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

# MCP tool

> Connect your agent to MCP servers and use their tools.

<Info>
  Voiceflow supports hosted MCP servers accessible from the internet. Local MCP servers are not supported. You can use a service like [Zapier MCP](https://zapier.com) to build a hosted server.
</Info>

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standardized way for AI agents to connect to external services. Unlike API tools where you configure individual endpoints, an MCP server can expose multiple tools at once - each with its own description, parameters, and context that helps your agent understand how and when to use them.

## Creating an MCP tool

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add an MCP server">
    You can add MCP tools from a server, or connect to a new server  directly from within a [playbook](/docs/documentation/build/playbooks).

    ![MCP Playbook Docs](/docs/images/MCP-playbook-docs.png)

    <Info>
      You can also add MCP servers  from within a workflow using the [MCP step](/docs/documentation/build/steps/mcp), or from the tools CMS tab. Servers can be managed centrally in Settings → MCP servers. Once a tool exists, you can [reference it](/docs/documentation/build/editor/references) directly in your instructions.
    </Info>
  </Step>
  <Step title="Connect your server">
    Enter your server details:

    ![Create MCP Docs](/docs/images/Create-MCP-docs.png)

    | Field | Description |
    | --- | --- |
    | **Server name & image** | A friendly label shown inside Voiceflow and optional image |
    | **Server URL** | The root URL of your hosted MCP server |
    | **Headers** | Optional key-value pairs for authentication (API keys, tokens) |
    | **Image** | Optional icon displayed next to the tool in playbooks and workflow steps |
  </Step>
  <Step title="Select tools">
    Once connected, Voiceflow fetches the available tools from your server. Select the ones you want your agent to have access to - you don't have to enable all of them and can refresh the server when you choose to access new tools.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Each tool from an MCP server comes with a name, description, and parameters defined on the server itself. If your agent isn't using a tool correctly, check the tool descriptions on your server - they're what the model reads to decide when and how to call them.

## Using the MCP tool

There are two ways to use an MCP tool:

### In a playbook

Add MCP tools to a playbook's Tools editor. The agent calls the individual tools autonomously based on the conversation context, your playbook instructions, and the tool descriptions from the server. For example, a CRM MCP server might expose "lookup contact", "create ticket", and "update deal stage" tools. Add the individual tools to a support playbook and the agent will call the right tool at the right time.

Give the tools a clear name and description inside Voiceflow that covers both what the tool is for and when the agent should reach for it.

### In a workflow

Drag an [MCP step](/docs/documentation/build/steps/mcp) onto the canvas and select the specific tool you want to call. Input variables are mapped explicitly in the step config: the workflow executes it at that point in the flow every time.

Use this when the MCP call is part of a fixed process - for example, always logging a ticket after a complaint, or always syncing a record after a form is completed.