# MCP Connection Guide

Bindly uses the **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** to let LLMs access your knowledge. Connect in seconds with one command.

## Quick Install

```bash
npx bindly-mcp
```

This auto-detects Claude Code, Claude Desktop, and Cursor, and configures them automatically.

### Install for a specific client

```bash
npx bindly-mcp --claude-code      # Claude Code
npx bindly-mcp --claude-desktop   # Claude Desktop
npx bindly-mcp --cursor           # Cursor
```

## Claude Web (claude.ai)

You can connect Bindly directly from claude.ai as a custom connector:

1. Go to [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) and sign in
2. Open the connector settings — either:
   - In the chat input, click the **+** button → **Connectors** → **Manage connectors**, or
   - Open your profile menu → **Customize** → **Connectors**
3. Click **Add custom connector**
4. Fill in the dialog:
   - **Name**: `Bindly`
   - **Remote MCP server URL**: `https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp`
   - OAuth Client ID / Secret (under **Advanced settings**): leave empty — Bindly does not require them
5. Click **Add**, then complete the OAuth flow when prompted

Once connected, you can use Bindly tools in any Claude conversation on the web.

**How it runs**: claude.ai connectors run on Anthropic's cloud infrastructure, not on your device. Only publicly reachable HTTPS endpoints work — `https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp` is fine, but `localhost` and `cloudflared` Quick Tunnels are not.

**Plan limits** (custom connectors are in beta): Free = 1 custom connector, Pro / Max = unlimited, Team / Enterprise = the workspace Owner must enable connectors first.

## Manual Setup

### Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http bindly https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp
```

### Claude Desktop

Add to your MCP settings (`~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` on macOS):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bindly": {
      "url": "https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Cursor

Add Bindly as an MCP server in Cursor Settings > MCP, or add to `~/.cursor/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bindly": {
      "url": "https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Other MCP Clients

- **Streamable HTTP**: `https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp`

## Authentication

Bindly uses **progressive authentication** — many tools work without login:

### Public access (no auth needed)

These tools work immediately after MCP connection:
- `check_connection` — verify connection status
- `mcp_list_spaces` — browse public spaces
- `mcp_search` — search public knowledge
- `mcp_get_binding` / `mcp_get_bindings` — read public bindings
- `mcp_list_bindings` — list bindings in public spaces
- `mcp_help` — learn how Bindly works

### Authenticated access (OAuth auto-triggered)

Call `connect()` to log in — your MCP client automatically starts OAuth:
1. Your MCP client opens a browser window
2. Log in to your Bindly account (or create one)
3. Authorize the connection
4. Return to your LLM — all 29 tools are now available

## What Your LLM Can Do

Once connected, your LLM has access to 29 tools:

- **Save knowledge**: `mcp_create_binding` — save content from conversations
- **Search**: `mcp_search` — find knowledge by semantic or keyword search
- **Retrieve**: `mcp_get_binding` — get full content with version history
- **Organize**: `mcp_create_set`, `mcp_add_version_to_set` — build collections
- **Comment**: `mcp_add_comment` — add notes to Bindings or Versions
- **Share**: `mcp_create_share` — create temporary share links

See the [MCP Tools Reference](/help/mcp/tools) for the complete list.

## User Keys (Alternative Auth)

For programmatic access or when OAuth isn't available:
1. Go to bind.ly/settings
2. Create a User Key
3. Use the `userk_*` token in your MCP client configuration

## Troubleshooting

**"Connection failed"**: Check your MCP client supports Streamable HTTP protocol.

**"Authentication required"**: Call `connect()` — your MCP client will start OAuth automatically. If auto-auth doesn't work, try removing and re-adding Bindly:

- Claude Code: `claude mcp remove bindly && claude mcp add --transport http bindly https://mcp.bind.ly/mcp`
- Claude Desktop / Cursor: restart the app to re-trigger OAuth

**"Permission denied"**: You may not have access to the requested Space. Use `mcp_list_spaces` to see your accessible Spaces.

## Try It Out

Once connected, try these commands with your AI:

- "List my Bindly spaces"
- "Save this to Bindly"
- "Search my Bindly for [topic]"

Or browse the [@bindly](https://bind.ly/@bindly) Space for guides and documentation.