---
sourceDocument: Australia Enable AI
sourceDocumentLink: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/intelligent-experiences

 Release :

    - australia

ft:locale :

    - en-US

ft:publication_title :

    - Australia Enable AI

ft:clusterId :

    - platai

bundleId :

    - platai

workflow :

    - Platform


---

# Configure an MCP client to connect to an MCP server

# Configure an MCP client to connect to an MCP server {#ariaid-title1}

Release version: Australia  
Updated August 8, 2025  
![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 4 minutes to read  
Configure a Model Context Protocol (MCP) client to connect to an MCP server and prompt the server to perform a task.

## Before you begin

Role required: none

## About this task

The process to configure a client to connect to a server is dependent on the client used. The following procedure is a high-level overview of the workflow to configure a client to call a server. For more information, refer to
the documentation for your AI application and client. For an example that demonstrates how to connect from a server on one instance to the ServiceNow
Model Context Protocol Client on another instance, see the example following this procedure.

## Procedure

1. Configure a client with the required server details as determined by the client.  
   {#configure-client-connect-server__table_btb_gvf_hhc__entry__2}

   | Server details | Value |
   |-|-|
   | Server URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/sncapps/mcp-server/mcp/\<server-name\> To connect to the preconfigured Quickstart Server, use https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/sncapps/mcp-server/mcp/sn_mcp_server_default. |
   | Host | \<server-instance\>.service-now.com |
   | Base URL | /sncapps/mcp-server |
   | Scope | mcp_server |
   | Authentication type | OAuth 2.0 |
   | Identity Provider | Generic OAuth 2 |
   | Authorization URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_auth.do |
   | Token URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_token.do |
   | Token Revocation URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_revoke.do |
   | Refresh URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_auth.do |
   | Redirect URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth/callback |
   | Client ID | The client ID from the OAuth inbound integration on the server instance. |
   | Client secret | The client secret from the OAuth inbound integration on the server instance. |
   [Table 1. Server details for MCP client configuration]

   {#configure-client-connect-server__table_btb_gvf_hhc}  
   After configuring these details, the client calls the server with the `Authorization: Bearer <token>` header. If the token is validated by the server, the client receives the list of tools available
   for use.
2. From the client, you can view the list of tools available to determine how to prompt the server.
3. Enter a prompt for the information you need or for the tool to perform an action on the instance.  
   For example, if the Look up Incident Records tool is available, you could enter "Get all open incidents." With the Case summarization tool, you could enter "Summarize all cases closed this week."  
   The server runs the relevant tools and returns the result to the client as JSON data. The client presents the response as formatted text.
{#configure-client-connect-server__steps_fxp_rj3_ggc}

## Connecting to an MCP server from ServiceNow
Model Context Protocol Client {#configure-client-connect-server__example_dnd_jrz_jgc2}

This example demonstrates how to connect to a server from an AI agent on another instance using the ServiceNow
Model Context Protocol Client. First, you configure the client to call the preconfigured Quickstart Server. From an AI agent, you access the Quickstart Server's list of tools and add individual tools to
the agent. Lastly, you test the agent in AI Agent Studio by providing a prompt and seeing the agent's response. For more information, see the [Model Context Protocol Client](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/2HbM4pJ_exqse~VI4QNe~Q "The ServiceNow Model Context Protocol Client (MCP Client) enables you to access the Model Context Protocol tools that are hosted externally and published using an MCP Server in the ServiceNow AI Agent Studio.") documentation.

Role required: sn_mcp_client.admin

1. On the server instance, create an OAuth inbound integration for the ServiceNow Model Context Protocol Client.

   For more information, see [Create an OAuth inbound integration for an MCP client](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/gz8fUCs3ZXjZWmx_Pcp0KA "Secure access to Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers on an instance by creating an OAuth inbound integration for each MCP client.").
2. On the client instance, navigate to AllAI Agent StudioSettings.
3. Select Manage MCP Servers.
4. Select New.
5. Add the Quickstart Server.For more information about this step, see [Add an MCP server with OAuth 2.1](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/e5EsOIbzleLMAzC3~6prNw "Add an MCP server with OAuth 2.1 in the AI Agent Studio.").

   1. On the Add MCP server form, fill in the fields.{#configure-client-connect-server__table_c4g_1sg_hhc__entry__2}

      | Field | Value |
      |-|-|
      | Name | Quickstart Server |
      | Authentication Type | OAuth 2.1 |
      | MCP server URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/sncapps/mcp-server/mcp/sn_mcp_server_default |
      [Table 2. Add MCP server form]

      {#configure-client-connect-server__table_c4g_1sg_hhc}
   2. Select Next.
   3. On the form, fill in the fields.{#configure-client-connect-server__table_uqy_2sg_hhc__entry__2}

      | Field | Value |
      |-|-|
      | Client registration type | Manual Registration |
      | Grant type | Authorization Code |
      | Token authentication method | Client Secret Post |
      | Client ID | The client ID from the OAuth inbound integration for the Model Context Protocol Client on the server instance. |
      | Client secret | The client secret from the OAuth inbound integration for the Model Context Protocol Client on the server instance. |
      | Authorization URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_auth.do |
      | Token URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_token.do |
      | Token Revocation URL | https://\<server-instance\>.service-now.com/oauth_revoke.do |
      [Table 3. Add MCP server form]

      {#configure-client-connect-server__table_uqy_2sg_hhc}
   4. Select Save.
   {#configure-client-connect-server__ol_bnp_4rg_hhc}
6. Verify the OAuth configuration.
   1. Select Authenticate.
   2. Select Allow to allow the client to connect to the server.
   {#configure-client-connect-server__ol_l53_f5g_hhc}
7. Add tools from the Quickstart Server to an AI agent.For more information about this step, see [Add an MCP server tool to an AI agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/SE_idnNyfT0fpUwqUImwFg "Add an MCP tool to an AI agent in the AI Agent Studio so that your users can access the MCP server.").

   1. In AI Agent Studio, select the Create and manage tab.
   2. From the AI agents tab, select an existing agent or create one.For information about creating an agent, see [Create an AI agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/FsBXG9PfaVGSDGYdjSYyGA "Create an AI agent in AI Agent Studio to solve problems for your users and coordinate with other AI agents while executing the agentic workflows.").

   3. Select Add tools and information.
   4. Select Add toolMCP server tool.
   5. On the form, fill in the fields.{#configure-client-connect-server__table_erz_dvg_hhc__entry__2}

      | Field | Value |
      |-|-|
      | Select Model Context Protocol server | Quickstart Server |
      | Select tool | Select the tools from the Quickstart Server that you want to use with this AI agent. |
      [Table 4. Add a Model Context Protocol Tool form]

      {#configure-client-connect-server__table_erz_dvg_hhc}

   6. Select Add.
   7. Select Save and continue.
   {#configure-client-connect-server__ol_f21_s5g_hhc}
8. Test the AI agent.For more information about this step, see [Test an AI agent](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/TOno6R7Xwbuq4uLGValaDg "Analyze the performance of an AI agent with a Model Context Protocol tool added to it to verify that it functions the way that you defined it.").

   1. In AI Agent Studio, select the Testing tab.
   2. Select Start manual test.
   3. In the Choose a test type field, select AI agent or workflow.
   4. Select the AI agent you configured and its version.
   5. In the Task field, enter a prompt to get information or to perform an action on the instance.The prompt should be based on which tools are available. For example, if you added the Look up Case Records and Case
      summarization tools, you can enter "Summarize all cases closed this week."

   6. Select Continue to Test Chat Response.

   {#configure-client-connect-server__ol_uxb_hwg_hhc}

   The AI agent calls the server, and the server runs the tools requested based on the prompt. The server returns the information to the agent as JSON data, and the agent presents it as formatted text. In this
   example, the agent returns summaries of the cases closed by Abel Tuter in the past week.

{#configure-client-connect-server__ol_unt_bsp_ngc}

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