Set Up bkend MCP Server

💡 Install the bkend MCP server and authenticate in your AI tool.

Prerequisites

• A bkend account and Organization (create one in the Quick Start Guide)

• An AI tool installed (Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, etc.)

---

Step 1: Add the MCP Server (Installation)

Claude Code

Run the following command in your terminal:

claude mcp add --scope user bkend --transport http https://api.bkend.ai/mcp

Alternatively, add to your .mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bkend": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.bkend.ai/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Cursor

VS Code

Other (stdio)

---

Step 2: Authenticate

After configuring the MCP server, you need to authenticate.

Claude Code

In a regular terminal (not the IDE extension), run:

claude /mcp

Select the bkend server, then select Authenticate to begin the authentication flow.

bkend server showing "needs authentication" status

Select "Authenticate" to begin

Cursor / VS Code / Other

Authentication Flow

Once authentication begins:

1. Your browser opens automatically

2. Log in to bkend

3. Select your Organization and approve permissions

4. Return to your tool — the connection is now active

Select your Organization and authorize

Authentication successful — you can close this window

Terminal confirms "Connected to bkend"

💡 For detailed information about the authentication protocol (OAuth 2.1, token management), see OAuth 2.1 Authentication.

---

Step 3: Verify the Connection

Ask your AI tool:

"Show me the list of projects connected to bkend"

If you see your projects listed, the setup is complete.

---

Managing Your Configuration

Check registered MCP servers (Claude Code)

claude mcp list

Remove an MCP server (Claude Code)

claude mcp remove bkend

Update an MCP server (Claude Code)

claude mcp remove bkend
claude mcp add --scope user bkend --transport http https://api.bkend.ai/mcp

---

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Solution
/mcp shows failed	Verify the URL is correct, then remove and re-add the server
Browser does not open	Make sure you selected Authenticate in /mcp
needs authentication persists	Complete login and Organization selection in the browser
Token expired error	Refresh Token has expired (30 days). Restart your tool — re-authentication proceeds automatically
Tools do not appear	Confirm you have an Organization in the bkend console. Remove and re-add the server
VPN/firewall blocked	Ensure HTTPS outbound to https://api.bkend.ai/mcp is allowed
mcp-remote connection fails	Verify Node.js 18+ is installed: npx mcp-remote --version

⚠️ On corporate networks or VPN environments, outbound HTTPS connections to https://api.bkend.ai/mcp may be blocked. If the connection fails, check with your network administrator whether the domain is allowed.

---

Next Steps

• Usage — Prompt examples and best practices

• OAuth 2.1 Authentication — Detailed authentication flow

• MCP Tools Overview — Available tools and resources