MCP Server Connection Guide

Overview

The Stack Internal MCP server lets AI agents securely access all connected sources of knowledge in Stack Internal. Agents can request the context they need directly from Stack Internal to answer questions, summarize information, and take supported actions using trusted enterprise knowledge. All the while MCP server preserves permissions, source identity, and governance.

Choose an authentication method

Use browser sign-in when a person is using an MCP client and needs access based on their own Stack Internal permissions.

For an unattended integration, use a service account when the MCP client and the available MCP tools support machine credentials. A service account is a workspace-bound machine identity. It does not inherit the permissions or private-source access of the administrator who creates it.

To use a service account:

1. Have a workspace administrator create the account and grant only the permissions the integration needs.
2. Create a credential and store the client ID and secret in an approved secret store.
3. Use the client credentials flow to obtain an access token.
4. Configure the supported MCP client to send the token as a bearer token.
5. Renew the token before it expires, and rotate or revoke credentials when needed.

For detailed setup, permission, token, rotation, and revocation guidance, see the Service Accounts article.

Do not assume that every MCP client or MCP tool supports Service Account authentication. Confirm support before configuring an unattended integration.

Connect to the Stack Internal MCP server

This guide walks you through connecting your AI tool to the Stack Internal MCP server using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Once connected, your tool can securely access all connected sources of knowledge in Stack Internal.

Claude Code

Open your computer's terminal and run the following command:

claude mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.stackinternal.com/

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this command instead:

claude mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/

Claude Web

1. Visit https://claude.ai/customize/connectors.
   
2. Add a new connector / MCP server.
   
3. Add our server: [https://mcp.stackinternal.com] (or https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com for EU users).
   
4. Complete any authentication as prompted.

Codex

Open your computer's terminal and run the following command:

codex mcp add StackInternal --url https://mcp.stackinternal.com

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this command instead:

codex mcp add StackInternal --url https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com

Copilot

Open your computer's terminal and run the following command:

copilot mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.stackinternal.com/

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this command instead:

copilot mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/

Cursor

With Cursor installed on your computer, copy the link below into your browser:

cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=StackInternal&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21jcC5zdGFja2ludGVybmFsLmNvbSJ9

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this link instead:

cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/mcp/install?name=StackInternal&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21jcC5ldS5zdGFja2ludGVybmFsLmNvbSJ9

Gemini CLI

Open your computer's terminal and run the following command:

gemini mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.stackinternal.com/

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this command instead:

gemini mcp add --transport http StackInternal https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/

JetBrains AI Assistant

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Tools.
3. Go to AI Assistant.
4. Open Model Context Protocol (MCP).
5. Click Add.
6. Choose HTTP.
7. Paste:

{
"mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
    "url": "https://mcp.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, paste this instead:

{
"mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
    "url": "https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

8. Click OK.
9. Click Apply.

Visual Studio

1. Open GitHub Copilot Chat.
2. Switch to Agent mode.
3. Open Tools.
4. Click the + button.
5. Choose Add custom MCP server.
6. Enter the server name: StackInternal.
7. Enter the server URL: https://mcp.stackinternal.com (or https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com for EU users).
8. Save the configuration.

Visual Studio Code

With VS Code installed on your computer, copy the link below into your browser:

vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22StackInternal%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcp.stackinternal.com%22%7D

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this link instead:

vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22StackInternal%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcp.eu.stackinternal.com%22%7D

Windsurf

1. If StackInternal is published in the Windsurf registry, install it from there.
2. If it is not registry-listed, open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
3. Add:

{
"mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
    "serverUrl": "https://mcp.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this config instead:

{
"mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
    "serverUrl": "https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

4. Save the file.
5. Restart Windsurf if needed.

Zed

1. Open Zed settings.
2. Add StackInternal under context_servers.
3. Set the URL to https://mcp.stackinternal.com (or https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com for EU users).
4. Save the settings.

Manual installation

Add the following config to your IDE or Agent:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://mcp.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this config instead:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
      "type": "streamable-http",
      "url": "https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/"
    }
  }
}

If your IDE or Agent does not support Streamable HTTP (usually on older products), use the following config:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.stackinternal.com/"
      ]
    }
  }
}

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this config instead:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "StackInternal": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Amp

Open your computer's terminal and run the following command:

amp mcp add StackInternal https://mcp.stackinternal.com/

If you're connecting to a workspace in the EU, use this command instead:

amp mcp add StackInternal https://mcp.eu.stackinternal.com/

Documentation

Here are additional articles you may find helpful:

• MCP Server Quickstart
• MCP Server Overview
• MCP Server Use Cases