# MCP Installer

> MCP Tool Installer

- Skill: `dataelement/mcp-installer` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dataelement/mcp-installer`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dataelement/mcp-installer/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: AI & ML
- Author: dataelement (https://skillmd.com/u/dataelement)
- Updated: 2026-09-22
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dataelement/mcp-installer

---

# MCP Tool Installer

## When to Use This Skill
Use this skill when a user wants to add a new tool or integration (e.g., GitHub, Brave Search, Notion, etc.) that isn't currently available but can be imported from the MCP registry or via a direct URL.

---

## Step-by-Step Protocol

### Step 1 — Search first
```
discover_resources(query="<what the user wants>", max_results=5)
```
Show the results and let the user pick. Note the `ID` field (e.g. `github`).

### Step 2 — Determine import method

**Method A: Smithery Import** (tool found on Smithery with remote hosting support)
- Usually uses an already-configured Smithery API Key (company/admin key or an existing agent key)
- Individual tool tokens NOT needed; Smithery handles auth via OAuth

**Method B: Direct URL Import** (tool NOT on Smithery, but has public HTTP/SSE endpoint)
- User provides the MCP server URL directly
- May require tool-specific API key

**Not importable** (local-only tools)
- Requires local Docker/process; inform user these cannot be imported automatically

---

### Method A: Smithery Import

#### Try import first
Always try the import tool directly before asking the user for any Smithery credential:

```
import_mcp_server(
  server_id="<qualified_name>"
)
```

The platform may already have a company-level or agent-level Smithery key configured. Do **not** assume the user needs to provide one.

#### Only ask for a Smithery API Key if the tool explicitly says none is configured
If `import_mcp_server` explicitly returns that no Smithery API Key is configured, then explain Smithery and guide the user. Use the following talking points (adapt to context, don't read verbatim):

> **Smithery** (smithery.ai) is an MCP tool marketplace, similar to an app store. Through it, I can install third-party tools such as GitHub, Notion, and Slack, and Smithery can handle the authentication flow.
>
> **Why is an account or API key needed?**
> Smithery uses the API key to identify your account, associate installed tools with that account, and store authorization information securely.
>
> **What do you get after setting it up once?**
> - Provide the key once; future tool imports can reuse the saved configuration
> - No need to create separate tokens for each tool, such as GitHub PATs; supported tools use OAuth
> - Access a large catalog of MCP tools and extend your capabilities when needed
>
> **How to get a key:**
> 1. Sign up or log in at https://smithery.ai
> 2. Go to https://smithery.ai/account/api-keys and create an API key
> 3. Provide the key to me only when the import tool explicitly says no Smithery key is configured

#### Import
```
import_mcp_server(
  server_id="<qualified_name>",
  config={"smithery_api_key": "<key>"}  # only when the tool explicitly says no key is configured
)
```

#### Handle OAuth
If the import reports `mcp_auth_required`, the tool definitions were saved but
are not usable yet. Tell an authorized user to open this Agent's **Tools** page,
find the Smithery MCP group, and use **Authorize** or **Re-authorize** there.
The Tools page checks the live connection and opens the Provider authorization
page only after the user clicks. Never request, copy, or echo an OAuth URL in
chat, and do not claim the connection is ready until the Tools page reports it
as authorized.

OAuth completion does not resume the finished import Run. After authorization,
the user should start a new conversation turn or tool call.

**Important:** Do NOT ask for individual tool tokens (GitHub PAT, Notion API key, etc.) when using Smithery; OAuth handles this automatically.

---

### Method B: Direct URL Import

When a tool is not available on Smithery but the user has a public MCP endpoint:
```
import_mcp_server(
  server_id="<server name>",
  config={
    "mcp_url": "https://my-mcp-server.com/sse",
    "api_key": "<optional tool-specific key>"
  }
)
```
The system will connect to the URL, discover available tools, and register them.

---

## What NOT to Do
- Don't ask for GitHub PAT, Notion key etc. when using Smithery; OAuth handles these
- Don't ask for a Smithery API Key before trying `import_mcp_server` directly; a company/admin key may already exist
- Don't claim Smithery OAuth can be completed entirely in chat; authorization
  belongs in the Agent's Tools page
- Don't retry an import just to obtain or refresh an OAuth URL
- Don't echo API keys back in your response
- Don't skip the search step; always verify the server exists before importing
- Don't import local-only tools; inform users they require local installation