> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.novu.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Configure MCP servers

> Enable external tools like Linear, GitHub, and Notion on your Novu managed agent by configuring MCP servers in the dashboard for tool-augmented replies.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers give your managed agent access to external tools and data sources. When enabled, the AI platform can call these tools during a conversation to look up information, create records, or perform actions on the user's behalf.

## Enable an MCP server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the agent detail page">
    Open the [Novu dashboard](https://dashboard.novu.co) and go to your managed agent's detail page.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open MCP Servers">
    Open the **MCP Servers** section in the agent settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse available servers" />

  <Step title="Enable the server">
    Select the server you want to add and enable it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for sync">
    Novu syncs the configuration to the AI platform.
  </Step>
</Steps>

The server appears on the agent's settings page with a status indicator showing whether the sync was successful.

## Authentication modes

MCP servers have different authentication requirements:

| Mode                   | How it works                                                                              |
| ---------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **No auth**            | The server is publicly accessible. No credentials needed.                                 |
| **Novu-managed OAuth** | Novu handles the OAuth flow. End users authorize on first use and Novu stores the tokens. |
| **Provider-managed**   | The AI platform manages credentials in its own vault.                                     |

### Subscriber authorization flow

For servers that require OAuth (like Linear, GitHub, or Slack):

<Steps>
  <Step title="Agent encounters a tool call">
    Novu prompts the user to authorize the tool before continuing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Agent sends authorization link">
    The agent sends an authorization link to the user in the chat thread.
  </Step>

  <Step title="User completes OAuth">
    The user clicks the link and completes the OAuth flow on the external service.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Novu stores tokens">
    Novu stores the tokens securely and uses them on every subsequent turn.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Authorization is scoped to a single subscriber and a single MCP server. Each user authorizes independently. Once authorized, the connection persists across conversations.

## Disable an MCP server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open MCP Servers settings" />

  <Step title="Disable the server">
    Select the server you want to remove and disable it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for removal">
    Novu removes the server from the AI platform and deletes any associated connections.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  Disabling an MCP server also removes all subscriber OAuth connections for that server. Users will need to re-authorize if you enable it again.
</Warning>

## Available MCP servers

The exact list depends on your connector and Novu account tier. Common servers include:

| Server | What it does                                   |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------------- |
| Linear | Search issues, create tickets, browse projects |
| GitHub | Search repos, read files, list pull requests   |
| Slack  | Search workspace messages and channels         |
| Notion | Look up pages and query databases              |

The full list is shown on the agent settings page in the dashboard.

## Troubleshooting

**Sync error**: if a server shows a sync error after enabling, try disabling and re-enabling it. If the error persists, check that the connector credentials are valid.

**Authorization not completing**: make sure the user has access to the external service and that the OAuth redirect URL is not blocked by browser settings or an ad blocker.

## Related

<Columns cols={2}>
  <Card icon="wrench" href="/agents/managed-agent/add-skills" title="Add skills">
    Upload custom skills to teach the agent new workflows.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="brain" href="/agents/managed-agent/concepts" title="Concepts">
    Learn about connectors, MCP servers, skills, and how conversations work.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="zap" href="/agents/managed-agent/quickstart" title="Quickstart">
    Create a managed agent with Claude and connect it to Slack.
  </Card>
</Columns>