MCP and external tools

MCP is the connection method that lets Agents use external tools and resources. Cherry Studio can manage MCP servers, built-in servers, service marketplaces, and some provider entry points, then bind connected servers to a specified Agent.

View server status centrally under [Settings] → [MCP]; first make sure a server runs properly on its own, then bind it to an Agent.

When MCP is needed

• The Agent needs to call services other than Cherry Studio’s built-in tools;
• The team already has databases, browsers, or business systems that provide MCP interfaces;
• You want the same external capabilities to be reused by multiple Agents;
• You need to provide tools, resources, or prompts to the model in a unified way.

Use Skills only when you need a fixed workflow, and bind the knowledge base directly when you only need to retrieve Cherry Studio’s knowledge base; there is no need to set up MCP extra just to be “more advanced.”

If the service provider offers JSON, it can be imported directly; if there is no ready-made configuration, fill in the command or address manually.

Add server

Path: [Settings] → [MCP] → [MCP Servers] → [Add].

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1. Confirm the connection method

Local commands usually use standard input/output; remote services usually provide SSE or a streamable HTTP address. Fill in the configuration according to what the service provider gives you; do not guess based on the name.

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2. Fill in the configuration and check permissions

Local servers require commands, arguments, and environment variables; remote servers require a URL, and some services also require authorization. Before saving, confirm the command source and data scope.

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3. Start and view tools

Enable the server, wait until the status is normal, then open the details to check the tools, resources, and prompts it provides. If the connection fails, first check the server logs.

In the tool list, expand a tool to view the full Markdown documentation, as well as the parameters, types, required flags, and enum values displayed hierarchically. Before calling it, first verify the required parameters; object or array parameters should be expanded layer by layer to avoid guessing the input format based only on the tool name.

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4. Bind to Agent

Open [Work] → Agent menu → [Edit] → [MCP], and enable this server. A server that is not started cannot be bound and used properly.

Built-in servers and service marketplace

[Built-in MCP] provides common capabilities that can be installed or enabled directly; [Service Marketplace] is used to manage third-party marketplace sources. Before installation, you still need to review the description, commands, environment variables, and permissions; a built-in entry does not mean all operations of the external service are risk-free.

Configuration recommendations

Configuration item	Product default	Suggested starting point	Effect	Applicable scenario	Notes
Server status	Decide according to the configuration after adding	Enable only one at a time and verify it	Control whether the server is available	Initial access, troubleshooting	Hard to locate when multiple services fail at the same time
Agent binding	Do not automatically bind all servers	Bind only the servers required by the current Agent	Control the capability scope	Division of labor among multiple Agents	Avoid unrelated tools occupying context
Environment variables	Do not prefill keys	Use credentials with the minimum permissions required by the service	Provide authentication or runtime parameters	Private service	Cover sensitive content before taking screenshots or exporting
Tool approval	Determined by the Agent permission mode	Keep confirmation for write or billing tools	Prevent accidental operations	Databases, files, external APIs	Channel entry points can use a stricter mode

User case: connecting the project database to an analysis Agent

The administrator provides a read-only MCP connection. The user verifies that the server is working properly under [Settings] → [MCP], then binds it only to the “Data Analysis” Agent. The Agent uses the read-only tools to obtain data and writes the report to the working directory; tools that would update data are not enabled. In this way, even if the prompt is misunderstood, the business database will not be modified directly.

What is the difference between MCP and an API gateway?

MCP connects external tools to Cherry Studio; an API gateway exposes Cherry Studio’s model capabilities to other programs in API-compatible form. The data flow direction is opposite.

What should I do if the server shows connected, but the Agent still cannot find the tools?

Check whether the Agent is bound to that server, whether the tools have been disabled, and whether any permission requests are pending. After modifying the Agent configuration, send a new message so the runtime loads the new tools.