MCP
MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects QAnswer to external tools and services. With MCP servers enabled, the AI assistant can check your calendar, search your mail, query internal systems or fetch live data — directly from the chat.
How it fits together
Three concepts are all you need:
- MCP server — a catalog of related tools, such as Gmail, Google Calendar or your own Weather service. QAnswer ships with core capabilities and lets you add more.
- Tool — one action a server exposes, such as "Get Forecast" or "Draft Gmail Message". The AI picks the right tool based on its description.
- Connection — your personal access to a server that requires authentication — an API key or an OAuth login. Created once, reused across conversations.
Where you'll find MCP
- In the chat — the Actions list of a conversation is where you enable tools and watch them run.
- On the MCP page — click MCP in the left navigation to browse, add and manage servers.
Quick start
- Open a chat and enable a server in the Actions list.
- Ask your question naturally — the AI decides when a tool helps and calls it.
- Review the tool run: approve it when confirmation is requested, or connect your account when prompted.
Core capabilities
Web access, image generation and document generation are built-in MCP servers maintained by QAnswer — no setup needed, just switch them on in the Actions list.
Go further
- Use Tools in Chat — enable tools, approve runs, connect accounts.
- Add an MCP Server — register any MCP-compatible service in minutes.
- Connections & Authentication — API keys, OAuth 2.0 and per-user headers.
- Administration — organization-wide enablement, defaults and permissions.