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

# MCP Quickstart

> Connect Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or Codex to the Alphacast MCP server in three steps and run your first prompt.

The Alphacast MCP server can be reached two ways: the **hosted** server at `https://mcp.alphacast.io/mcp` (no install, sign in with OAuth) or the **local** npm package (`@alphacast/mcp`) that your client runs via `npx`. Both expose the same 32 tools. Pick one path below.

## Option A — Hosted (recommended, no install)

Nothing to install and no API key to copy. Your client connects to the remote URL and you authorize it in the browser with your Alphacast account.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add the remote server to your client">
    **Claude Code**: run this in a terminal.

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add --transport http alphacast https://mcp.alphacast.io/mcp
    ```

    **Claude Desktop**: open **Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector**, name it `alphacast`, and paste the URL `https://mcp.alphacast.io/mcp`. See the [Claude Desktop guide](/mcp/configuration/claude-desktop).

    For Codex, Cursor, and other clients, see their [configuration guides](/mcp/configuration/cursor) — each shows the remote URL setup.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in with OAuth">
    The first time the client connects, it opens your browser to `auth.alphacast.io`. Sign in (or approve if already signed in) and grant the requested `mcp:read` / `mcp:write` scopes. The client stores the token and reconnects automatically afterwards.

    In Claude Code, if the browser doesn't open on its own, run `/mcp`, select `alphacast`, and choose **Authenticate**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run your first prompt">
    > "List my Alphacast repositories."

    The client should call `list_repositories` and display the result. If you get a `401`, re-run the OAuth step — the token may have expired or been declined.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Option B — Local (npm package)

Runs the server as a local subprocess. Requires Node.js 18+ and an API key.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get your API key">
    Sign in to Alphacast and open [Settings](https://www.alphacast.io/settings) to copy your API key (or generate a new one). If you belong to multiple teams, make sure your active team subscription is selected first. The same key you use for the REST API works for the MCP server.

    <Warning>
      Treat the key like a password. It grants the same permissions as your account. Store it in a secrets manager or an environment variable, not in source control.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add the server to your client">
    **Claude Code**: run this command in a terminal.

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add alphacast -e ALPHACAST_API_KEY=YOUR_API_KEY -- npx -y @alphacast/mcp
    ```

    **Claude Desktop**: follow the [Claude Desktop guide](/mcp/configuration/claude-desktop) — it walks through editing `claude_desktop_config.json` step by step, including non-standard install paths. For Codex, Cursor, and other clients, see [Configuration](/mcp/configuration/cursor).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Run your first prompt">
    Restart the client so it picks up the new server, then try a prompt that uses one of the tools:

    > "List my Alphacast repositories."

    The client should call `list_repositories` and display the result. If you see an authentication error, double-check that the `ALPHACAST_API_KEY` environment variable is set correctly in the previous step.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Tools reference" icon="wrench" href="/mcp/tools/overview">
    Browse all 32 tools and their input schemas.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Examples" icon="lightbulb" href="/mcp/examples">
    See full prompts that combine search, download, and provider tools.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>