Connecting AI Apps & Editors (MCP)

Connect your AI chat app, IDE, or CLI agent to Glow over the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Your client can inspect your workspace, build automations on a live canvas, read traces, save versions, and run tests.

At a glanceVerified in app · Oct 30, 2026

Use it to: Connect ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Cursor, VS Code, Zed, Windsurf, Claude Code, Codex CLI, or Gemini CLI via OAuth 2.1 or a personal token
Find it: Workflow Assistant header → Connect AI tool, or Your account → MCP (/app/user/account?tab=mcp)
Cost: Free to connect, inspect, build drafts, and validate · Tests use shared workspace balances
Limits: Requires Admin, Manager, or Member role · Up to 25 active OAuth app and personal token connections per user · Optional 100-automation allowlist

1. Open Quick Connect2. Sign In or Add Token3. Approve Read Tools Only4. Verify with list_workspaces

Supported Clients at a Glance

Browser Consent (No Token Needed)OAuth 2.1 + PKCE Sign-In

Used by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Cursor, VS Code, Zed, Claude Code, Codex CLI, and Gemini CLI.
Connect to https://api.getglow.ai/mcp and choose your workspace and preset in the browser.
Update permissions, workspace scope, or Data Store access in place without reconnecting.

Manual Config & Headless ToolsPersonal Scoped Token (glow_mcp2_…)

Used by Windsurf, local JSON/TOML configs, and custom Streamable HTTP clients.
Create in Your account → MCP (+ Create token) and pass Authorization: Bearer <token>.
Supports independent regeneration, 90-day renewal, and 100-automation allowlists.

Client	Category	Setup Path
ChatGPT	Chat & AI apps	Plugins → + → Add custom MCP server → paste Server URL → sign in.
Claude	Chat & AI apps	Customize → Connectors → + Add → Add custom connector → paste URL → sign in.
Google Gemini	Chat & AI apps	Settings → Connected Apps → Add a custom app at `gemini.google.com` → `@Glow`.
Cursor	IDEs & developer tools	Click Add to Cursor (OAuth), or add token to `~/.cursor/mcp.json`.
VS Code	IDEs & developer tools	Click Add to VS Code (OAuth), or add token to `.vscode/mcp.json`.
Zed	IDEs & developer tools	Click Copy setup & Open Zed and add URL in `settings.json`.
Windsurf	IDEs & developer tools	Click Create token & copy configuration and paste into `mcp_config.json`.
Claude Code	IDEs & developer tools	Run `claude mcp add --transport http --scope user glow https://api.getglow.ai/mcp`.
Codex CLI	IDEs & developer tools	Run `codex mcp add glow --url https://api.getglow.ai/mcp` and `codex mcp login glow`.
Gemini CLI	IDEs & developer tools	Run `gemini mcp add --transport http --scope user glow https://api.getglow.ai/mcp`.
Other MCP clients	IDEs & developer tools	Connect to `https://api.getglow.ai/mcp` via OAuth 2.1 + PKCE or `Bearer <token>`.

Where to Open Quick Connect

You need an Admin, Manager, or Member role in an MCP-enabled workspace.

On the CanvasConnect AI tool Modal

Click Connect AI tool in the Workflow Assistant header, welcome card, or More (⋯) menu.
Switch between Chat & AI apps and IDEs & developer tools on the canvas.
Click Full MCP settings & token management to manage existing connections.

In SettingsYour Account → MCP

Open Your account → MCP (/app/user/account?tab=mcp) or Team settings → MCP → My MCP connection.
Launch one-click IDE installers, copy the Server URL, or mint personal tokens.
Manage up to 25 active connections with in-place permission edits and Pause all.

Connect Chat & AI Apps (Sign In with Glow)

ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini use OAuth 2.1 + PKCE. Copy the Server URL (https://api.getglow.ai/mcp) from Your account → MCP. Never paste a browser canvas URL (https://app.getglow.ai/...).

ChatGPT

Copy the Server URL and open ChatGPT

Click Copy URL & Open ChatGPT in Quick Connect to open ChatGPT Plugins .

Add the custom MCP server

Open Plugins → + → Add custom MCP server and paste https://api.getglow.ai/mcp.

Pick your workspace and preset (Build drafts (Recommended) by default). Click Allow access.

Claude (Web, Desktop & Mobile)

Copy the Server URL and open Claude

Click Copy URL & Open Claude in Quick Connect to open Claude Connectors .

Add the custom connector

Open Customize → Connectors → + Add → Add custom connector and paste https://api.getglow.ai/mcp. On Team and Enterprise plans, an owner adds the connector under Organization settings → Connectors first.

Authorize in your browser

Complete the Glow sign-in and permission screen in your browser.

Local claude_desktop_config.json alternative (token-based):

claude_desktop_config.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization:${AUTH_HEADER}"
      ],
      "env": { "AUTH_HEADER": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

Google Gemini

Open Gemini Connected Apps on a computer

Click Copy URL & Open Gemini in Quick Connect to open Google Gemini Connected Apps .

Add Glow as a custom app

Open Settings → Connected Apps → Add a custom app, paste https://api.getglow.ai/mcp, and click Next.

Sign in and mention `@Glow` in chat

Approve permissions in your browser. Type @Glow in Gemini chat on web or mobile.

First time using Glow? Signing in during MCP OAuth without an account creates your first Free workspace automatically. Keep Open Glow in a new tab to watch your automation build checked for live canvas updates.

Editor Configuration Guides

Switch Quick Connect to IDEs & developer tools for one-click installers, browser OAuth sign-in, or personal token snippets.

Cursor

Option 1: One-click OAuth install (Recommended). Click Add to Cursor in Quick Connect to install glow and sign in via browser.

Option 2: Personal token in ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Add this snippet and check Cursor Settings → MCP:

~/.cursor/mcp.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": {
      "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

VS Code

Option 1: One-click OAuth install (Recommended). Click Add to VS Code in Quick Connect to install glow and sign in via browser.

Option 2: Personal token in .vscode/mcp.json. Run MCP: Add Server (Global) or add this snippet:

.vscode/mcp.json


{
  "servers": {
    "glow": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

Zed

Option 1: Browser OAuth sign-in (Recommended). Click Copy setup & Open Zed in Quick Connect, or add glow in settings.json:

settings.json


{
  "context_servers": {
    "glow": { "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp" }
  }
}

Option 2: Personal token header. Add headers in settings.json (Zed MCP guide ):

settings.json


{
  "context_servers": {
    "glow": {
      "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

Windsurf

Select Windsurf in Quick Connect and click Create token & copy configuration. Paste into ~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json:

~/.config/devin/mcp_config.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": {
      "serverUrl": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Option 1: Browser OAuth sign-in. Add the HTTP server, then run /mcp in Claude Code and select glow:

Terminal


claude mcp add --transport http --scope user glow https://api.getglow.ai/mcp

Option 2: Personal token command or .mcp.json. Click Create token & copy command in Quick Connect:

Terminal


claude mcp add --transport http glow https://api.getglow.ai/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE"

Or use GLOW_MCP_TOKEN in .mcp.json (HTTP setup and env expansion ):

.mcp.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer ${GLOW_MCP_TOKEN}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Codex CLI

Option 1: Browser OAuth sign-in (Recommended):

Terminal


codex mcp add glow --url https://api.getglow.ai/mcp
codex mcp login glow

Option 2: Personal token in ~/.codex/config.toml:

~/.codex/config.toml


[mcp_servers.glow]
url = "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp"
http_headers = { "Authorization" = "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }

Gemini CLI

Option 1: Browser OAuth sign-in (Recommended). Register Glow and run /mcp auth glow inside gemini:

Terminal


gemini mcp add --transport http --scope user glow https://api.getglow.ai/mcp

Option 2: Manual ~/.gemini/settings.json:

~/.gemini/settings.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": { "httpUrl": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp" }
  }
}

Other Clients

OAuth 2.1 + PKCE (https://api.getglow.ai/mcp): Publishes /.well-known/oauth-protected-resource and /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server with localhost callbacks, CIMD, and RFC 7591 Dynamic Client Registration.
Bearer token authentication: Click Create token & copy configuration under Other clients in Quick Connect:

mcp.json


{
  "mcpServers": {
    "glow": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.getglow.ai/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer PASTE_YOUR_GLOW_MCP_TOKEN_HERE" }
    }
  }
}

Live Canvas Companion & In-Chat Account Links

Companion canvas (?source=mcp): Workflow tools return canvasUrl, canvasMarkdownLink, and a Workflow Card (ui://glow/workflow). Companion mode keeps the Workflow Assistant drawer closed and suppresses build banners.
Automatic tab following: An idle Glow tab switches to the edited automation automatically and frames new Steps with fitView.
One-click account links (?source=mcp&connectStep=N): get_connections and get_workflow return connectUrl and connectMarkdownLink. Clicking opens that Step’s connection dialog and binds matching sibling Steps.

Manage Connections, Presets, and Scoped Tokens

Create a Scoped Token or Authorize an App

Open Your account → MCP or Team settings → MCP → My MCP connection. Click + Create token to mint a manual glow_mcp2_… token.

Pick a Permissions level and Workspaces scope (Only {Workspace}, All my workspaces for Admins, or Limit to specific automations up to 100 automations). When your client asks for tool approval, Choose “Always allow” for read tools only. Ask every time before running or changing automations:

Permission Level	Tools in `tools/list`	What It Allows
Read only	`16`	Inspect automations, schemas, and run history. Nothing can be changed or run (`read` Data Store access in tests).
Build drafts (Recommended)	`25` (`22` on legacy no-test)	Default for new tokens, OAuth sign-in, and Quick Connect. Read all automations, create/edit drafts, and test drafts (`test_step`, `run_workflow_test`).
Full access	`25` (`26` with `Manages Live`)	Everything in Build drafts, plus Live tests and `write` Data Store test access by default. Live edits require Manage Live automations.

Set the optional checkboxes and Data stores test level (None, Read, or Write) below the permission levels:
- Allow tests to use workspace secrets (Tests use secrets badge): lets MCP tests read {{ $secret.* }} and {{ $key.* }}. Without it, Steps needing an unapproved secret fail with MCP_TEST_SECRETS_REFUSED.
- Manage Live automations (Manages Live badge for Admins on Full access): lets the connection edit, publish, or pause Live automations (set_workflow_status).
Click Generate token (or Allow access on OAuth consent). Each user can keep up to 25 active connections. Connections expire 90 days after creation or renewal, or after 30 idle days (with a 7-day email warning and Renew).

Change Permissions, Renew, or Pause in Place

Click Change permissions in Your account → MCP to switch between Read only, Build drafts, and Full access.
Adjust the Data stores test level (None, Read, Write), workspace scope, or 100-automation allowlist without reconnecting.
Toggle Allow tests to use workspace secrets or Manage Live automations, click Renew for 90 days, or click Pause all. Start a new chat after changing permissions so your client refreshes tools/list.

Verify Read Access

Ask your AI client to call list_workflows or run /build-automation, /explain-automation, /optimize-automation, /debug-failed-run, or /test-and-verify-draft. Discovery, validation, and direct edits cost zero credits.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Check and Next Action
`401` or authentication fails	Re-authenticate OAuth or update `Authorization: Bearer …` if a token was regenerated, revoked, or expired (90 days or 30 days idle).
`list_workspaces` is empty	Check workspace scope in Your account → MCP, confirm your Admin, Manager, or Member role, and verify MCP is not paused.
`workspace_not_authorized` or `workflow_not_authorized`	Pass IDs from `list_workspaces` and `list_workflows`, or click Change permissions to update the workspace or 100-automation allowlist.
A write or testing tool is missing or refused	Check the preset in Your account → MCP and Maximum MCP permission in Team settings → MCP, then start a new chat.
`active_workflow_protected`	Edit a draft instead. Live edits require Full access, Manage Live automations, workspace Allow Live changes, Admin role, and `allowActiveWorkflowMutation: true`.
`token_limit_reached` (max 25 active connections)	Revoke an unused connection in Your account → MCP or reuse an existing entry via Change permissions / Regenerate.
Client returns HTML or `404` when connecting	Use the MCP Server endpoint (`https://api.getglow.ai/mcp`), never a browser canvas URL (`https://app.getglow.ai/...`).
A test times out, loses its response, or is unavailable	Follow Step recovery, whole-run recovery, or availability guidance.

For failed automation runs, see Troubleshooting & Common Errors. Keep tokens and secrets out of support messages.

Verify it works

Run: In your connected AI client, ask: Call list_workspaces in Glow
You should see: The client returns your Glow workspace name, role, and current Step credit and Glow AI token balances.

What’s Next?

👉 Build and validate with MCP tools before testing the automation.
MCP Administration: configure workspace budgets and access restrictions.

Connecting AI Apps & Editors (MCP)

Supported Clients at a Glance

Where to Open Quick Connect

Connect Chat & AI Apps (Sign In with Glow)

ChatGPT

ChatGPT

Copy the Server URL and open ChatGPT

Add the custom MCP server

Sign in with Glow and choose permissions

Claude (Web, Desktop & Mobile)

Claude (Web, Desktop & Mobile)

Copy the Server URL and open Claude

Add the custom connector

Authorize in your browser

Google Gemini

Google Gemini

Open Gemini Connected Apps on a computer

Add Glow as a custom app

Sign in and mention @Glow in chat

Editor Configuration Guides

Cursor

Cursor

VS Code

VS Code

Zed

Zed

Windsurf

Windsurf

Claude Code

Claude Code

Codex CLI

Codex CLI

Gemini CLI

Gemini CLI

Other Clients

Other Clients

Live Canvas Companion & In-Chat Account Links

Manage Connections, Presets, and Scoped Tokens

Create a Scoped Token or Authorize an App

Change Permissions, Renew, or Pause in Place

Verify Read Access

Troubleshooting

What’s Next?

Sign in and mention `@Glow` in chat