MCP Client Setup Guide

Detailed setup instructions for connecting Publora MCP to different AI clients.

Prerequisites

Publora account — Sign up at publora.com
Connected social account — At least one platform connected in the Publora dashboard
API key — only for clients that authenticate with a static key. Get it from API in the sidebar (starts with sk_). Claude and other clients that sign in with OAuth don't need one.

Both auth paths work. OAuth is the default in Claude — the client opens a browser window and you never paste a key — and Claude Code, Codex/ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, Manus and other browser-capable clients can complete the same flow. Static API-key headers (Authorization: Bearer sk_... or x-publora-key: sk_...) remain fully supported for any client that can send a header, and are the only option for headless / non-interactive environments.

Auth headers: Direct REST API calls to api.publora.com require x-publora-key: sk_.... MCP accepts Authorization: Bearer sk_... (recommended for MCP clients) and also x-publora-key: sk_.... The key-based examples below use the recommended Bearer format.

MCP client header: The MCP server automatically sends an x-publora-client: "mcp" header on internal API calls. This identifies MCP traffic server-side. Your account must have mcpAccess enabled. All standard plans — including the free Starter plan — have MCP access; only custom accounts with mcpAccess disabled will receive a 403 error.

Claude (web, desktop and mobile)

Publora is in the Claude connectors directory. Open the listing and select Connect:

claude.ai/directory/publora

Claude opens a Publora window. Sign in to Publora if you aren't already; the consent page reads "An application is requesting access to your Publora account" and shows which account you are authorizing as.
Click Approve. Publora mints a dedicated API key for this connector (named MCP (Claude #<id>)) and hands it to Claude as the access token — you never paste a key. Manage or revoke it any time on the API page in your dashboard.
Publora's 20 personal tools appear in the connector, plus 12 company_* tools for Agency client work. Re-authorize the same way if you revoke the key.

No API key, no config file, no URL to paste. The connector belongs to your Claude account, so the same connection works in Claude on the web, in Claude Desktop and in the Claude mobile apps.

Adding it by URL instead

You can still add Publora as a custom connector by hand:

In Claude, open Customize → Connectors (claude.ai/customize/connectors), click + and choose Add custom connector.
Name it Publora and enter the URL https://mcp.publora.com/mcp.
Leave OAuth Client ID and OAuth Client Secret under Advanced settings empty. Claude registers itself with Publora automatically through OAuth 2.1 (Dynamic Client Registration + PKCE).
Click Add, then Connect — the same Publora window opens.

Claude Desktop

Claude Desktop uses the same connectors as Claude on the web: open the listing and select Connect, or add Publora by URL as described above. There is no config file to edit. If Claude Desktop was already running when you connected on the web, restart it to see Publora.

The Settings → Developer → Edit Config file (claude_desktop_config.json) is for local MCP servers that run on your own machine. Publora is a remote server, so you don't need it.

Verification

Start a new conversation and ask:

"What MCP tools do you have available?"

Claude should list the 20 personal Publora tools, including account_context, post_stats, profile_stats, linkedin_create_reshare and linkedin_list_mentionables (3 additional LinkedIn feed-retrieval tools — linkedin_posts, linkedin_post_comments, linkedin_post_reactions — are pending LinkedIn approval). It also lists 12 company_* tools, which are for Agency client work.

Claude Code (CLI)

Claude Code is Anthropic's command-line interface for Claude.

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user publora https://mcp.publora.com/mcp

Then run /mcp inside Claude Code, select publora, choose Authenticate and sign in to Publora in the browser window that opens. No API key needed. --scope user makes Publora available in every project; leave it out to add Publora to the current project only.

Option 2: CLI Command with an API Key

For CI, a shared machine, or any environment that cannot open a browser, send a static key instead:

claude mcp add --transport http --scope user publora https://mcp.publora.com/mcp \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"

Option 3: Global Configuration

Edit ~/.claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Option 4: Project Configuration

Create .mcp.json in your project root:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Leave out the headers block in either file to sign in with OAuth through /mcp instead.

Verification

After restarting Claude Code:

# Check connected MCP servers
/mcp
 
# Test Publora connection
"Show my connected social accounts"

Cursor

Cursor is an AI-powered code editor with MCP support.

Project Configuration

Create .cursor/mcp.json in your project:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Global Configuration

For all projects, edit ~/.cursor/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Verification

Restart Cursor
Open the AI chat
Ask: "List my Publora connections"

VS Code / JetBrains / Other MCP Clients

Publora MCP is a standard MCP Streamable HTTP endpoint. Most MCP clients accept the same shape with minor key-name differences:

URL: https://mcp.publora.com
Header: Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY (or x-publora-key: sk_YOUR_API_KEY)
Transport: HTTP (Streamable HTTP)

Refer to your client's MCP configuration docs for the exact config-file path and top-level JSON key (commonly mcpServers, servers, or a client-specific path). The Claude Code, Cursor, and mcporter examples on this page cover the most common config shapes.

Windsurf

Windsurf is an AI-powered IDE by Codeium.

Configuration

Create or edit .windsurf/mcp.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Manus

Publora is a published connector in Manus' own directory — nothing to install, no config file. Add it from Settings → Connectors → Browse Connectors → Apps, then authorize with your API key (some builds offer Publora's OAuth sign-in instead).

See Manus Integration for the full walkthrough, including the direct connector link and the mobile caveat.

OpenClaw / mcporter CLI

mcporter is a CLI tool for connecting MCP servers to OpenClaw and other agents.

List Available Tools

mcporter list --http-url https://mcp.publora.com --name publora

With Authentication

mcporter list \
  --http-url https://mcp.publora.com \
  --name publora \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"

Persist Configuration

mcporter list \
  --http-url https://mcp.publora.com \
  --name publora \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY" \
  --persist config/mcporter.json

Configuration File

Create config/mcporter.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

See OpenClaw Integration Guide for complete autonomous agent examples.

Multiple MCP Servers

You can use Publora alongside other MCP servers. They don't conflict — tools are merged.

Example: Publora + Context7

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "context7": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@upstash/context7-mcp"]
    },
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Example: Publora + GitHub + Filesystem

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-github"],
      "env": {
        "GITHUB_TOKEN": "ghp_YOUR_TOKEN"
      }
    },
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem", "/path/to/files"]
    },
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Programmatic Access (Python)

For testing or custom integrations, use Python:

Installation

pip install mcp httpx

Basic Example

import asyncio
from mcp import ClientSession
from mcp.client.streamable_http import streamablehttp_client
 
async def main():
    headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"}
 
    async with streamablehttp_client("https://mcp.publora.com", headers=headers) as (read, write, _):
        async with ClientSession(read, write) as session:
            await session.initialize()
 
            # List available tools
            tools = await session.list_tools()
            print(f"Available tools: {len(tools.tools)}")
            for tool in tools.tools:
                print(f"  - {tool.name}: {tool.description}")
 
            # Get connections
            result = await session.call_tool("list_connections", {})
            print(result.content[0].text)
 
asyncio.run(main())

Full Workflow Example

import asyncio
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
from mcp import ClientSession
from mcp.client.streamable_http import streamablehttp_client
 
async def schedule_post_workflow():
    """Complete workflow: check connections, create post, verify."""
    headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY"}
 
    async with streamablehttp_client("https://mcp.publora.com", headers=headers) as (read, write, _):
        async with ClientSession(read, write) as session:
            await session.initialize()
 
            # Step 1: Get connections
            print("Getting connections...")
            connections = await session.call_tool("list_connections", {})
            print(connections.content[0].text)
 
            # Step 2: Schedule a post
            tomorrow = (datetime.utcnow() + timedelta(days=1)).replace(
                hour=9, minute=0, second=0, microsecond=0
            ).isoformat() + "Z"
 
            print(f"\nScheduling post for {tomorrow}...")
            result = await session.call_tool("create_post", {
                "content": "Hello from Python MCP client!",
                "platforms": ["linkedin-YOUR_PLATFORM_ID"],
                "scheduledTime": tomorrow
            })
            print(result.content[0].text)
 
            # Step 3: List scheduled posts
            print("\nListing scheduled posts...")
            posts = await session.call_tool("list_posts", {
                "status": "scheduled"
            })
            print(posts.content[0].text)
 
asyncio.run(schedule_post_workflow())

Programmatic Access (TypeScript)

Installation

npm install @modelcontextprotocol/sdk

Basic Example

import { Client } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/index.js";
import { StreamableHTTPClientTransport } from "@modelcontextprotocol/sdk/client/streamableHttp.js";
 
async function main() {
  const transport = new StreamableHTTPClientTransport(
    new URL("https://mcp.publora.com"),
    {
      headers: {
        Authorization: "Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY",
      },
    }
  );
 
  const client = new Client({
    name: "publora-client",
    version: "1.0.0",
  });
 
  await client.connect(transport);
 
  // List tools
  const tools = await client.listTools();
  console.log(`Available tools: ${tools.tools.length}`);
 
  // Get connections
  const result = await client.callTool({
    name: "list_connections",
    arguments: {},
  });
  console.log(result.content[0]);
 
  await client.close();
}
 
main();

cURL Testing

Test the MCP server directly with cURL:

Health Check

curl https://mcp.publora.com/health
# {"status":"ok","service":"publora-mcp"}

Initialize Session

curl -X POST https://mcp.publora.com \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 1,
    "method": "initialize",
    "params": {
      "protocolVersion": "2024-11-05",
      "capabilities": {},
      "clientInfo": {
        "name": "curl-test",
        "version": "1.0.0"
      }
    }
  }'

List Tools

curl -X POST https://mcp.publora.com \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer sk_YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "mcp-session-id: YOUR_SESSION_ID" \
  -d '{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "id": 2,
    "method": "tools/list",
    "params": {}
  }'

Environment Variables

For security, store your API key in environment variables:

Shell

export PUBLORA_API_KEY="sk_YOUR_API_KEY"

Configuration with env variable

Some clients support environment variable interpolation:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "publora": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.publora.com",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${PUBLORA_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Troubleshooting Setup

Tools not appearing

Restart your client — MCP servers load on startup
Check JSON syntax — Validate at jsonlint.com
Verify type is "http" — Not "url" or "sse"
Check the URL — Both https://mcp.publora.com/mcp (the address in the Claude directory listing and the server card) and https://mcp.publora.com work

Authentication errors

Include "Bearer" prefix — Authorization: Bearer sk_...
Check key format — Should start with sk_
Generate new key — At publora.com → API in sidebar

Note: Direct REST API calls to api.publora.com require x-publora-key: sk_.... MCP accepts both headers; use Authorization: Bearer sk_... for MCP client configurations unless your client or proxy requires the x-publora-key fallback.

Connection refused

Check internet — Verify connectivity
Test health endpoint — curl https://mcp.publora.com/health
Check firewall — Ensure HTTPS is allowed

Next Steps

Tools Reference — All 20 personal tools with parameters
Examples — Real-world conversation examples
Troubleshooting — Common issues and solutions

MCP Client Setup Guide

Prerequisites

Claude (web, desktop and mobile)

Adding it by URL instead

Claude Desktop

Verification

Claude Code (CLI)

Option 1: Sign in with OAuth (recommended)

Option 2: CLI Command with an API Key

Option 3: Global Configuration

Option 4: Project Configuration

Verification

Cursor

Project Configuration

Global Configuration

Verification

VS Code / JetBrains / Other MCP Clients

Windsurf

Configuration

Manus

OpenClaw / mcporter CLI

List Available Tools

With Authentication

Persist Configuration

Configuration File

Multiple MCP Servers

Example: Publora + Context7

Example: Publora + GitHub + Filesystem

Programmatic Access (Python)

Installation

Basic Example

Full Workflow Example

Programmatic Access (TypeScript)

Installation

Basic Example

cURL Testing

Health Check

Initialize Session

List Tools

Environment Variables

Shell

Configuration with env variable

Troubleshooting Setup

Tools not appearing

Authentication errors

Connection refused

Next Steps