ncode Desktop Customize
MCP servers
MCP servers give agents new tools: a database browser, an issue tracker, a design tool, a company API. ncode connects to them and offers their tools to every agent in scope, next to the built-in ones.
MCP servers#
MCP (Model Context Protocol) servers add their tools to the agents. ncode supports two transports:
| Transport | What you give it |
|---|---|
| stdio (a local process) | a command, its arguments, and environment variables (KEY=VALUE) |
| http (streamable HTTP) | a URL and request headers (Name: value) |
A server is either global (every project) or scoped to one project. It can be switched off without deleting it, and each of its tools has its own switch: a tool you turn off is not offered to any agent. The environment variables and headers you enter are stored like your other keys.
A tool the server marks as read-only is treated like a read and never asks. Every other MCP tool is treated like a shell command: blocked in Read-only, asked about in Auto, allowed in Full access.
Adding a server#
- Open Settings → MCP servers and click Add MCP server.
- Fill in:
- Name, for example
filesystem. - Transport: stdio (local process) or http (streamable).
- For stdio: Command (for example
npx), Arguments (one line, shell-quoted) and Environment (KEY=VALUE per line). - For http: URL and Headers (Name: value per line), for example
Authorization: Bearer …. - Scope: Global, or one of your projects.
- Name, for example
- Save. ncode starts or connects to the server and lists its tools.
Example: a stdio server that exposes one folder.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | filesystem |
| Transport | stdio (local process) |
| Command | npx |
| Arguments | -y @modelcontextprotocol/server-filesystem /path/to/notes |
Managing servers#
Each server's card shows its status (ready, connecting, stopped, or the error it reported) and has:
- a switch to turn the whole server on or off;
- Reconnect, after you fix a problem or change the server;
- Edit and delete (its tools disappear from every agent in scope);
- the tool list: open it and click a tool to switch it off or on. A tool that is off is never offered to an agent;
- Recent output: what the server itself reported (for a local server, also what it printed as errors), to see why it does not start.
Keys and safety#
- The environment variables and headers you enter often contain tokens. They are stored in the local database with your other keys; see Data and privacy.
- A stdio server is a program running on your Mac with your permissions. Add only servers you trust.
- Tools a server does not mark as read-only need approval like shell commands, unless the project is in Full access.