# Braintrustdata Braintrust Claude Plugin Troubleshoot Braintrust MCP > This Claude plugin automatically sets up a Braintrust MCP connection. The connection reads the `BRAINTRUST_API_KEY` environment variable to establish the MCP connection. - Skill: `tomevault-io/braintrustdata-braintrust-claude-plugin-troubleshoot-braintr` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/braintrustdata-braintrust-claude-plugin-troubleshoot-braintr` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/braintrustdata-braintrust-claude-plugin-troubleshoot-braintr/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: AI & ML - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/braintrustdata-braintrust-claude-plugin-troubleshoot-braintr --- This Claude plugin automatically sets up a Braintrust MCP connection. The connection reads the `BRAINTRUST_API_KEY` environment variable to establish the MCP connection. ## Troubleshooting steps ### 1. Verify the environment variable is set Run `echo $BRAINTRUST_API_KEY` to check if the variable is exported API keys can be created at https://www.braintrust.dev/app/settings?subroute=api-keys ### 2. Verify the API key is valid Test the key by calling the Braintrust API: ```bash curl -s https://api.braintrust.dev/api/self/me -H "Authorization: Bearer $BRAINTRUST_API_KEY" ``` - If valid: returns JSON with user info (id, email, organizations, etc.) - If invalid: returns an authentication error NOTE: Even if you can curl the api via http, continue to attempt MCP setup. Http is just a troubleshooting tool, not a replacement for MCP ### 3. Check if the MCP server is reachable If the key is valid but connection still fails, check if the MCP server is up: ```bash curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" https://api.braintrust.dev/mcp ``` - Any HTTP response (even 401 or 405) means the server is reachable - Connection timeout or "connection refused" means the server may be down ### 4. Contact support If nothing else works, encourage the user to reach out: - Discord: https://discord.com/invite/6G8s47F44X - Email: support@braintrust.dev --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/braintrustdata) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.