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The Zell MCP connects Claude, ChatGPT, or Codex to your Zell workspace. All clients use this remote MCP endpoint:
Authentication uses OAuth, so you do not need to create or copy an API key.

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Which client are you using?

Claude Desktop

Add Zell as a custom connector in the Claude app.

ChatGPT

Add Zell as a custom app in ChatGPT Developer Mode.

Claude Code

Install Zell from your terminal and authorize it in a session.

Codex

Add and authorize Zell with the Codex CLI.

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Claude Desktop

1

Choose your setup path

Open the Claude desktop app and go to Settings → Connectors. Click Add in the upper-right corner, then select Add custom connector.Claude desktop app Connectors settings with the Add custom connector menu open and Zell shown as connected
2

Enter the Zell details

If you are using an individual plan or adding Zell as an organization owner, use Zell as the connector name and enter this URL as the remote MCP server URL:
Save or connect the custom connector.
3

Authorize Zell

On Team and Enterprise plans, every user—including the owner who added Zell—must go to Customize → Connectors, find Zell, and click Connect.Sign in to Zell in the browser window that opens and approve the connection.
4

Confirm the connection

Return to the connector list: Settings → Connectors on an individual plan or Customize → Connectors on a Team or Enterprise plan. Zell should appear as a custom web connector with a connected status.
Zell is now ready to use in Claude Desktop.
For more information about plan permissions, see Anthropic’s custom connector guide.

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ChatGPT

ChatGPT Developer Mode is available on the web for Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Education accounts. Managed workspaces may restrict who can create or publish custom apps.
1

Enable Developer Mode

Open ChatGPT on the web, go to Settings → Security and login, and turn on Developer mode.
2

Create the Zell app

Open ChatGPT Plugins, click the plus button, and create a Developer Mode app with these details:
3

Authorize Zell

Create the app and complete the OAuth prompt. Sign in to Zell and approve the connection. The finished app appears under Drafts in your ChatGPT app settings.
4

Test Zell in a chat

Start a new chat, open the plus menu, choose Developer mode, and select Zell for the conversation. Ask ChatGPT to use Zell in your prompt and review tool calls before approving them.
Zell is now ready to use in ChatGPT.
5

Publish for your workspace (optional)

In a managed workspace, an admin or owner can review the draft and publish Zell for other members. Each member connects their own Zell account before first use.
For current availability and security guidance, see OpenAI’s ChatGPT Developer Mode guide.

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Claude Code

1

Add the Zell MCP server

Run this command in your terminal:
This saves Zell as an HTTP MCP server named zell in Claude Code.Terminal showing the command that adds the Zell MCP server to Claude Code
2

Open Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session, or return to one that is already running.
3

Start OAuth from the MCP menu

Enter the following slash command inside the Claude Code session:
Select zell and follow the authentication prompt. Claude Code opens your browser so you can sign in to Zell and authorize the connection.Illustrated Claude Code flow: enter slash mcp, select Zell, authorize in the browser, and return connected
4

Confirm the connection

Return to Claude Code after authorization. Open /mcp again and confirm that zell is connected.
Zell is now ready to use in Claude Code.

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Codex

Add the Zell MCP server:
Then start OAuth login:
Complete the authorization in the browser window that opens. When you return to Codex, the Zell MCP server is ready to use.

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Troubleshooting

Confirm that you are using ChatGPT web with a Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, or Education account. In a managed workspace, ask your workspace admin whether Developer Mode or custom app creation is restricted.
Confirm that the MCP server URL is exactly https://api.getzell.com/mcp, refresh the Zell app from its settings, and complete the OAuth prompt again. If authorization expired, reconnect or recreate the app.
On an individual plan, add the custom connector again and confirm that the URL is exactly https://api.getzell.com/mcp. On Team and Enterprise plans, ask an Owner or Primary Owner to check that Zell is present under Organization settings → Connectors. After it is added there, users can find Zell under Customize → Connectors.
Run the claude mcp add command again and check that the server name is zell. Then restart your Claude Code session and open /mcp.
Open Zell from the Claude Desktop connector list or /mcp in Claude Code and start the connection again. In Codex, rerun codex mcp login zell. Follow any authorization URL displayed if the browser still does not open automatically.
Start the OAuth flow again from the Claude Desktop connector list, /mcp in Claude Code, or codex mcp login zell in Codex.