> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.keinsaas.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MCP Server Setup

> Add an MCP server, test its tools, and make it available in Navigator.

Model Context Protocol servers expose tools that Navigator can call during a chat response. Start with one known server, confirm its tools are visible, then decide whether it should be available globally, in a preset, or only through `@` mentions.

## Setup flow

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose a transport">
    Use `stdio` for local command-based servers, SSE for event-stream servers, or streamable HTTP for modern remote servers.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add server configuration">
    Register the server in the Navigator MCP settings or through file-based MCP configuration if `FILE_BASED_MCP_CONFIG=true`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test discovery">
    Confirm Navigator can connect to the server and list available tools.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run a safe tool call">
    Test with a read-only or harmless tool before enabling automation-heavy actions.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create a preset">
    Group the server's tools into a preset if users will need them often.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Example stdio server

```json theme={null}
{
  "name": "playwright",
  "description": "Browser automation tools",
  "transport": "stdio",
  "command": "npx",
  "args": ["@playwright/mcp@latest"]
}
```

## Example remote server

```json theme={null}
{
  "name": "internal-crm",
  "description": "Read customer records and update pipeline tasks",
  "transport": "streamable-http",
  "url": "https://tools.example.com/mcp",
  "headers": {
    "Authorization": "Bearer ${CRM_MCP_TOKEN}"
  }
}
```

## Testing checklist

* The command or remote URL works outside Navigator
* Required environment variables are available to the server
* Navigator can list tools from the server
* Manual tool mode is enabled while testing mutating tools
* Timeouts are configured for long-running tools

<Card title="MCP configuration reference" icon="braces" href="/guides/mcp-configuration" horizontal>
  See configuration fields, transport examples, and troubleshooting notes.
</Card>