Create a tool for a Model Context Protocol server

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated June 8, 2026
  • 1 minute to read

    • Create a tool from various tool categories, to expose it to Model Context Protocol (MCP) clients from an MCP server.

    Before you begin

    If you aren't using the Quickstart Server, create a server to which you can add tools. For more information, see Create a Model Context Protocol server.

    Role required: sn_mcp_server.tools_admin, sn_mcp_server.admin, or admin

    About this task

    Each server must include at least one tool.
    • Tools define which functionality and data a server exposes to clients and the actions that can be performed on an instance by clients. Tools are based on capabilities, such as Knowledge Graph, Subflows, Action, REST APIs and Now Assist skills, including custom skills created with Now Assist Skill Kit. For a list of Now Assist skills that can be used as tools, see Now Assist skill support in MCP Server Console.
    • Tools include inputs that correspond to the fields of the existing capability. Inputs that are enabled for a tool are exposed to clients.
    Note:
    The minimum version required is: Zurich patch 9 and Australia patch 2.

    Procedure

    1. Navigate to All > MCP Server Console or Admin > MCP Server Console.
    2. From the Configuration tab, select Tools.
      If you add inputs to a Now Assist skill after a tool has been created, you must create another tool to include the additional inputs and replace the existing tool.
    3. View and manage the tools created from various categories, and their associated attributes. Tools attributes
    4. Select Create tool.
    5. Select a tool type you want to create from these categories: REST API, Action, Knowledge graph, Subflow and Now Assist skill.
      Tool creation
      The steps are similar for any category you use for tool creation.
    6. See one of these to learn more:
    7. Optional: Turn off inputs from the tool that you don't want to expose.
      1. In the Tool inputs section, locate the tool input.
      2. From the Enabled column, select the toggle to turn off the input.
        Note:
        Some tool inputs are required and can't be turned off.
    8. Select Create.

    What to do next

    Configure clients to connect to the server and use the tool. For more information, see Connecting to an MCP server from an MCP client.