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Remote MCP[BETA]

Overview

Remote MCP lets you connect Purple Fabric to an external Model Context Protocol (MCP) server without writing code. Once added, the server's tools are available in Flow Designer, Agents and EGPT under the Remote MCP category. The MCP server must already be running outside Purple Fabric, hosted by you or a third party.

The tool definition does not store anyone's credentials. Each person who uses the tool connects with their own (or a Shared) credential when it runs, so the same MCP tool can be reused in different contexts.

Core Concepts

Authentication Types

Authentication Type When to use it Extra fields
No Authentication The external tool is completely public and doesn't need a password None
Key Based The tool needs a standard API key or secret token None
OAuth 2.0 (Dynamic Client Registration) Standard third-party tools that support automated setup None
OAuth 2.0 (Custom App) Secure corporate systems Select Service Provider (registered OAuth services), with + Register New Service

Deprecated Features

  • In published assets: the feature shows a Deprecated tag in the Flow Designer node panel, Agent tool configuration and EGPT tool configuration. The asset stays active. If a run fails because the server removed the feature, the error says the feature is deprecated on the MCP server.
  • In new or draft assets: deprecated features are hidden from the Flow Designer palette, Agent tool selection and EGPT tool selection.

Governance

Remote MCP tools follow the same rules as Custom Functions for credentials, visibility (Private/Public), edit and delete permissions, and use across workflows and agents. The BETA tag includes a feedback option.

How To

Add an MCP Server

Step 1: Open Remote MCP

  1. Go to Tools and select the Remote MCP tab.
  2. Click + Add MCP Server (or Add MCP Server in the empty state).

Step 2: Enter details

Field Required Description
Name Yes Unique name for the MCP tool
Description No What the server does
Icon No Upload or select an image
Visibility Yes Private (only you) or Public (everyone in your workspace)
MCP Server URL Yes The server's endpoint. Must be a valid URL.
Authentication Type Yes See Authentication Types
Global Headers No Key-value pairs sent with every request, e.g. Accept: application/json

For OAuth 2.0 (Custom App), select the service provider. If it isn't listed, click + Register New Service, fill in the Client ID and Client Secret from your IT admin, and save. The new service is selected automatically.

Step 3: Discover features

  1. Click Discover Features.
  2. Provide a credential for this session:
    • No Authentication: nothing to do.
    • Key Based: select an existing key, or register a new one (it is saved in Credentials).
    • OAuth: select an existing OAuth account, or click Add Account, sign in, and select it.
  3. Purple Fabric fetches the server's tool list. Each discovered tool shows its Name, Description and Input Schema.

If discovery fails, you see an error such as Authentication Failed or Unreachable Host, with a hint showing whether the problem is the tool configuration, the credential, or the server at runtime.

Step 4: Test a feature (optional)

  1. Click Test on any discovered tool. The Test Feature window opens with the tool name and description.
  2. Fill in the input fields (generated from the tool's schema). The window shows Running as: .
  3. Click Run Test. The raw JSON response or error appears below.

To test with another account, close the window and run Discover Features again. A failed test is logged as a warning but doesn't stop you from saving.

Step 5: Save
Click Save. The button is enabled only after discovery succeeds at least once. The tool definition (name, URL, authentication type and service provider) is saved, but not the credential you used for discovery or testing.

Manage MCP Tools

Action How Notes
Edit Open the MCP tool and change details or the Authentication Type If you change authentication, run Discover Features again before saving
Refresh Click Refresh Features New tools are tagged New; tools no longer on the server are marked Deprecated and disabled
Delete or disable Use the tool's actions menu Blocked while any active workflow or agent uses the tool

Troubleshooting

Error / Issue Type Resolution
Invalid or unreachable URL Tool configuration Check the MCP Server URL and that the server is running
Authentication Failed Credential Select another credential or re-authenticate, then discover again
MCP handshake failed / tools/list not supported Tool configuration Confirm the server implements MCP and the tools/list endpoint
Connection timed out Runtime Retry; check network access between Purple Fabric and the server
Save button disabled — Run Discover Features successfully first
Can't delete the MCP tool — Remove it from the workflows and agents that use it