# Connect your assistant

The Altoviz MCP server is hosted at `https://mcp.altoviz.com`. There is nothing to install — you add it as a **remote connector** in your AI client and authorize it once.

## Before you start

You need:

- An **Altoviz account** with an **API key**. Create one from the Altoviz web app (see the [API authentication guide](../api/guides/authentication)).
- An AI client that supports remote MCP servers (ChatGPT, Claude, VS Code, Cursor, …).

## How authorization works

The server is protected by **OAuth 2.0**. The first time a client connects, you are sent to the Altoviz **login page** where you paste your **API key**. The client then receives a token it uses for every request — you don't paste the key into the client itself, and you don't have to re-authorize on every restart (tokens are refreshed automatically).

Each connection acts on the Altoviz account that the API key belongs to.

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## ChatGPT & Claude

These two clients have dedicated, step-by-step guides:

- [**Connect ChatGPT**](mcp/chatgpt) — enable Developer mode and add the connector
- [**Connect Claude**](mcp/claude) — add a custom connector on web, desktop, or Claude Code

## VS Code

Add the server to your MCP configuration (`.vscode/mcp.json` in a workspace, or your user settings):

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "altoviz": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.altoviz.com"
    }
  }
}
```

Start the server from the MCP view; VS Code opens a browser window for the Altoviz **login page** where you paste your **API key**.

## Cursor

Add the server to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (or the project's `.cursor/mcp.json`):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "altoviz": {
      "url": "https://mcp.altoviz.com"
    }
  }
}
```

Reopen Cursor's MCP settings and complete the OAuth sign-in when prompted.

## Other MCP clients

Any client that supports remote MCP servers over **Streamable HTTP** (or SSE) with **OAuth** can connect:

| Setting | Value |
|---------|-------|
| Server URL | `https://mcp.altoviz.com` |
| Transport | Streamable HTTP (SSE also supported) |
| Authentication | OAuth 2.0 (Dynamic Client Registration supported) |

The client discovers everything it needs from the server's `/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource` endpoint.

## Verify the connection

Once connected, ask your assistant:

> _"Test my Altoviz connection."_

This runs the **TestApiKey** tool and returns a greeting if your key is valid. If it fails, see the [FAQ & troubleshooting](mcp/faq).

## Next

- [Connect ChatGPT](mcp/chatgpt)
- [Connect Claude](mcp/claude)
- [Available tools](mcp/tools)
- [FAQ & troubleshooting](mcp/faq)