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Adding Your First MCP

Learn how to connect an MCP server to PlexMCP and start routing requests through the gateway.

What is an MCP?​

Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers expose tools and resources that AI agents can use. PlexMCP acts as a gateway, letting you:

  • Access multiple MCPs through a single API key
  • Monitor usage and performance
  • Apply rate limiting and access controls
  • Share MCPs across your team

Supported MCP Types​

PlexMCP supports any MCP server that implements the standard protocol:

  • HTTP MCPs: Servers accessible via HTTP/HTTPS
  • SSE MCPs: Servers using Server-Sent Events for streaming
  • WebSocket MCPs: Real-time bidirectional communication

Adding an MCP​

Step 1: Navigate to MCPs​

  1. Log into dashboard.plexmcp.com
  2. Click MCPs in the sidebar
  3. Click Add MCP button

Step 2: Configure the MCP​

Fill in the required fields:

FieldDescriptionExample
NameFriendly display name"Weather Service"
Endpoint URLYour MCP server URLhttps://mcp.example.com
DescriptionOptional description"Weather data and forecasts"

Step 3: Test the Connection​

Before saving, click Test Connection to verify:

  • The endpoint is reachable
  • The server responds with valid MCP protocol
  • SSL certificates are valid (for HTTPS)

Step 4: Save and Activate​

Click Create MCP to add it to your organization. The MCP will immediately be available for use.

MCP Configuration Options​

Basic Settings​

{
  "name": "My MCP",
  "endpoint_url": "https://mcp.example.com",
  "description": "Description for your team"
}

Authentication (Optional)​

If your MCP requires authentication:

{
  "auth_type": "bearer",
  "auth_token": "your-mcp-auth-token"
}

Supported auth types:

  • none - No authentication
  • bearer - Bearer token in Authorization header
  • api_key - API key in custom header
  • basic - HTTP Basic authentication

Health Checks​

PlexMCP automatically monitors your MCPs:

  • Periodic health checks every 60 seconds
  • Automatic status updates (healthy/unhealthy)
  • Alerts for prolonged outages (Pro+ plans)

Testing Your MCP​

After adding an MCP, test it from the dashboard:

  1. Go to the MCP details page
  2. Click Test tab
  3. Select a tool to invoke
  4. Provide test arguments
  5. Click Run Test

You'll see the full request/response for debugging.

Managing MCPs​

Edit an MCP​

  1. Navigate to MCPs
  2. Click the MCP you want to edit
  3. Click Edit button
  4. Update fields and save

Disable an MCP​

Temporarily disable without deleting:

  1. Click the MCP
  2. Toggle Active to off
  3. The MCP won't accept requests until re-enabled

Delete an MCP​

Permanently remove an MCP:

  1. Click the MCP
  2. Click Delete in the danger zone
  3. Confirm deletion (this is irreversible)
warning

Deleting an MCP will break any API keys or integrations using it.

Best Practices​

1. Use Descriptive Names​

Choose names that help your team understand what each MCP does.

2. Add Descriptions​

Document what tools are available and when to use them.

3. Set Up Monitoring​

Enable health check alerts to catch issues early (Pro+ plans).

4. Use HTTPS​

Always use HTTPS endpoints for production MCPs.

5. Rotate Auth Tokens​

If your MCP uses authentication, rotate tokens regularly.

Troubleshooting​

Connection Test Fails​

  • Verify the endpoint URL is correct
  • Check if your MCP server is running
  • Ensure the server is accessible from the internet
  • Check for firewall rules blocking the connection

MCP Shows "Unhealthy"​

  • Check your MCP server logs
  • Verify the endpoint is still accessible
  • Ensure the server responds within 30 seconds

Tools Not Appearing​

  • Some MCPs require authentication to list tools
  • The MCP might not implement tool listing
  • Try invoking a known tool directly

Next Steps​

Now that your MCP is connected: