# Install the Airbyte MCP Copy Page CoreStandardPlusProEnterprise Flex[ Compare](https://airbyte.com/pricing) The Airbyte MCP is a hosted, remote MCP server. You don't need to install anything. Give your MCP client this URL and sign in with your Airbyte Cloud account. To use the Airbyte MCP with self-managed Airbyte Core, see [Use the Airbyte MCP with Airbyte Core](/platform/airbyte-mcp/self-managed.md). ``` https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp ``` ## Read-only mode[​](#read-only-mode "Direct link to Read-only mode") To limit your agent's Airbyte access to read-only, use this URL instead: ``` https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp?read-only=true ``` In read-only mode, your agent only gets read-only tools. It can list and check your sources, destinations, and connections, read job logs, and answer questions. It can't create, change, or delete anything, and it can't run or cancel syncs. Use this URL anywhere these instructions use the main URL. To leave read-only mode, switch your client back to the main URL or use the explicit `read-only=false` syntax. For more options, see [Advanced configuration](/platform/airbyte-mcp/advanced-configuration.md). ## Prerequisites[​](#prerequisites "Direct link to Prerequisites") * An [Airbyte Cloud](https://cloud.airbyte.com) account. * An MCP client that supports remote MCP servers with OAuth and the Streamable HTTP transport. * To read data directly from sources and destinations, an organization admin must [enable the context layer](/platform/context-layer/manage-access.md). However, you can use the Airbyte MCP to manage pipelines without it. ## Sign in[​](#sign-in "Direct link to Sign in") The first time your client connects, it opens the Airbyte Cloud sign-in page in your browser. Sign in with the account you use for Airbyte Cloud and grant access. If your organization uses [single sign-on](/platform/access-management/sso.md), select **Sign in with SSO** and enter your **Company identifier**. This is the same identifier you enter after you select **Continue with SSO** on the Airbyte Cloud sign-in page. If you don't know it, ask your Airbyte organization admin. Your client finds the Airbyte MCP's authorization and token endpoints and registers itself automatically, so you only need the server URL. If your client has optional OAuth settings, like a client ID, client secret, authorization URL, or token URL, leave them blank. Your client keeps you signed in while you use the Airbyte MCP. If you don't use it for 14 days, you may need to sign in again. If you belong to more than one organization or workspace, the Airbyte MCP uses your default workspace. Ask your agent to list your workspaces or switch to a different one at any time. ## Add the Airbyte MCP to your client[​](#add-the-airbyte-mcp-to-your-client "Direct link to Add the Airbyte MCP to your client") Expand your client below for setup instructions. ChatGPT web ChatGPT connects to remote MCP servers as custom apps in developer mode. Developer mode is available on ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, and education plans, and workspace admins control who can use it. For details, see [Developer mode and MCP apps in ChatGPT](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/12584461). 1. In [ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com), confirm developer mode is on for your account. Go to **Settings** > **Apps** > **Advanced settings**. 2. Go to **Settings** > **Apps** and click **Create**. 3. Enter a name, like `Airbyte`, and enter the MCP server URL: `https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp`. 4. Choose OAuth authentication. 5. Click **Scan Tools**. When prompted, sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. 6. Click **Create**. 7. In a new conversation, add the Airbyte app and ask ChatGPT to use it. For example, *"Use Airbyte to list my connections."* ChatGPT desktop The ChatGPT desktop app uses the apps you add to your ChatGPT account. Follow the **ChatGPT web** instructions to add the Airbyte MCP in your browser, then start a new conversation in the desktop app and add the Airbyte app. Claude web Claude connects to remote MCP servers as custom connectors. For details, see [Get started with custom connectors using remote MCP](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp). 1. In [Claude](https://claude.ai), go to **Customize** > **Connectors**. 2. Click **+** next to **Connectors**, then select **Add custom connector**. 3. Enter a name, like `Airbyte`, and enter the URL: `https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp`. 4. Click **Add**, then click **Connect**. 5. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner must first add the custom connector in **Organization settings** > **Connectors**. After that, each member finds it in **Customize** > **Connectors** and clicks **Connect**. Claude Desktop Custom connectors you add on Claude web are also available in Claude Desktop. Follow the **Claude web** instructions in Claude Desktop or in your browser. Claude connects to the Airbyte MCP from the cloud, so you don't need to edit a local configuration file. Claude Code 1. Run the following command in your terminal. ``` claude mcp add --transport http airbyte https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp ``` 2. Run Claude Code with `claude`. 3. Type `/mcp`, select **airbyte**, then select **Authenticate**. Your browser opens. 4. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. 5. Return to Claude Code and start using the Airbyte MCP. VS Code [Click to install in VS Code](https://vscode.dev/redirect?url=vscode%3Amcp%2Finstall%3F%257B%2522name%2522%253A%2522airbyte%2522%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522http%2522%252C%2522url%2522%253A%2522https%253A%252F%252Fmcp.airbyte.com%252Fmcp%2522%257D), or set it up manually. To install from the command line, run: ``` code --add-mcp '{"name":"airbyte","type":"http","url":"https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp"}' ``` To install with a configuration file, add this to `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace, or run **MCP: Open User Configuration** from the Command Palette to edit your user configuration. ``` { "servers": { "airbyte": { "type": "http", "url": "https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp" } } } ``` VS Code detects that the server requires OAuth and opens your browser. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. Tools from the Airbyte MCP are then available in Copilot Chat. VS Code Insiders [Click to install in VS Code Insiders](https://insiders.vscode.dev/redirect?url=vscode-insiders%3Amcp%2Finstall%3F%257B%2522name%2522%253A%2522airbyte%2522%252C%2522type%2522%253A%2522http%2522%252C%2522url%2522%253A%2522https%253A%252F%252Fmcp.airbyte.com%252Fmcp%2522%257D), or set it up manually. To install from the command line, run: ``` code-insiders --add-mcp '{"name":"airbyte","type":"http","url":"https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp"}' ``` To install with a configuration file, add this to `.vscode/mcp.json` in your workspace, or run **MCP: Open User Configuration** from the Command Palette to edit your user configuration. ``` { "servers": { "airbyte": { "type": "http", "url": "https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp" } } } ``` VS Code Insiders detects that the server requires OAuth and opens your browser. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. Tools from the Airbyte MCP are then available in Copilot Chat. Cursor [Click to install in Cursor](cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=airbyte\&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21jcC5haXJieXRlLmNvbS9tY3AifQ%3D%3D), or add this to `.cursor/mcp.json`: ``` { "mcpServers": { "airbyte": { "url": "https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp" } } } ``` In **Cursor Settings** > **Tools and MCP**, find **airbyte** and click **Connect**. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. Other clients The Airbyte MCP works with any client that supports remote MCP servers with OAuth and the Streamable HTTP transport. Use this server URL: ``` https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp ``` Many clients accept a JSON configuration like this. Key names vary by client, so check your client's documentation. ``` { "mcpServers": { "airbyte": { "url": "https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp" } } } ``` When your client first connects, it detects that the server requires OAuth. It may open your browser automatically, or you may need to click a button to start sign-in. Sign in to Airbyte Cloud and grant access. ## Connect without a browser[​](#connect-without-a-browser "Direct link to Connect without a browser") Authenticate with an Airbyte application Automated agents, scripts, and CI jobs can't complete a browser sign-in. Instead, they can authenticate with an Airbyte application's client ID and client secret. If a person uses the agent, [add the Airbyte MCP to your client](#add-the-airbyte-mcp-to-your-client) and sign in with a browser instead. 1. [Create an application](/platform/using-airbyte/configuring-api-access.md) and copy its client ID and client secret. The application acts with the permissions of the user who created it, so consider using a service account. 2. Send the client ID and client secret in the `Client-Id` and `Client-Secret` headers of every request to the Airbyte MCP. The Airbyte MCP exchanges them for a new access token on each request, so your agent doesn't need a token endpoint, an authorization endpoint, or to refresh tokens. ``` { "mcpServers": { "airbyte": { "url": "https://mcp.airbyte.com/mcp", "headers": { "Client-Id": "", "Client-Secret": "" } } } } ``` 3. Optional: to choose a workspace or organization other than your default, add the `X-Airbyte-Workspace-Id` or `X-Airbyte-Organization-Id` header. Don't enter the application's client ID and client secret in your client's OAuth settings. The Airbyte MCP only accepts them in request headers. Treat the client secret like a password. Keep it out of version control, and use your client's secret storage or environment variables if it supports them. note You can also send an [access token](/platform/using-airbyte/configuring-api-access.md#step-2-get-an-access-token) in an `Authorization: Bearer ` header. Access tokens expire after 15 minutes, so only use this method if your agent or script requests new tokens on its own. ## Next steps[​](#next-steps "Direct link to Next steps") * See what your agent can do in [Airbyte MCP tools](/platform/airbyte-mcp/tools.md). * Ask an organization admin to [enable the context layer](/platform/context-layer/manage-access.md) so your agent can read data directly from sources and destinations.