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

# Connect to the Zell MCP

> Set up the Zell MCP in Claude, ChatGPT, or Codex

The Zell MCP connects Claude, ChatGPT, or Codex to your Zell workspace. All clients use this remote MCP endpoint:

```text theme={null}
https://api.getzell.com/mcp
```

Authentication uses OAuth, so you do not need to create or copy an API key.

## Which client are you using?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Claude Desktop" icon="desktop" href="#claude-desktop">
    Add Zell as a custom connector in the Claude app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="ChatGPT" icon="sparkles" href="#chatgpt">
    Add Zell as a custom app in ChatGPT Developer Mode.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Claude Code" icon="terminal" href="#claude-code">
    Install Zell from your terminal and authorize it in a session.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Codex" icon="code" href="#codex">
    Add and authorize Zell with the Codex CLI.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Claude Desktop

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose your setup path">
    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Individual plan">
        Open the Claude desktop app and go to **Settings** → **Connectors**. Click **Add** in the upper-right corner, then select **Add custom connector**.

        <img src="https://mintcdn.com/zell/PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C/images/mcp/claude-connectors-zell-connected.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C&q=85&s=9ccfe8ffbceef7a28128da81f21c3f13" alt="Claude desktop app Connectors settings with the Add custom connector menu open and Zell shown as connected" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1906" height="1416" data-path="images/mcp/claude-connectors-zell-connected.png" />
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Team or Enterprise owner">
        An **Owner** or **Primary Owner** must first add Zell for the organization. Go to **Organization settings** → **Connectors**, click **Add**, then select **Custom** → **Web**.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Team or Enterprise member">
        Ask an **Owner** or **Primary Owner** to add Zell for your organization. After they add it, go to **Customize** → **Connectors**, find **Zell** with the **Custom** label, and click **Connect**.

        Skip the next step because your organization owner has already entered the server URL.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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:

    ```text theme={null}
    https://api.getzell.com/mcp
    ```

    Save or connect the custom connector.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Check>Zell is now ready to use in Claude Desktop.</Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

For more information about plan permissions, see [Anthropic's custom connector guide](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp).

## ChatGPT

<Info>
  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.
</Info>

<Steps>
  <Step title="Enable Developer Mode">
    Open ChatGPT on the web, go to **Settings** → **Security and login**, and turn on **Developer mode**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create the Zell app">
    Open [ChatGPT Plugins](https://chatgpt.com/plugins), click the **plus** button, and create a Developer Mode app with these details:

    | Field          | Value                         |
    | -------------- | ----------------------------- |
    | Name           | `Zell`                        |
    | MCP server URL | `https://api.getzell.com/mcp` |
    | Authentication | OAuth                         |
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Check>Zell is now ready to use in ChatGPT.</Check>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>
</Steps>

For current availability and security guidance, see [OpenAI's ChatGPT Developer Mode guide](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/developer-mode).

## Claude Code

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add the Zell MCP server">
    Run this command in your terminal:

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add --transport http zell https://api.getzell.com/mcp
    ```

    This saves Zell as an HTTP MCP server named `zell` in Claude Code.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/zell/PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C/images/mcp/claude-add-zell.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C&q=85&s=78ad7ae8a1d90825735c4461b061bb53" alt="Terminal showing the command that adds the Zell MCP server to Claude Code" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1400" height="720" data-path="images/mcp/claude-add-zell.svg" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Claude Code">
    Start a new Claude Code session, or return to one that is already running.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start OAuth from the MCP menu">
    Enter the following slash command inside the Claude Code session:

    ```text theme={null}
    /mcp
    ```

    Select **zell** and follow the authentication prompt. Claude Code opens your browser so you can sign in to Zell and authorize the connection.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/zell/PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C/images/mcp/claude-oauth-flow.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=PFmbWkhGgnVdQ88C&q=85&s=9c0a1892c6e85de8460d24c4e556da03" alt="Illustrated Claude Code flow: enter slash mcp, select Zell, authorize in the browser, and return connected" style={{ borderRadius: '0.75rem' }} width="1600" height="940" data-path="images/mcp/claude-oauth-flow.svg" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the connection">
    Return to Claude Code after authorization. Open `/mcp` again and confirm that **zell** is connected.

    <Check>Zell is now ready to use in Claude Code.</Check>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Codex

Add the Zell MCP server:

```bash theme={null}
codex mcp add zell --url https://api.getzell.com/mcp
```

Then start OAuth login:

```bash theme={null}
codex mcp login zell
```

Complete the authorization in the browser window that opens. When you return to Codex, the Zell MCP server is ready to use.

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="ChatGPT does not show Developer Mode or Create">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="ChatGPT cannot scan the Zell tools">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Zell does not appear in Claude Desktop">
    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**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Claude Code does not show Zell in /mcp">
    Run the `claude mcp add` command again and check that the server name is `zell`. Then restart your Claude Code session and open `/mcp`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="The browser did not open">
    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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Authorization expired or was revoked">
    Start the OAuth flow again from the Claude Desktop connector list, `/mcp` in Claude Code, or `codex mcp login zell` in Codex.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>