> For clean Markdown of any page, append .md to the page URL.
> For a complete documentation index, see https://developer.shipbob.com/llms.txt.
> For AI client integration (Claude Code, Cursor, etc.), connect to the MCP server at https://developer.shipbob.com/_mcp/server.

# MCP Server Overview

> Connect AI assistants like Claude Desktop and VS Code with GitHub Copilot to ShipBob using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The ShipBob MCP Server is a hosted remote server with built-in OAuth.

## Quickstart

1. Open your AI client's MCP settings
2. Paste the ShipBob MCP URL (see [Setup](./setup)) — use the **sandbox URL** to test without affecting real data; switch to the **production URL** when you're ready to go live
3. Sign in to ShipBob in the browser window your client opens
4. Ask the assistant about your orders, inventory, or shipments

## What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open protocol that standardizes how AI assistants connect to external data sources and tools. The ShipBob MCP Server acts as a bridge between your AI assistant and the ShipBob API, enabling natural language interactions with your fulfillment operations.

## Key Benefits

* **Natural language access**: Check orders, inventory, products, and channels by asking your assistant in plain English
* **OAuth sign-in**: No API tokens to copy, paste, or rotate. You sign in with your ShipBob account on first use.
* **Hosted by ShipBob**: No server to install, run, or update
* **Read and write**: Tools cover both querying data and modifying it (creating, updating, and canceling records)
* **Real-time data**: Every call hits the live Developer API

## Transport

The server uses **Streamable HTTP** transport as defined in the [MCP specification](https://modelcontextprotocol.io/specification/2025-06-18/basic/transports#streamable-http). Other transports (stdio, sse) are not supported.

## Prerequisites

* A ShipBob account
  * **Sandbox**: [Sign up for sandbox](https://webstage.shipbob.dev/app/merchant/#/SignUp?utm_source=app_partner)
  * **Production**: [Sign up for production](https://web.shipbob.com/app/Merchant/#/SignUp)
* An MCP-compatible client that supports remote servers and OAuth:
  * [claude.ai](https://claude.ai) — add ShipBob directly as a custom connector in the web app
  * [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download) — desktop app with MCP connector support (or via `claude_desktop_config.json` if the connector UI is unavailable)
  * [Claude Code CLI](https://docs.claude.com/en/docs/claude-code) — register the server with `claude mcp add` from the terminal
  * [VS Code with GitHub Copilot](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/copilot/setup) — configure via `.vscode/mcp.json` or user profile
  * Any other MCP client that supports Streamable HTTP with OAuth

Server URLs for both environments are listed on the [Setup](./setup) page.

## Next Steps

* [**Setup**](./setup) - Add the ShipBob MCP server to your AI assistant
* [**Tools & Examples**](./tools) - Browse the available tools and example prompts
* [**Troubleshooting & FAQ**](./troubleshooting) - Common issues, security, and support

> Connect AI assistants like Claude Desktop and VS Code with GitHub Copilot to ShipBob using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). The ShipBob MCP Server is a hosted remote server with built-in OAuth.