External MCP servers
Give Helpin agents access to tools in other products by connecting remote MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers. For example, connect Linear or Sentry so an agent can look up issues while it works. You choose exactly which tools agents may use.
This page covers tools that Helpin agents call. To let outside AI clients connect to Helpin, see Helpin MCP.
Before you start
Everyone in the workspace can view connections. Adding, changing, or removing them requires a workspace Admin or Owner; others see Connections are read-only.
If the page shows External MCP is not enabled in this environment, external tools aren't available on your Helpin server yet.
Helpin supports remote servers that use the Streamable HTTP transport.
Connect a server
Open Settings and, under Integration, select External tools (MCP).
Select Add server (or Add your first server).
In Connect an MCP server, pick one of the Provider presets (Customer.io (US), Customer.io (EU), Linear, or Sentry), or choose Remote MCP server under Or bring your own. Then select Continue.
Under Configure connection, enter a Display name and the MCP server URL (presets fill these in for you).
Choose an Authentication method:
Method | When to use it |
|---|---|
OAuth | The provider supports sign-in. You can add optional OAuth scopes |
Bearer token | The server accepts an API token, sent as an Authorization header |
Custom headers | The server needs one or more secret headers |
No authentication | Public servers or servers on a protected network |
Select Continue to authorize (OAuth) and approve access with the provider, or select Connect server.
Saved credentials are never shown again after you connect.
Choose which tools agents can use
After a server connects, Helpin discovers its tools.
Select Manage tools on the server.
Turn each tool on or off, and set its access to read or write.
Enabled tools appear under External MCP in the agent editor, where you can add them to an agent.
Connection status
Status | What to do |
|---|---|
Connected | Nothing; the server is ready |
Authorization needed / Reconnect | Select Connect or Reconnect and approve access again |
More access needed | Reconnect and grant the additional access the provider requests |
Connection error / Disconnected | Check the server URL and credentials, then reconnect |
Disabled at provider | Re-enable access in the other product |
Use the refresh icon to discover tools again after the provider adds new ones.
Remove a server
Select Remove and confirm. The stored credential and the discovered tools are deleted, and agents can no longer use them.
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