Connect MCP Servers

Overview

MCP (Model Context Protocol) Server Connection enables your Utari agents to connect with external tools and services through a standardized protocol. By connecting to MCP servers via HTTP, you can extend your agent’s capabilities with custom integrations, specialized tools, and external data sources—creating unlimited possibilities for customization.

MCP Server Connection Process

Setup MCP Server

What You Need:

MCP server endpoint URL
Memorable name for the connection
Server must be accessible via HTTP

Process:

    1. Get your MCP server URL
       Example: https://mcp.yourservice.com/api
    
    2. Choose a descriptive name
       Example: "Customer Data API" or "Internal CRM Tools"
    
    3. Enter connection details in Utari

Select Tools

After Connection:

Browse available tools from the MCP server
Review tool descriptions and capabilities
Select which tools to enable for your agent
Configure tool permissions and access

Example Tools Discovered:

    From "Customer Data API" MCP Server:
    ✓ get_customer_profile - Retrieve customer information
    ✓ update_customer_data - Modify customer records
    ✓ search_customers - Query customer database
    ✓ get_purchase_history - View transaction history
    ✗ delete_customer - (Not enabled for safety)

Test Connection

Verify Setup:

Test with a simple tool call
Confirm data is returned correctly
Check permissions are working
Validate agent can access tools

Use in Workflows

Integration Complete:

Tools now available to agent
Use in conversations naturally
Combine with other Utari tools
Build automated workflows

MCP provides a standardized way for AI applications to securely connect to external tools and data sources, making it easy to extend functionality without custom development.

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol Explained

Understanding MCP

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a universal standard that allows AI agents to connect with external tools and services.Think of it as:

USB for AI tools - standardized connection
Plugin system for agents
API gateway specifically designed for AI

Key Benefits:

✅ Standardized: Works across different AI platforms
✅ Secure: Built-in authentication and access control
✅ Flexible: Connect to any HTTP-accessible service
✅ Discoverable: Tools self-describe their capabilities
✅ Composable: Combine multiple MCP servers

How It Works:

  Your Agent → MCP Protocol → MCP Server → Your Service/API
  
Agent requests available tools from MCP server
MCP server describes its capabilities
Agent calls tools through standardized interface
MCP server executes and returns results
Agent uses results in conversation/workflow

Setting Up MCP Server Connection

Step 1: Prepare Your MCP Server

Using Existing Server
Composio MCP Servers
Custom MCP Server

If you have an MCP server URL:

    Information Needed:
    1. Server endpoint URL
       Example: https://api.company.com/mcp
    
    2. Authentication method (if required)
       - API key
       - OAuth token
       - Basic auth
       - None (public server)
    
    3. Any required headers or configuration
    
    Ready to connect!

Using pre-built Composio servers:

    Browse available integrations:
    - Slack, Gmail, Google Drive
    - Salesforce, HubSpot
    - GitHub, Jira, Linear
    - 100+ other services
    
    Process:
    1. Search for service in MCP Server Search
    2. Get MCP server endpoint
    3. Create credential profile
    4. Connect via HTTP endpoint

See MCP Server Search for details.

Hosting your own MCP server:

    Requirements:
    - HTTP-accessible endpoint
    - Implements MCP protocol specification
    - Returns tool definitions
    - Handles tool execution requests
    
    Implementation:
    - Use MCP SDK for your language
    - Define your tools and functions
    - Host on accessible infrastructure
    - Provide HTTP endpoint URL
    
    Resources:
    - MCP Protocol Specification
    - MCP Server SDKs
    - Example implementations

Step 2: Connect in Utari

Initiate Connection

    Ask your worker:
    "Connect to MCP server at https://mcp.myservice.com/api"
    
    or
    
    "Set up MCP server connection for our internal tools"

Provide Details

    Worker will ask for:
    
    1. Server URL (required)
       "Enter the complete URL to your MCP server endpoint"
       → https://mcp.myservice.com/api
    
    2. Server Name (required)
       "Give this MCP server a memorable name"
       → "Internal Customer Tools"
    
    3. Authentication (if needed)
       - API key
       - Bearer token
       - Custom headers

Test Connection

    Worker attempts to connect:
    
    Connecting to https://mcp.myservice.com/api...
    ✓ Connection successful
    ✓ Server responded
    ✓ MCP protocol version compatible
    
    Discovering available tools...

Review Available Tools

    Found 8 tools from "Internal Customer Tools":
    
    1. get_customer_info
       Description: Retrieve customer profile data
       Parameters: customer_id (required)
    
    2. update_customer_email
       Description: Change customer email address
       Parameters: customer_id, new_email
    
    3. get_order_history
       Description: Fetch customer purchase history
       Parameters: customer_id, date_range (optional)
    
    [...]
    
    Which tools should I enable?

Select Tools

    You: "Enable get_customer_info, get_order_history, 
    and search_customers. Don't enable any update or 
    delete functions"
    
    Worker:
    ✓ Enabled: get_customer_info
    ✓ Enabled: get_order_history
    ✓ Enabled: search_customers
    ✗ Disabled: update_customer_email
    ✗ Disabled: delete_customer
    
    MCP server configured successfully!

Using Connected MCP Servers

Natural Tool Usage

Once connected, agents use MCP tools naturally in conversation:

"Look up customer ID 12345 using the customer tools"

"Get the order history for [email protected]"

"Search for customers in the San Francisco area"

Example MCP Server Workflows

Customer Support
Sales Intelligence
Data Analysis
Internal Operations

Scenario: Customer support agent with internal tools

    MCP Server: "Support Tools API"
    
    Connected Tools:
    - get_customer_info
    - get_ticket_history
    - get_product_details
    - check_warranty_status
    - get_return_policy
    
    Workflow:
    User: "Customer asks about returning product"
    
    Agent:
    1. Looks up customer info via MCP
    2. Checks their order history
    3. Verifies warranty status
    4. References return policy
    5. Provides personalized answer with specifics
    
    Result: Fast, accurate, context-aware support

Scenario: Sales agent with CRM and enrichment tools

    MCP Servers Connected:
    - "Internal CRM" - Customer data
    - "Clearbit API" - Company enrichment
    - "LinkedIn Tools" - Professional data
    
    Workflow:
    User: "Research and qualify this lead"
    
    Agent:
    1. Check if lead exists in CRM (Internal CRM MCP)
    2. Enrich company data (Clearbit MCP)
    3. Research decision makers (LinkedIn MCP)
    4. Synthesize findings
    5. Provide qualification recommendation
    
    Result: Comprehensive lead intelligence from multiple sources

Scenario: Analytics agent with database access

    MCP Server: "Analytics Database API"
    
    Connected Tools:
    - query_sales_data
    - get_user_metrics
    - calculate_conversion_rates
    - get_cohort_analysis
    - export_report_data
    
    Workflow:
    User: "Analyze Q4 performance"
    
    Agent:
    1. Queries sales data for Q4
    2. Calculates key metrics
    3. Compares to previous quarters
    4. Identifies trends
    5. Generates report with insights
    
    Result: Data-driven analysis with actual company data

Scenario: Operations agent with multiple systems

    MCP Servers:
    - "JIRA API" - Project management
    - "Slack API" - Team communication
    - "GitHub API" - Code repository
    - "PagerDuty API" - Incident management
    
    Workflow:
    User: "Create post-incident report"
    
    Agent:
    1. Gets incident details (PagerDuty MCP)
    2. Finds related tickets (JIRA MCP)
    3. Reviews code changes (GitHub MCP)
    4. Compiles timeline
    5. Generates report
    6. Posts to team channel (Slack MCP)
    
    Result: Automated cross-system workflow

MCP Server Management

Managing Multiple MCP Servers

Connect Multiple Servers

    You can connect multiple MCP servers:
    
    1. "Customer Database Tools" (internal)
    2. "Payment Processing API" (Stripe)
    3. "Analytics Platform" (internal)
    4. "Communication Tools" (Slack, Email)
    
    Each provides different capabilities

Organize by Purpose

    Group servers logically:
    
    Customer Data:
    - CRM MCP server
    - Support tools MCP
    - Analytics MCP
    
    Communication:
    - Slack MCP
    - Email MCP
    - SMS MCP
    
    External Services:
    - Payment MCP
    - Shipping MCP
    - Verification MCP

Control Access

    Different agents get different MCP access:
    
    Sales Agent:
    ✓ CRM MCP (read/write)
    ✓ Email MCP (send only)
    ✗ Payment MCP (no access)
    
    Support Agent:
    ✓ CRM MCP (read only)
    ✓ Ticket MCP (read/write)
    ✓ Product MCP (read only)
    
    Admin Agent:
    ✓ All MCP servers (full access)

Updating MCP Connections

Update Server URL

    If your MCP server endpoint changes:
    
    1. Update the connection URL
    2. Retest the connection
    3. Verify tools still work
    4. Update agent configurations if needed
    
    Example:
    Old: https://api-v1.company.com/mcp
    New: https://api-v2.company.com/mcp

Add/Remove Tools

    As your MCP server adds new tools:
    
Refresh connection to discover new tools
Review new tool descriptions
Enable tools that are relevant
Update agent instructions if needed
    
    When tools are deprecated:
Disable unused tools
Update workflows using old tools
Test agent still works correctly

Update Authentication

    When credentials change:
    
    1. Update API keys/tokens
    2. Test connection with new auth
    3. Verify all enabled tools work
    4. Monitor for auth errors
    
    Best practice: Rotate credentials regularly

Disconnect Server

    To remove an MCP server:
    
    1. Verify no agents are actively using it
    2. Document which agents had access
    3. Disconnect the server
    4. Update agent configurations
    
    Warning: This removes all tools from that server

Security Best Practices

Secure Endpoints

Only connect to MCP servers you control or trust completely

Least Privilege

Enable only the tools agents actually need to use

Authentication

Always use authentication when available (API keys, tokens)

HTTPS Only

Only connect to MCP servers using HTTPS, never HTTP

Monitor Access

Track which agents use which MCP tools and how often

Rotate Credentials

Regularly update API keys and authentication tokens

Audit Logs

Review MCP server logs for unusual access patterns

Test Safely

Test MCP connections with non-production data first

Troubleshooting

Connection fails

Check:

Server URL is correct and accessible
Server is currently running
No firewall blocking the connection
HTTPS certificate is valid
Authentication credentials are correct
MCP server implements protocol correctly

No tools discovered

Verify:

MCP server is returning tool definitions
Server implements MCP protocol correctly
API endpoint is the correct path
Authentication is working
Check server logs for errors

Tool calls fail

Debug:

Verify tool is enabled for agent
Check parameters are correct format
Confirm authentication is still valid
Review MCP server logs
Test tool manually if possible
Check for rate limiting

Slow response times

Consider:

MCP server performance/load
Network latency to server
Complex operations taking time
Rate limiting causing delays
Optimize tool calls if possible
Cache frequently accessed data

Authentication errors

Resolve:

Verify credentials are current
Check if tokens expired
Confirm API key has required permissions
Ensure auth headers formatted correctly
Rotate credentials if compromised
Contact server admin if persistent

Summary

You’ve successfully learned how to:

Understand what MCP servers are and how they work

Connect to MCP servers via HTTP endpoints

Select and enable specific tools from MCP servers

Use MCP tools naturally in agent workflows

Manage multiple MCP server connections

Apply security best practices for MCP connections

Troubleshoot common connection and tool issues

MCP Server Connection provides unlimited extensibility for your Utari agents, allowing them to connect with any HTTP-accessible service through a standardized protocol—transforming agents from general-purpose assistants into specialized tools with deep integration into your systems and workflows.

Next Steps

MCP Server Search

Discover pre-built MCP servers for popular services

Credentials Manager

Manage authentication for MCP server connections

Agent Configuration

Configure agents with MCP server access

Agent Builder

Create specialized agents with MCP integrations

Getting started

Getting Started With Workers

Worker Tools

Worker Integrations

Worker Knowledge

Worker Triggers

Overview

MCP Server Connection Process

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol Explained

Understanding MCP

Setting Up MCP Server Connection

Step 1: Prepare Your MCP Server

Step 2: Connect in Utari

Using Connected MCP Servers

Natural Tool Usage

Example MCP Server Workflows

MCP Server Management

Managing Multiple MCP Servers

Updating MCP Connections

Security Best Practices

Secure Endpoints

Least Privilege

Authentication

HTTPS Only

Monitor Access

Rotate Credentials

Audit Logs

Test Safely

Troubleshooting

Summary

Next Steps

MCP Server Search

Credentials Manager

Agent Configuration

Agent Builder

Getting started

Getting Started With Workers

Worker Tools

Worker Integrations

Worker Knowledge

Worker Triggers

​Overview

​MCP Server Connection Process

​What is MCP?

​Model Context Protocol Explained

Understanding MCP

​Setting Up MCP Server Connection

​Step 1: Prepare Your MCP Server

​Step 2: Connect in Utari

​Using Connected MCP Servers

​Natural Tool Usage

​Example MCP Server Workflows

​MCP Server Management

​Managing Multiple MCP Servers

​Updating MCP Connections

​Security Best Practices

Secure Endpoints

Least Privilege

Authentication

HTTPS Only

Monitor Access

Rotate Credentials

Audit Logs

Test Safely

​Troubleshooting

​Summary

​Next Steps

MCP Server Search

Credentials Manager

Agent Configuration

Agent Builder

Overview

MCP Server Connection Process

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol Explained

Setting Up MCP Server Connection

Step 1: Prepare Your MCP Server

Step 2: Connect in Utari

Using Connected MCP Servers

Natural Tool Usage

Example MCP Server Workflows

MCP Server Management

Managing Multiple MCP Servers

Updating MCP Connections

Security Best Practices

Troubleshooting

Summary

Next Steps