MCP

To access this section click on Tool on the left navigation bar.

What is MCP?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) allows you to extend QAnswerApp's capabilities by connecting external tools and services. This enables the AI assistant to perform actions like checking your calendar, accessing files, querying databases, and much more.

Accessing MCP Tools in the Playground

• Navigate to the Playground or AI Assistant Chat Task: When you first open the QAnswer App, you'll land on the Playground page. or navigate to an AI assistant chat task. You'll see a chat box.
• Open the Actions Menu: Look for the Actions icon button in the chat box a Modal will open and display all the tools available to the user.

• Enable/Disable Tools:
• Toggle tools on or off based on what you need
  • You can enable multiple tools simultaneously
• Set Confirmation Mode (Optional)
  • When enabling a tool, you can activate "Ask for confirmation"
  • This ensures that before any tool is executed, you'll be asked to approve:
    • The tool being called
    • The parameters being used
  • You can modify parameters before accepting the request

Using MCP Tools in Chat

Basic Usage

Once you've enabled tools, simply chat naturally with the AI assistant:

Example:

You: "What are the events in my calendar today?"

Two Scenarios:

Scenario 1: Connection Already Exists

• The LLM will automatically call the appropriate tool
• If confirmation mode is enabled, you'll be prompted to approve the action
• You'll receive your response immediately

Scenario 2: No Connection

• The system will prompt you to add a connection first
• Follow the connection setup process
• Return to the chat
• The tool will be called automatically and you'll get your answer

Managing MCP Servers

Accessing the Tools Page

• Navigate to the Tools tab in the navigation bar
• You'll see a comprehensive list of all available MCP server

Adding Your Own MCP Server

• Click the Add MCP Server button
• Fill in the required information:
• Server name
• Server URL/endpoint
• Authentication details (if required)
• Other configuration parameters
• Click Save

Configuring Your MCP Server

After adding a server: Add a Connection

• Set up the connection credentials
• Provide any necessary API keys or authentication tokens

Test the Connection

• Use the built-in test feature to verify everything works
• Check for any connection errors View Available Tools
• Browse all tools that this MCP server provides
• Read descriptions of what each tool does Enable Tools
• Select which tools you want to make available in the app
• You can enable or disable tools individually

Return to Playground

• Go back to the Playground or AI Assistant
• Select which enabled tools the AI should have access to
• Start using your new tools!

Exploring Pre-configured MCP Servers

Browsing Available Servers

• On the Tools page, you can see other MCP servers
• Click on any server to:
• Read detailed descriptions
• View the list of tools they offer
• Understand their capabilities
• See usage examples

Permission Levels

What You Can Do Based on Your Role:

Admin (Platform)

• Enable or disable any MCP server platform-wide
• Full access to all server configurations

Organization Admin

• Enable or disable any MCP server for your organization
• Manage which tools your team can access

Regular Users

• Modify your own MCP servers
• Update configurations and settings
• Manage connections
• Enable/disable tools for personal use
• Add personal MCP server connections
• Use enabled tools in the Playground and AI Assistants

Best Practices

1. Start with Confirmation Mode

• Enable "Ask for confirmation" when first testing new tools
• Review parameters before execution
• Disable once you're comfortable with the tool

2. Test Connections

• Always test connections after adding a new MCP server
• Verify tools are working before relying on them

3. Enable Only What You Need

• Don't enable all tools at once
• Keep your Actions menu clean and relevant
• This improves AI performance and reduces confusion

4. Read Tool Descriptions

• Understand what each tool does before enabling
• Check required parameters
• Note any limitations or requirements

Troubleshooting

Tool Not Working?

• Verify the connection is active
• Test the connection from the Tools page
• Check if the tool is enabled
• Ensure you have proper permissions

Can't See a Tool?

• Check if the MCP server is enabled for your organization
• Verify the tool is enabled in the server settings
• Confirm you've selected it in the Actions dialogue

Connection Issues?

• Re-test the connection
• Verify credentials and API keys
• Check server status
• Contact your organization admin