Connect Rail Cove to Claude Desktop
Use Claude's remote custom-connector flow with a public HTTPS Rail Cove MCP endpoint and OAuth consent.
Follow the steps
Use a deployed Rail Cove MCP URL such as https://YOUR_DEPLOYED_API_ORIGIN/mcp. It must be reachable from the public internet over HTTPS.
In Claude Desktop, open Customize → Connectors, choose Add custom connector, and enter the exact Rail Cove MCP URL.
Complete the OAuth sign-in and approve only the Rail Cove scopes the conversation needs. Keep library:write out unless capture_note is intentional.
Enable the connector for the conversation, review the available tools, and revoke the connection from Claude's connector controls or Rail Cove Settings → Connections when finished.
Choose only the access you need
Personal keys always expire: the default is 90 days and the maximum is 365 days. Choose a non-empty subset of the available scopes and revoke the key when the connection is finished.
| Scope | What it allows | MCP tools |
|---|---|---|
boards:write | Capture selected web content to editable canvases. Also requires library:write. | REST capture endpoint; no additional MCP tool |
boards:read | List and read canvases the account can view. | list_canvases, read_canvas |
library:read | List and search the account’s own library. | search_library |
library:write | Create, update and delete library items through REST. | capture_note |
Code examples
Replace placeholders in your own protected environment. Never paste a real key into a public page, browser bundle, prompt, screenshot, issue or repository.
https://YOUR_DEPLOYED_API_ORIGIN/mcpWhat to know
- Anthropic's remote connector flow calls the remote server from Anthropic's cloud infrastructure, including when the user is operating Claude Desktop. A private localhost, VPN-only, or firewalled API is not a valid remote connector target.
- The current server does not ship the local .mcpb/stdio path documented separately by Anthropic. Do not use a claude_desktop_config.json recipe for Rail Cove until a tested local extension exists.
- A personal bearer key is supported by the Rail Cove protocol, but the Claude Desktop custom-connector UI guide should lead with OAuth until a pasted-key path is verified for that client.
Troubleshooting
- If Claude cannot reach the server, check public HTTPS reachability, the exact /mcp path, and the reverse proxy's forwarded headers.
- If OAuth returns a resource or redirect error, restart from the connector flow and preserve the exact advertised resource URL and redirect values.
- If a write tool appears unexpectedly, disconnect and reconnect with a grant that omits library:write, or revoke the grant in Rail Cove Settings → Connections.
- If you need localhost access, wait for a separately shipped and tested local extension; the current remote connector path cannot reach a developer's localhost.
Official references
External client details were checked against these first-party sources.
- support.claude.comChecked 2026-09-12
- support.claude.comChecked 2026-09-12
- support.claude.comChecked 2026-09-12
