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

# Custom, Proxied, and Hosted MCP

Gumloop already has 50+ built-in connectors. Use one of these only when the server is **not** in the catalog.

|                  | Custom MCP               | Proxied MCP                         | Hosted MCP                             |
| ---------------- | ------------------------ | ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| What you provide | An MCP URL               | An MCP URL                          | A GitHub repo                          |
| Who sets it up   | Any user                 | Org admin                           | Org admin                              |
| Where it runs    | Your server              | The third party's server            | Gumloop                                |
| Plan             | Any                      | Enterprise                          | Enterprise                             |
| Best for         | One URL you already host | A governed, audited external server | Your own server code, no extra hosting |

## Custom MCP

1. Go to [Connectors](https://www.gumloop.com/personal/connectors?provider=mcp%20server).
2. Open the arrow next to **Add Connector** and choose **Add MCP Connector**.
3. Pick **Public URL** (HTTPS) or **Private (via tunnel)** on Enterprise.
4. Enter the server URL and click **Connect**.
5. Confirm the detected auth. If it is OAuth, click **Authenticate**. Otherwise add a token, API key, or custom header.
6. Open the agent → **Connectors** → **Add Connector**, then search for the server you just added.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/agenthub/cosEBQC-WVXPGYKJ/images/custom-mcp-add-connector-menu.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=cosEBQC-WVXPGYKJ&q=85&s=24239dd8524c1b8c4ee55bfb8e40664b" alt="Add Connector dropdown with Add MCP Connector" width="826" height="328" data-path="images/custom-mcp-add-connector-menu.png" />
</Frame>

The server must speak Streamable HTTP or SSE over HTTPS. `localhost` and STDIO are not supported. On Enterprise, [Managed Tunnels](/enterprise-features/managed_tunnels) can reach a server inside your network.

## Proxied MCP

An admin registers one external URL at [Organization → Proxied MCPs](https://www.gumloop.com/settings/organization/proxied-mcps). Gumloop proxies traffic so the org gets activity logs and tool access control without deploying code.

Auth is **None**, **API Key**, or **OAuth 2.0**. None / API Key shares one org secret. OAuth makes each person sign in.

Full setup: [Proxied MCPs](/enterprise-features/proxied_mcps).

## Hosted MCP

An admin connects GitHub at [Organization → Hosted MCPs](https://www.gumloop.com/settings/organization/hosted-mcps). Gumloop builds, deploys, and routes the server. Access is gated by [custom roles](/enterprise-features/user_groups).

Full setup: [Hosted MCPs](/enterprise-features/hosted_mcps).

## Whose credentials run on a shared agent

Gumloop does not silently share one person's personal login.

| Server type                   | Who is authenticated              | What the teammate must do                   |
| ----------------------------- | --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| Custom MCP (personal)         | That teammate's own copy          | Each person adds the custom MCP             |
| Custom MCP (team connector)   | The shared team connection        | Nothing                                     |
| Proxied, auth None or API Key | The org-level secret              | Nothing                                     |
| Proxied, auth OAuth           | Each user's OAuth token           | Each user connects once                     |
| Hosted MCP                    | Each user's downstream connectors | Each user connects the apps the server uses |

## FAQ

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Which type should I pick?">
    One URL you already host → **Custom**. Org wants one governed external server → **Proxied**. Org wants to run its own server code without extra hosting → **Hosted**.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why can't I use localhost?">
    Gumloop must reach the server over the public internet (or an Enterprise managed tunnel). Deploy it, or expose it with Cloudflare Tunnel / ngrok.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I added the server in Settings but the agent cannot see it">
    Adding it in Connectors is not enough. Open the agent and add that custom MCP under **Connectors**.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Custom MCP Servers" icon="plug" href="/nodes/mcp/custom_mcp_servers">
    URL, headers, and OAuth
  </Card>

  <Card title="Hosted MCPs" icon="server" href="/enterprise-features/hosted_mcps">
    Deploy from GitHub
  </Card>
</CardGroup>