How to create an MCP server for your collection

This guide shows a publisher how to turn a collection they already have on Cashmere into an MCP server, then connect it to Claude, ChatGPT, or Codex. The server uses No Auth, so it needs no API key and no sign-in. Use this setup for internal testing and demos.

Important: For this sample configuration, anyone who has the server URL will be able to query the content it exposes. Do not share the URL outside your team. Use Cashmere authentication instead for anything customer-facing.

Before you start

You need:

• A Cashmere publisher account. You can be in Sandbox mode.
• At least one collection with content in it. To check, open Collections and confirm the collection lists publications.
• Claude (web or desktop), ChatGPT (browser, with a paid plan), or the Codex app to test with.

This takes about 10 minutes.

Step 1: Open MCP Servers

1. Log in at cashmere.io/accounts/login.
2. Go to cashmere.io/apps/mcp/.
3. Click Create MCP Server.

The setup wizard opens. It has seven steps along the top. Click Next to move through them.

Step 2: Choose a starting point (Type)

Pick a preset. The preset sets which tools the AI assistant can use.

• Traditional RAG: search, list, and get publications and collections. Pick this for a demo. It works best for question-and-answer chat.
• Deep Research: find sources, read a table of contents, then read a section. Pick this for long-form research.
• Custom: start with nothing and pick each tool yourself.

Click Choose Traditional RAG, then Next.

Step 3: Name the server (Identity)

1. Name: the name people see in Claude and ChatGPT. Example: Acme Press Demo.
2. Description (optional): one line on what the content is.
3. Logo (optional): if you leave this empty, the server uses your publisher logo.
4. Leave Website, Accent color, and Tracking id empty.

Click Next.

Step 4: Check the tools (Tools)

The preset already turned on the right tools. You do not need to change anything. Make sure at least one tool is on, then click Next.

Step 5: Turn off sign-in (Auth)

1. Set Authentication type to No Auth.
2. Leave Privacy policy empty. You only need one if you submit the server to a public app directory.

Click Next. With No Auth, the wizard skips the Billing step.

Step 6: Pick your collection (Content)

1. In Collections, select the collection you want the server to use. Hold ⌘ (Mac) or Ctrl (Windows) to select more than one.
2. Leave Skip collection selection off. It applies only to Cashmere authentication.

Important: If you leave Collections empty, the server exposes all content your account can reach. For a demo, select only the collection you want to show.

Click Next.

Step 7: Review and create

Check the summary. Confirm that Authentication shows No Auth and Content shows your collection. Click Create MCP server.

Cashmere makes an API key for the server in the background. You never need to copy or paste it.

Step 8: Copy the server URL

The server's page opens. On the Overview tab, find MCP server URL. It looks like this:

https://mcp.cashmere.io/cap1a2b3c4d...

Click the URL to copy it.

Step 9: Connect it to Claude

1. In Claude, go to Settings → Connectors.
2. Click Add custom connector.
3. Enter a Name (for example, Acme Press Demo) and paste the server URL.
4. Click Add.

Claude connects right away. There is no sign-in step.

Or: connect it to ChatGPT

1. In ChatGPT (browser), go to Plugins.
2. Click +, then Add custom MCP server.
3. Enter a name and description.
4. Under Connection, choose Public endpoint and paste the server URL.
5. Under authentication, choose no authentication.
6. Read the risk warning and select I understand and want to continue.
7. Click Create as a plugin, then install the plugin.

To use it, start a new chat, type @, and select the plugin. OpenAI's guide: Connect and test your plugin.

Or: connect it to Codex

1. In the Codex app, go to Settings → Plugins.
2. Click Add, then choose to add an MCP server.
3. Enter a name, choose Streamable HTTP, and paste the server URL.
4. Save, then click Restart if Codex asks.

From the command line, run codex mcp add acme-demo --url <server URL> instead. OpenAI's guide: MCP in Codex.

Tip: the Connect to Claude and Connect to ChatGPT buttons on the server's Overview tab open setup steps already filled in for this server.

Step 10: Test it

Start a new chat and ask:

Using Acme Press Demo, which collections can you see?

The assistant should name your collection. Then ask a question your content answers:

Using Acme Press Demo, what does the content say about ?

The answer should cite publications from your collection.

If something goes wrong

• The assistant finds nothing. Open the server, go to the Content tab, and confirm your collection is selected. Then confirm the collection has publications in it.
• The assistant uses its own knowledge instead. Name the server in your prompt, as in the examples above.
• You want to change tools or content. Open the server and click Edit. Changes apply to the same URL, so you do not need to reconnect.
• You want to see activity. Open the server's Usage tab.

When you are done

To stop access, open the server, open the ⋯ menu, and delete it. The URL stops working right away.