> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rippletide.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect an MCP server

> Rules only: inventory its tools and guard their execution.

Connect an MCP server to inventory its tools and apply rules before a tool can take an action. MCP servers are rules-only subjects: evaluation and improvement apply to full agents, not MCP servers.

## Start with a coding agent (recommended)

1. In **Agents & integrations**, select **Connect → MCP**.
2. Save the generated `.env` block in the root of your MCP server repository.
3. Give the setup prompt to Codex, Claude Code, or your preferred coding agent.
4. Run the server and make a tool call.

The setup prompt installs the SDK, declares the server's tools, loads the Connection key from the environment, and adds a guard at the tool dispatcher — the place every tool call passes through.

## Verify the connection

Your MCP server is ready when Rippletide shows:

* its tool inventory in [Harness management](/docs/harness-management);
* the decision for a real tool call in [Runtime events](/docs/runtime-events).

Then [write rules for the server's tools](/docs/write-rules) and start in [observe mode](/docs/observe-and-enforce). Nothing is blocked until you explicitly move a rule to enforce mode.

Need to wire the server yourself? Follow the [manual setup](/docs/manual-setup).