Mcporter Setup

MCPorter Setup

Install and configure MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers on Zo Computer. This skill handles the complete setup process from installation to working connection.

When to Use

• User wants to use an MCP server but mcporter isn't installed
• User wants to add a new MCP server to their configuration
• User mentions a platform/service that might be available via MCP
• Troubleshooting MCP connection issues
• User asks "set up MCP" or "add MCP server"

Setup Process

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Check MCPorter Installation

Run the installation check script:

bun Skills/mcporter-setup/scripts/check-install.ts

If not installed, the script will install mcporter automatically.

Step 2: Gather MCP Server Details

Ask the user for the following information:

Step 3: Determine Authentication Method

Check the server's auth requirements:

bun Skills/mcporter-setup/scripts/detect-auth.ts <server_url>

This will return one of:

• none - No authentication required
• oauth - Standard OAuth (browser-based)
• api-key - API key in header
• bearer - Bearer token
• custom - Non-standard auth (requires manual setup)

Step 4: Handle Authentication

Based on the auth type:

No Auth

Proceed directly to Step 5.

OAuth

Run the auth flow:

npx mcporter auth <server_url>

Tell the user: "A browser window will open for authentication. Please complete the login and return here."

API Key / Bearer Token

Ask the user:

1. "What is the header name for the API key?" (e.g., x-api-key, Authorization)
2. "What is your API key or token?"

Then store the secret:

# Tell user to add secret in Settings > Advanced
# Then reference it in config

For API keys: Direct the user to Settings > Advanced to add the secret, then continue with the variable reference.

Step 5: Add Server Configuration

Run the setup script with gathered information:

bun Skills/mcporter-setup/scripts/add-server.ts \
  --name "<server_name>" \
  --url "<server_url>" \
  --description "<description>" \
  --auth-type "<auth_type>" \
  --header-name "<header_name>" \
  --secret-var "<SECRET_VAR_NAME>"

Step 6: Test Connection

Verify the setup works:

bun Skills/mcporter-setup/scripts/test-server.ts <server_name>

If successful, show the available tools:

npx mcporter list <server_name> --all-parameters

Common MCP Servers

Use these pre-configured setups for popular services:

Linear

URL: https://mcp.linear.app/mcp
Auth: Bearer token (LINEAR_API_KEY)
Header: Authorization: Bearer ${LINEAR_API_KEY}

Setup:

1. Get API key from Linear Settings > API
2. Store as LINEAR_API_KEY in Zo Secrets
3. Run: npx mcporter config add linear https://mcp.linear.app/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer ${LINEAR_API_KEY}" --scope home

Context7 (No Auth)

URL: https://mcp.context7.com/mcp
Auth: None

Setup:

npx mcporter config add context7 https://mcp.context7.com/mcp --description "Documentation search" --scope home

GitHub MCP (STDIO)

Command: npx -y @github/mcp-server
Auth: GITHUB_TOKEN environment variable

Setup:

1. Create GitHub Personal Access Token
2. Store as GITHUB_TOKEN in Zo Secrets
3. Run: npx mcporter config add github --command "npx" --arg "-y" --arg "@github/mcp-server" --env "GITHUB_TOKEN=${GITHUB_TOKEN}" --scope home

Firecrawl

URL: https://mcp.firecrawl.dev/mcp
Auth: Bearer token (FIRECRAWL_API_KEY)
Header: Authorization: Bearer ${FIRECRAWL_API_KEY}

Setup:

1. Get API key from Firecrawl dashboard
2. Store as FIRECRAWL_API_KEY in Zo Secrets
3. Run: npx mcporter config add firecrawl https://mcp.firecrawl.dev/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer ${FIRECRAWL_API_KEY}" --scope home

Troubleshooting

SSE Error / Invalid Content Type

The server may use a different transport or require custom auth:

1. Check server documentation
2. Try --http-url flag instead of SSE
3. May need manual token configuration

Authentication Required (401/403)

Secret may not be loaded:

1. Verify secret exists in Zo Secrets
2. Check the environment variable name matches exactly
3. Test with: curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $SECRET" <url>

Tools Unavailable

Server may be offline or auth failed:

1. Test connectivity: curl -v <server_url>
2. Re-run auth: npx mcporter auth <server_url>
3. Check server status page if available

Scripts

check-install.ts

Checks if mcporter is installed and installs if needed.

detect-auth.ts <url>

Analyzes server auth requirements.

add-server.ts

Adds server configuration with proper auth setup.

test-server.ts <name>

Tests server connectivity and lists available tools.

After Setup

Once configured, use the mcporter skill for quick command reference:

npx mcporter list <server>
npx mcporter call <server>.<tool> param=value

References

• MCPorter Documentation
• MCP Server Registry
• Zo Secrets