## Connect AI clients to Barndoor

### Overview

Add your Barndoor ToolIQ endpoint [found here](https://app.barndoor.ai/settings/ai-client-setup) to your favorite chat client. If you're not already logged in, you'll be redirected to Barndoor to authenticate and authorize the MCP servers you want to access.

### Connect Your Chat Client

Select your preferred AI chat client below to see detailed connection instructions:

#### Claude

**Prerequisites:**
* Active Claude account (Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plan)
* Universal Barndoor URL

### Connection Steps

Follow the [official guide for connecting to remote MCP servers](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-getting-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp) for step-by-step instructions.

1. **Open Settings**  
   Navigate to **Settings > Connectors**.

2. **Add Custom Connector**  
   Click **"Add custom connector"** at the bottom of the Connectors section.

3. **Configure Connection**  
   Enter your MCP server URL (e.g., `https://{{your-org}}.platform.barndoor.ai/mcp/mcp`).  
   Optionally, click **"Advanced settings"** to provide an OAuth Client ID and OAuth Client Secret for your server.

4. **Finish**  
   Click **"Add"** to save your connector.

5. **Use in Conversations**  
   Start a new conversation — Claude will have access to your connector's tools and data.

### Custom GPT with Actions

Follow the [official guide for connecting to remote MCP servers](https://developers.openai.com/apps-sdk/deploy/connect-chatgpt/).

1. **Create Custom GPT**  
   Go to [ChatGPT](https://chat.openai.com) and navigate to Settings → Apps → ***Create App***.

2. **Provide the metadata for your App**  
   * Name – a user-facing title such as Kanban board.
   * Description – explain what the connector does and when to use it. The model uses this text during discovery.
   * MCP server URL – the public /mcp endpoint of your server (for example [https://abc123.ngrok.app/mcp](https://abc123.ngrok.app/mcp)).

3. **Test & Publish**  
   Click Create. If the connection succeeds you will see a list of the tools your server advertises. If it fails, refer to the [Testing](https://developers.openai.com/apps-sdk/deploy/testing) guide to debug your app with MCP Inspector or the API Playground.

#### Security Best Practices
* Never share your MCP server credentials publicly or commit them to version control.
* Use environment variables for sensitive credentials.
* Implement proper authentication and authorization.
* Use HTTPS for all MCP server connections.
* Regularly rotate API keys and tokens.
* Monitor Barndoor server logs.