How do we connect external tools using MCP?

MCP connectors let Harriet call approved third-party tools through governed skills—create them with New connector in Company settings, sync tools, and control who can use them.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) lets Harriet use external tools you approve—spreadsheets, internal APIs, specialist SaaS—through skills attached to workflows or chat surfaces.

What IT should do

In Company settings → Integrations, choose New connector and complete the MCP wizard (Basics → Connection → Authentication → Access). Connection types include OpenAPI / Swagger, Native MCP (HTTPS server URL), and Sandboxed (npx / uvx)—see How to create an MCP connector (Company settings) for the full outline.
After saving, run Sync tools so Harriet discovers tools; configure tool permissions and confirmation requirements.
Decide which skills may call that MCP and which user groups may trigger them.
Review least privilege: enable only the tools your organization needs.
If Endpoint AI is enabled, connectors may go through a review queue before broad rollout—coordinate reviewers alongside skill authors.

How it shows up for users

Users do not “install MCP” themselves; they use Harriet features (chat, workflows) where an admin has enabled the relevant skill.
If a skill is not enabled for a channel or group, users will not be able to invoke those tools.

Example

You deploy an MCP server that searches your internal policy wiki. IT registers it with New connector, attaches it to a Knowledge or custom skill, syncs tools, and limits the skill to HR admins during pilot.

Guardrails

Every new MCP server is a new security and data boundary—review data residency, logging, and credential storage (see MCP authorization and stored credentials).
Revisit enabled skills after reorganizations or integration ownership changes.

For Git-backed skill packages and Skilify submissions that attach to connectors, see MCP from GitHub and registries—sandboxed connectors vs skill packages and Using Skilify to build skills locally, submit for review, and provision them.