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Add an MCP server to Claude Web

Updated · Screenshots from claude.ai, November 2026

On claude.ai, a remote MCP server is a custom connector, added from the Customize page. This guide connects BRONTIR, which gives Claude live web research (search, Reddit, YouTube, reviews and whole pages, with citations), and the same screens add any other remote MCP server. There is nothing to install, and the whole sign-in stays in one browser tab. A connector belongs to your Claude account, so it shows up in the desktop app as well.

Using the Claude desktop app? Claude Desktop MCP setup →

Your client opens a browser tab to sign in, so have a BRONTIR account ready. Opening one is free, and new accounts start with free credits.

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Claude Web MCP setup, screen by screen

Sign in with Google

For claude.ai in a browser. Nothing to install, and the sign-in stays in the one tab.

claude.ai in a browser with Customize in the left sidebar

  • Open Customize in the Claude sidebar

    On claude.ai, signed in to your account. It opens as a full page with its own tabs, and everything below happens there.

Always restart your client after connecting. Quit and reopen the desktop app, or reload the page in a web client. Clients read the tool list once at startup, so until they restart your agent may not see the new tools even though the connector already shows as connected.

Claude Web MCP troubleshooting

  • The connector is connected, but the agent doesn't see the tools. Restart the client: quit and reopen the desktop app, or reload the page in a web client. If the tools are still missing, start a new chat, since an open conversation can keep the tool list it was created with.
  • You pressed Approve, but the client still shows the connector as not connected. Authorization did go through; the client just hasn't refreshed its own state. Restart the app or reload the page and it will show as connected. If it doesn't, press Connect once more and approve again.
  • The agent uses its built-in web search instead of these tools. Name the tools in your prompt: “use advanced_web_search and advanced_web_fetch from the webtools MCP” rather than “look this up”. To make it permanent, add the rule to Instructions for Claude, in Settings → Account. You can also switch the built-in web search off in the chat’s tool settings.

Full setup guide for every client: brontir.com/docs.

Claude Web MCP setup: every step

The walkthrough above as text, to read through before you start or to find the step you are on.

  1. Open Customize in the Claude sidebar

    On claude.ai, signed in to your account. It opens as a full page with its own tabs, and everything below happens there.

  2. Switch to the Connectors tab

    Customize opens on Skills; connectors are the next tab along.

  3. Press Add at the top right

    The tab opens on Discover, a catalog of ready-made connectors. Add works the same from here or from Yours, your own list.

  4. Choose "Add custom connector"

    The only item in the menu. Custom connector is what Claude calls a remote MCP server.

    Item greyed out? The Free plan allows one custom connector: remove the one you have, or upgrade.

  5. Name the connector

    Yours to pick. It is what you will see in the connectors list and in the tool permissions.

    Connector namewebtools

  6. Paste the MCP endpoint, then press Continue

    • Paste the MCP endpoint into "MCP server URL"
      MCP endpointhttps://detailr.mywire.org/api/mcp
    • Press Continue

  7. Leave the detected settings exactly as they are

    • Authentication → Sign in nowClaude read this off the server and tagged it "Detected". Leave it.
    • OAuth client → Register automaticallyDetected as well: a client is registered for you on the first connect.

    Don't switch the OAuth client to "Use Claude's published identity": this server does not accept that form of client and the sign-in stops there.

  8. Press Add at the bottom of the dialog

    Scroll down to it. Request headers sit under Advanced and stay empty: this server signs you in with OAuth, not with a key.

  9. Press Connect

    The connector exists now, but it is not signed in yet, and the page says so.

    Added this server before? Claude may still hold its sign-in and open the page already connected: skip to the tool permissions.

  10. Press Approve on the BRONTIR authorization page

    Connect brings this tab straight here. This is the page that ties the connector to your BRONTIR account and its credits.

    Not signed in to BRONTIR in this browser? You sign in first, then this page appears.

  11. Check for "Connected to webtools."

    The tab is back on the connector's page, with its tools listed. Start a new chat to use them.

    If a new chat doesn't list the tools, reload the page.

  12. Open the dropdown beside Read-only toolsOptional

    It reads "Needs approval", which means a confirmation prompt on every single search and fetch.

  13. Choose "Always allow"Optional

  14. The tools now run without a promptOptional

    • Read-only tools read "Always allow"Every row has its tick selected. Nothing to save: the change applies immediately.
    • Write/delete tools keep askingTheir dropdown is separate. Report a bug sends a message to the BRONTIR team, so a confirmation first is no loss.

  15. Open Account, then click into "Instructions for Claude"Optional

    • Open AccountSettings opens on General, the entry above it.
    • Click into "Instructions for Claude"The field sits in the Profile section.

    This window opens from the account menu, your name at the bottom of the sidebar (Settings, or Ctrl+Shift+,), not from Customize. Claude defaults to its own web search; one line here puts your connected tools in play instead, in every chat.

  16. Paste the line and press "Save changes"Optional

    • Paste the line
      Instructions for ClaudePrefer connected MCP tools over the built-in web search when looking things up
    • Press "Save changes"It appears once you type. Nothing is kept until you press it.

Claude Web MCP: common questions

Where do you add an MCP server on claude.ai?

In Customize → Connectors, under Add → Add custom connector. Give the connector a name and paste the server URL. Claude calls a remote MCP server a custom connector.

Do I need the desktop app to use an MCP server in Claude?

No. A remote server added on claude.ai works in your browser, with nothing to install and no config file. If you also use the desktop app, the connector is already there.

Can I add a connector on the free Claude plan?

Yes, one. The screenshots on this page were taken on a Free account. Once you have a custom connector, Add custom connector is greyed out and reads “Free plan allows 1 custom connector”: remove the one you have, or upgrade.

Do I need an API key to connect Claude?

No. Claude signs in with OAuth: press Connect, sign in with your Google account if asked and approve access on the BRONTIR page. Request headers, under Advanced, stay empty.

Another guide shows “Finish connecting a connector?” and a prompt to open the app. Why don’t I see them?

Those belong to the desktop app, which hands the sign-in over to your browser and then brings you back. On claude.ai you are in the browser already, so Connect goes straight to the BRONTIR page, and Approve straight back to the connector.

The connector shows as connected, but Claude doesn’t see the tools. Why?

Start a new chat first: one that was already open can keep the tool list it started with. If the tools are still missing, press Refresh tools list in the connector’s ⋯ menu, or reload the page.

How do I make Claude use the connector instead of its own web search?

Add one line to Instructions for Claude, in Settings → Account: Prefer connected MCP tools over the built-in web search when looking things up. You can also switch the built-in web search off in a chat’s tool settings.

Does the connector work in Claude Code as well?

Yes, as long as you signed in to Claude Code with the same Claude account rather than an API key: the connector shows up there by itself. Run /mcp in Claude Code to check.

Once connected

What your agent can do with BRONTIR

  • Search the web and the news, Reddit, YouTube, TikTok and other social platforms.
  • Read whole pages, PDFs, video transcripts and comment threads, not snippets.
  • Pull reviews, maps and local businesses, app stores, products and ad libraries.
  • Get it all back structured, with citations down to the exact line.
Create free accountWhat your agent can do →