Setting up MCP connectors in Responsive

Overview

Connect an external Model Context Protocol (MCP) server to make its tools available to Responsive AI. An administrator configures the connection for your organization. Each user then connects their account if the server requires user authorization.

Prerequisites

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

• Responsive AI is enabled for your organization.

• The external platform provides an MCP-compatible server URL that Responsive can reach.

• 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.

To configure connectors, you must be a Super Admin, an Admin with all permissions, or have a custom role with access to Organization Settings and Responsive AI.

Setting up an MCP connector

1. Go to Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Connectors.
   

2. Select Browse Marketplace.

3. Choose a predefined connector, or search or filter the marketplace.
   Note: Selecting a predefined connector does not complete setup. You must still configure its authentication, and each user must connect their account from My Account.

4. To configure a connector manually, select Add New.

5. Enter a unique Connector name.

6. Optionally, add a Description. Responsive AI uses it to decide when to route a request to this connector.

7. Enter the MCP connector URL provided by the external platform.

8. Select an Authentication method and complete its fields.

9. Select Add.

After you add a connector, it appears under Organization Settings > Responsive AI > MCP Connectors until an administrator removes it. To add another connector, select Browse Marketplace.

Configuring API key authentication

1. Select API key for Authentication.

2. Enter the API key.

3. Choose where to send the key:

   • Request Header: Enter the header name. The default is X-API-Key.

   • Query Param: Enter the query parameter name. The default is x-api-key.

4. Review the MCP Request Preview to confirm how Responsive will send the key.

5. Select Add.

Note: The key is masked in the form and stored encrypted. You cannot view it again after saving.

Configuring OAuth 2.0 authentication

1. Select OAuth 2.0 for Authentication.

2. Leave Use PKCE selected unless the external platform requires otherwise. PKCE is enabled by default.

3. Choose a Connection Setup option:

   • Automatic: Responsive discovers the OAuth endpoints and registers the client automatically.

   • Manual: Enter the OAuth details provided by the external platform:

   1. Enter the Authorization URL and Token URL.

   2. Select Use dynamic client registration (DCR) if the MCP authorization server supports it. Responsive registers the client during OAuth. Client ID and Client Secret are hidden when this option is selected.

   3. If dynamic client registration is not selected, enter the required Client ID and Client Secret.

   4. Optionally, enter the OAuth Scopes.

4. Select Add.

Managing MCP tools

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

To manage available tools:

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

2. Locate the required MCP connector.

3. Click the connector, a popup is displayed on the right.

4. The Overview displays the details of the connection.

5. Click Tools to view the available tools.
   

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

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

Connecting to an external MCP server

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

To connect:

1. Navigate to My Account > MCP Servers.

2. Click Connect for the required MCP server.
   

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 connector configuration.

To disconnect:

1. Navigate to My Account > MCP Servers.

2. Click Disconnect.

Editing an external MCP connector

To edit an MCP connector configuration:

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

2. Click the Edit icon for the connector you want to update.

3. Update the required fields.

4. Click Save.

Removing an external MCP connector

To remove an MCP connector configuration:

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

2. Locate the MCP connector.

3. Click the Delete icon.

4. Click Delete to confirm.

Removing the configuration deletes the MCP connector from your organization. Users must reconnect if the connector 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 an MCP tool is invoked explicitly, or if the query matches the capabilities of an available MCP tool, Responsive AI skips the default retrieval order and retrieves information from the appropriate MCP server.

• When neither condition is met, Responsive AI follows the default retrieval order:

  1. Responsive Content Library

  2. External Sources

  3. MCP server