{"versionId":"89a18234-9d21-42ec-710c-08dee92fa092","articleId":"61c60616-32dd-44f1-e039-08dee92fa092","title":"MCP servers | Admin guide","tags":["MCP","System admin","All articles"],"content":"

This guide explains how system administrators can set up and manage MCP servers in Theta Assist.

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Use this guide when you want to make external tools or data sources available to assistant authors through the MCP Servers area in admin settings.

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See also:

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Quick links

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What MCP servers are

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MCP servers let Theta Assist connect to external tools and data sources through the Model Context Protocol.

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They are useful when there is no built-in connector, or you want assistants to do more than the standard built-in connectors support. For example, an MCP server may expose a wider set of actions, deeper access to a platform, or a custom business integration.

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Admins create MCP server configurations centrally. Assistant authors can then enable the approved servers for their assistants.

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Connectors vs MCP servers

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Connectors and MCP servers both extend what assistants can do. This table outlines the differences between them:

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
OptionWhere admins set it upBest for
Built-in connectorsAdmin > Tools > ConnectorsStandard integrations with simpler setup
MCP serversAdmin > Tools > MCP ServersBroader, deeper, or custom tool access
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Use connectors when the built-in integration already meets your needs.

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Use MCP servers when you need broader capability, more specialised actions, or a custom integration.

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Types of MCP servers

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There are two main types of MCP server in Theta Assist:

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  1. Custom MCP servers that you add by entering an MCP endpoint URL.
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  2. Built-in Theta Assist MCP servers that you can add from the available server list.
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For example, M365 Tools and the Planner MCP tool are built-in Theta Assist MCP servers. You do not need to manually enter a custom endpoint URL for those.

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Before you start

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Before you add an MCP server, make sure:

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For shared authentication setup guidance, see Authentication configurations | Admin guide.

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Set up an MCP server

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\"The
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Open MCP server settings

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  1. Go to Admin > Tools > MCP Servers.
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  2. Choose the option to add a server.
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Add a custom MCP server

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  1. Click Add MCP Server.
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  2. Enter the Server URL.
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  3. Enter a Server label. This is the unique identifier used internally.
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  4. Enter a Server name. This is the display name users will see.
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  5. Optionally add a Description.
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  6. Optionally add Additional instructions to guide how the AI should use the server.
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  7. If the server requires authentication, select the appropriate Auth Configuration.
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  8. Set the Approval policy.
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  9. If needed, restrict the available tools using Allowed Tools.
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  10. Click Add Server.
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Add a built-in Theta Assist MCP server

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  1. Go to Admin > Tools > MCP Servers.
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  2. Click the green + Theta Assist MCP Server button.
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  3. Select the server you want to add.
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  4. Attach the appropriate authentication configuration if required.
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  5. Set the approval policy.
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  6. Save your changes.
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For Microsoft-specific setup, see M365 Tools MCP server | Admin guide.

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For Planner-specific setup, see Planner MCP tool | Admin guide.

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Manage access and approvals

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Set an approval policy

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Each MCP server can have its own approval policy.

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For initial rollout, it is usually safer to start with Always require approval.

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Restrict who can add the server

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You can control who can add a specific MCP server to assistants by assigning an Access Profile.

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Add users or groups to the profile, then assign that profile to the MCP server.

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This is useful when a server should only be available to a specific team or pilot group.

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For more detail, see Access Profiles | Admin guide.

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After you add a server

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After the server is added:

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  1. Ask an assistant author to open the assistant Tools tab.
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  2. Enable the MCP server for the assistant.
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  3. Test the assistant with a small pilot group first.
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  4. Confirm authentication works as expected.
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  5. Review approval prompts and tool behaviour.
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If the server is user-authenticated, end users may see the wrench icon in the message box and may need to authenticate before use.

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Troubleshooting

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The server does not appear for assistant authors

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Check that:

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Authentication fails

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Check that:

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Tool calls are not working as expected

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Review the MCP server configuration, approval policy, and any additional instructions.

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If needed, enable MCP Activity logs to help debug MCP calls.

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Related guides

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","description":"Learn how to set up and manage MCP servers in Theta Assist, including authentication, approvals, access controls, and rollout guidance.","isMarkdown":false,"publishedOnUtc":"2026-07-28T04:18:37.030689","modifiedOnUtc":"2026-07-27T05:55:02.4860812"}