials for the external MCP server.

  • You have the necessary permissions to access the external MCP server and its resources.

Adding an external MCP Server

To add an external MCP server:

  1. Navigate to Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Server.
    Responsive AI - MCP Server.png

  2. Click Add New.

  3. Enter the following details:

Field

Description

Name

A unique name for the MCP server.

Description

A description of the MCP server. This information helps Responsive AI determine when to use the server to answer user queries.

Logo (Optional)

Upload a logo to help users identify the connection.

MCP Server URL

The base URL of the external MCP server.

Authorization URL

The authorization endpoint for the MCP server. If you do not provide this value, Responsive attempts to derive it from the MCP Server URL. Providing the URL supplied by the external system is recommended.

Token URL

The token endpoint for the MCP server. If you do not provide this value, Responsive attempts to derive it from the MCP Server URL. Providing the URL supplied by the external system is recommended.

Client ID

The OAuth client ID for the external MCP server.

Client Secret

The OAuth client secret for the external MCP server.

Scopes

Enter each required OAuth scope and press Space to add it. Each scope is displayed as a chip below the field. To remove a scope, click the x icon on the chip.

  1. Click Save.

Manage MCP server tools

Required role: Super Admin, Admin with All Permissions, or a custom role with access to Organization Settings (Company Settings).

After a server is connected, Responsive automatically discovers the tools exposed by the external MCP server and retrieves their names and descriptions.

Responsive AI - MCP Server - Configure tools.png

To manage available tools:

  1. Navigate to Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Server.

  2. Locate the required MCP server.

  3. You can click the Refresh tools icon to retrieve the latest tools from the external MCP server.

  4. Click the chevron to view the available tools.

  5. Enable or disable individual tools as needed and click Save.

Note: By default, all discovered tools are enabled and available to Responsive AI users.

Connect to an external MCP server

After an administrator adds an MCP server, individual users must connect their own accounts.

To connect:

  1. Navigate to My Account > MCP Server.

  2. Click Connect for the required MCP server.
    Responsive AI - MCP Server - Connect account.png

  3. Complete the authorization flow in the external application.

  4. After the connection is successful, a Connected status is displayed.

Note: Depending on the external application, you may be prompted to sign in or grant authorization during the connection process.

Disconnecting an external MCP server

Disconnecting removes the authenticated connection for your user account. It does not remove the organization-level MCP server configuration.

To disconnect:

  1. Navigate to My Account > MCP Server.

  2. Select the connected MCP server.

  3. Click Disconnect.

Editing an external MCP server

Required role: Super Admin, Admin with all permissions, or a custom role with access to Organization Settings (Company Settings).

To edit an MCP server configuration:

  1. Navigate to Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Server.

  2. Select the MCP server you want to update.

  3. Update the required fields.

  4. Click Save.

Remove an external MCP server

Required role: Super Admin, Admin with all permissions, or a custom role with access to Organization Settings (Company Settings).

To remove an MCP server configuration:

  1. Navigate to Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Server.

  2. Locate the MCP server.

  3. Click the Delete icon.

  4. Click Delete to confirm.

Removing the configuration deletes the MCP server from your organization. Users must reconnect if the server is added again.

How Responsive AI uses external MCP servers

Responsive AI integrates MCP support with the Knowledge Agent.

When processing a query, Responsive AI uses the following retrieval strategy:

  • If the user explicitly invokes an MCP server, or if the query matches the capabilities of an available MCP tool, Responsive AI retrieves information from the appropriate MCP server.

  • Otherwise, Responsive AI follows the default retrieval order:

    1. Knowledge Base (KB)

    2. External Sources

    3. MCP Server

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