--- title: Manage Hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server configurations slug: q1mb0212 canonical_url: https://docs.coveo.com/en/q1mb0212/ collection: leverage-machine-learning source_format: adoc --- # Manage Hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server configurations [organization members](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2869/) with the [required privileges](#required-privileges) can access the [**MCP Server**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/)) page in the [Coveo Administration Console](https://docs.coveo.com/en/183/) to create and manage Coveo Hosted Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server configurations. This article provides instructions on how to [add](#add-an-mcp-server), [configure](#configure-an-mcp-server), and [delete](#delete-an-mcp-server) Hosted MCP Server configurations. ## Prerequisites * Ensure you have at least one [source](https://docs.coveo.com/en/246/) in your [Coveo organization](https://docs.coveo.com/en/185/). * Determine the [tools](#manage-tools) you want to use ahead of time. * To use the [Passage Retrieval](#passage-retrieval-tool) or [Answer](#answer-tool) tool, complete the following tasks based on your use case. [%autowidth] |=== |Tool |Requirements .2+|Passage Retrieval |[Create a Passage Retrieval (CPR) model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/oaie5476/) and [associate it with a query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/oaie6403/). |[Create an SE model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb890247/) and [associate it with the same query pipeline as the CPR model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb8b0088/). .3+|Answer |[Create a Relevance Generative Answering (RGA) model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb6a0085/) and [associate it with a query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb6a0104/). |[Create an SE model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb890247/) and [associate it with the same query pipeline as the RGA model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nb8b0088/). a|[Set up an answer configuration](https://docs.coveo.com/en/p5db9314/). > **Note** > > Requires [privilege access](https://docs.coveo.com/en/p58d0270#required-privileges) to the [Knowledge Hub](https://docs.coveo.com/en/p59f0295/) in the [Administration Console](https://docs.coveo.com/en/183/). |=== > **Tip** > > The same Semantic Encoder (SE) model and [query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/) can be used for both tools. * See the [MCP client reference](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pbog0163#mcp-client-reference) to view the authentication methods that are currently supported for different MCP clients. This information will help you choose the appropriate [authentication method](#authentication-methods) for your Hosted MCP Server configuration. ## Add an MCP Server . On the [**MCP Server**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/)) page, click **Add MCP Server**. . On the **Add MCP Server** page: .. In the **Identification** section, enter a **Name** for your Hosted MCP Server configuration. .. In the **Tools** section, under **Query pipeline**, select a [query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/) from the dropdown menu. The [query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/) you select determines which [tools](#manage-tools) are available in your Hosted MCP Server configuration. > **Tip** > > The Search and Fetch tools are available for all [query pipelines](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/), while the Answer and Passage Retrieval tools are only available if the selected [query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/) has an associated RGA or CPR [model](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1012/), respectively. . Click **Add MCP Server**. . Access the **Overview**, **Tools**, and **Server implementation** tabs to [configure your Hosted MCP Server](#configure-an-mcp-server). . Click **Save** to apply your changes. ## Configure an MCP Server You can use the [**Overview**](#overview-tab), [**Tools**](#tools-tab), and [**Server implementation**](#server-implementation-tab) tabs to configure various aspects of your Hosted MCP Server, from general information to tool settings and server instructions. > **Tip** > > Any change you make to the Hosted MCP Server configuration takes effect after you refresh your LLM app. ### "Overview" tab The **Overview** tab provides general information about your Hosted MCP Server configuration. You can also configure the [authentication method](#authentication-methods) (OAuth or Anonymous API key) used by the MCP client to connect to the Hosted MCP Server. #### "Identification" section The **Identification** section displays the **Name** of your Hosted MCP Server configuration. #### "Details" section The **Details** section displays key information about your Hosted MCP Server configuration such as the [authentication method](#authentication-methods), [endpoint](#endpoint), and [search hub](#search-hub). ##### Authentication methods The **Authentication methods** section lets you configure the authentication method used by the MCP client to connect to the Hosted MCP Server. > **Tip** > > See the [MCP client reference](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pbog0163#mcp-client-reference) to view the authentication methods that are currently supported by different MCP clients. Select _one_ of the following methods: * **OAuth**: This authentication method is recommended for [private sources](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2092/) that require user authentication. Click **Manage access** to [manage member access](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1980/) to the tools available in your Hosted MCP Server configuration. * **Anonymous API key**: This authentication method is recommended for [public sources](https://docs.coveo.com/en/2094/) that don't require user authentication. Click **Create API key** to create an Anonymous API key. > **Important** > > Copy the generated API key and store it securely, as it won't be displayed again. > This key is required to [set up the MCP client](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pbog0163/). ##### Endpoint The **Endpoint** section displays the URL endpoint used to invoke the Hosted MCP Server. For more information, see [About the default configuration](#about-the-default-configuration). ##### Search hub The **Search hub** section displays the [search hub](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1342/) associated with your Hosted MCP Server configuration. This value is automatically generated to match the name of the Hosted MCP Server configuration at the time of its creation and can't be modified. It's used in Hosted MCP Server requests and [Coveo Analytics reports](https://docs.coveo.com/en/266/). ### "Tools" tab The **Tools** tab displays the tools that are available for use by your Hosted MCP Server. You can add, edit, or delete tools as needed to customize your Hosted MCP Server implementation. See [Manage tools](#manage-tools) for detailed instructions. ### "Server implementation" tab The **Server implementation** tab provides default instructions about how to use the Hosted MCP Server and its tools. Optionally, you can modify these instructions to better suit your specific use case. ### About the default configuration The first Hosted MCP Server configuration you create in your [Coveo organization](https://docs.coveo.com/en/185/) is automatically set as the **Default** configuration. This configuration is invoked using the `mcp.cloud.coveo.com/mcp` endpoint, which is the default endpoint used by the Coveo app in leading third-party LLM apps such as ChatGPT and in custom client applications. If you have multiple Hosted MCP Server configurations, you can change which one is set as the **Default** configuration at any time. Any configuration that's manually set as the **Default** configuration will be invoked using the _custom_ endpoint provided with that configuration rather than the default endpoint (`mcp.cloud.coveo.com/mcp`). See the ["Overview" tab](#overview-tab) for endpoint details. > **Important** > > The default Hosted MCP Server configuration can't be deleted. > However, you can set another configuration as the default, and then [delete the configuration](#delete-an-mcp-server) you no longer need. To set the default configuration . On the [**MCP Server**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/)) page, select the MCP Server configuration you want to set as the default. . In the Action bar, click **Set as default**. . Refresh your LLM app to apply this change. ## Manage tools This section provides an overview of the tools available for use by the Hosted MCP Server. It also provides instructions on how to [add](#add-a-tool), [edit](#edit-a-tool), and [delete](#delete-a-tool) tools. > **Tip** > > See [leading practices for tool instructions](#leading-practices-for-tool-instructions) for guidelines on how to write effective tool instructions and descriptions. ### Search tool Use the Search tool to perform full-text searches across your [indexed](https://docs.coveo.com/en/204/) content. It's useful for surfacing ranked [items](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) that match a [query](https://docs.coveo.com/en/231/), which helps end users find relevant information quickly. This tool leverages the [Coveo Search API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/52/). **Use case example** You want to build a research assistant that explores, filters, and reasons over results by executing [queries](https://docs.coveo.com/en/231/) to retrieve relevant [items](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) based on user input. ### Fetch tool Use the Fetch tool to retrieve a specific [item](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/) based on a unique identifier. It's particularly useful when direct access to a known [item](https://docs.coveo.com/en/210/), in the form of its full content, is required. This tool leverages a function of the [Coveo Search API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/13/api-reference/search-api#tag/Search-V3/operation/dataStreamV3). **Use case example** You want to build an internal knowledge bot that can retrieve a specific policy document or technical manual when an employee requests a document ID or title. ### Answer tool Use the Answer tool to generate answers using [Relevance Generative Answering (RGA)](https://docs.coveo.com/en/nbtb6010/). It's ideal for providing generated answers that are grounded in your [indexed](https://docs.coveo.com/en/204/) content. This tool leverages the [Coveo Answer API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/p3ob0090/). **Use case example** You want to build an autonomous support agent that answers or deflects tickets by providing end users with grounded generated answers using your official knowledge base and product documentation. ### Passage Retrieval tool Use the Passage Retrieval tool to retrieve specific sections of text, known as _passages_, from your [indexed](https://docs.coveo.com/en/204/) content. It's useful for retrieving the most relevant passages for a given [query](https://docs.coveo.com/en/231/) so third-party LLM apps can use them to generate answers. This tool leverages the [Coveo Passage Retrieval API](https://docs.coveo.com/en/o86c8334/). **Use case example** You want to build a legal assistant that can generate answers to complex questions by retrieving pertinent passages from contracts and legal documents grounded in your enterprise data. ### Add a tool . On the **Tools** tab, click **Add tool**. . In the **Add tool** modal, select the tool you want to add, and then click **Next**. . On the next screen, configure the following settings: .. Under **Query routing**, select a [query pipeline](https://docs.coveo.com/en/180/). .. (Only for the **Answer** tool) Under **Answer configuration**, select an existing [answer configuration](https://docs.coveo.com/en/p5db9314/). .. Under **Tool description**: ... Enter a unique **Name** that clearly indicates the tool's purpose. This name is used by the MCP client to invoke the tool. > **Tip** > > Follow the tool naming guidelines provided in the [MCP Specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/draft/server/tools#tool-names). ... Enter a detailed **Description**. Indicate what the tool does and when it should be used. Be explicit about the tool's capabilities and limitations to help the MCP client make informed decisions about when to invoke it. > **Tip** > > To view the default description for the tool you selected, click icon:refresh-arrows[alt=refresh-arrows,width=16] in the **Description** field. > Use this description as a starting point and customize it to fit your specific use case. > For guidance on writing effective tool descriptions, see [Leading practices for tool instructions](#leading-practices-for-tool-instructions). ... (Optional) Enter a **Display name** for the tool. Provide a human-readable name of the tool for display purposes. Whether or not the display name is shown to end users depends on the MCP client implementation. . Click **Add tool** to save your changes. ### Edit a tool . On the **Tools** tab, select the tool you want to edit. . Click [edit] to modify the tool's settings. . On the **Edit tool configuration** page, update the desired settings. . Click **Save** to apply your changes. ### Delete a tool . On the **Tools** tab, select the tool you want to delete. . Click [delete] to remove the tool. . Click **Delete** to confirm. . Click **Save** to apply your changes. ### Leading practices for tool instructions When configuring tool instructions for your Hosted MCP Server, follow these leading practices to optimize performance and relevance: * **Be specific**: Clearly define when and how each tool should be used to ensure the MCP client knows when to invoke each tool. * **Provide detailed instructions**: The more details you provide, the better the MCP client understands the tool's capabilities and limitations. * **Provide examples**: Include examples of [queries](https://docs.coveo.com/en/231/) or scenarios where each tool should be used. * **Test thoroughly**: Before deploying your Hosted MCP Server configuration, test the tool instructions in various scenarios to ensure they function as intended. * **Review and update**: Periodically assess the effectiveness of your tool instructions and make adjustments as needed based on end-user feedback and performance data. ## Delete an MCP Server > **Important** > > The default Hosted MCP Server configuration can't be deleted. > For this reason, you must [set another configuration as the default](#about-the-default-configuration) before you can delete the current default configuration. . On the [**MCP Server**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/)) page, select the Hosted MCP Server configuration you want to delete. . In the Action bar, click **Delete**. ## Required privileges The following table lists the [privileges](https://docs.coveo.com/en/228/) required to view or edit elements of the [**MCP Server**](https://platform.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) ([platform-ca](https://platform-ca.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-eu](https://platform-eu.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/) | [platform-au](https://platform-au.cloud.coveo.com/admin/#/orgid/ai-and-ml/mcp-server/)) page. For more information, see [Manage privileges](https://docs.coveo.com/en/3151/) and [Privilege reference](https://docs.coveo.com/en/1707/). [%autowidth] |=== |Action |Service - Domain |Required access level |View MCP Server configuration |Machine learning - MCP Server configuration |View |Edit MCP Server configuration |Machine learning - MCP Server configuration |Edit |=== ## What's next? Learn how to [set up MCP clients](https://docs.coveo.com/en/pbog0163/).