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Installing MCP Servers

Learn how to install and configure third-party MCP servers to extend your AI assistant's capabilities beyond the built-in Voka AI integrations.

What Are Third-Party MCP Servers?​

Third-party MCP servers are community-built or vendor-provided integrations that follow the MCP protocol. They allow your assistant to connect to platforms not natively supported by Voka AI's MCP server.

Examples:

  • Database connections (PostgreSQL, MySQL)
  • Custom business tools
  • Specialized APIs
  • Internal company systems

Before You Install​

You'll need:

  • Access to the Voka AI dashboard
  • MCP server URL or package name
  • Any required API keys or credentials
  • Basic understanding of the platform you're integrating

Note: Most users don't need third-party MCP servers. The built-in Voka AI integrations (Acuity, Square, Jobber, etc.) work out-of-the-box with no installation required.

Installation Methods​

Method 1: Pre-Built MCP Server URL​

If you have an MCP server URL (e.g., from a vendor or community repository):

  1. Go to AI Assistants in your dashboard
  2. Edit the assistant you want to configure
  3. Click the Agent tab
  4. Scroll to MCP Servers section
  5. Click Add MCP Server
  6. Enter:
    • Name: Descriptive name (e.g., "Company Database")
    • URL: Full MCP server URL (e.g., https://mcp.example.com)
    • API Key: If required by the server
  7. Click Save
  8. Test the connection

Method 2: NPM Package Installation​

Some MCP servers are distributed as NPM packages:

  1. Find the package name (e.g., @company/mcp-server)
  2. In Voka AI dashboard:
    • Go to AI Assistants → Edit assistant
    • Agent tab → MCP Servers
    • Click Add MCP Server
    • Enter package name: @company/mcp-server
    • Configure any required environment variables
  3. Click Save

Voka AI will install and run the package automatically.

Configuration​

After installation, configure how your assistant uses the MCP server:

Enable/Disable​

Toggle the MCP server on/off for specific assistants:

  • Enabled: Assistant can query this server
  • Disabled: Server installed but not active

Environment Variables​

Some MCP servers require configuration:

API_KEY=your_api_key_here
DATABASE_URL=postgresql://user:pass@host:5432/db
REGION=us-west-2

Add these in the MCP Server settings panel.

Permissions​

Control what actions the MCP server can perform:

  • Read-only: Query data only
  • Read-write: Query and modify data
  • Full access: All operations

Testing Your Installation​

After installing an MCP server:

  1. Make a test call to your assistant
  2. Ask a question that requires the MCP server
  3. Check the call logs for:
    • MCP server queries
    • Successful responses
    • Any error messages
  4. Review transcript to verify correct behavior

Example test:

You: "What's in our database for customer ID 12345?"
Assistant: [Queries MCP server]
Assistant: "Customer 12345 is John Smith, account created March 2024..."

Common MCP Servers​

Database Servers​

  • PostgreSQL MCP - Query PostgreSQL databases
  • MySQL MCP - Connect to MySQL databases
  • MongoDB MCP - Access MongoDB collections

Business Tools​

  • Salesforce MCP - CRM data access
  • QuickBooks MCP - Financial data queries
  • Shopify MCP - E-commerce integration

Utilities​

  • Email MCP - Send emails via SMTP
  • SMS MCP - Send text messages
  • File Storage MCP - Access cloud storage (S3, Google Drive)

Find more: Browse the MCP Server Registry for community-built servers.

Troubleshooting​

"Connection Failed"​

  • Verify the MCP server URL is correct
  • Check that API keys are valid
  • Ensure the server is online and accessible

"Authentication Error"​

  • Double-check API credentials
  • Verify environment variables are set correctly
  • Check for expired tokens

"Server Not Responding"​

  • Test the MCP server URL directly (if possible)
  • Check server status/uptime
  • Review server logs for errors

"Permission Denied"​

  • Ensure your API key has required permissions
  • Check MCP server access controls
  • Verify your Voka AI plan supports custom MCP servers

Security Best Practices​

Protecting API keys:

  • ✅ Use environment variables (not hardcoded)
  • ✅ Rotate keys regularly
  • ✅ Use read-only access when possible
  • ✅ Limit IP addresses if supported

Data privacy:

  • ✅ Review what data the MCP server accesses
  • ✅ Only install trusted MCP servers
  • ✅ Check the server's privacy policy
  • ✅ Use separate API keys per environment (dev/prod)

Monitoring:

  • ✅ Monitor MCP server logs
  • ✅ Set up alerts for errors
  • ✅ Review usage patterns regularly
  • ✅ Audit data access periodically

Removing MCP Servers​

To remove an installed MCP server:

  1. Go to AI Assistants → Edit assistant
  2. Agent tab → MCP Servers
  3. Find the server you want to remove
  4. Click Delete or Remove
  5. Confirm removal

Note: Removing an MCP server will break any assistant functionality that depends on it. Test thoroughly after removal.

Advanced: Multiple MCP Servers​

Your assistant can use multiple MCP servers simultaneously:

Example configuration:

  • Voka AI MCP (mcp.vokaai.com) - Acuity, Square, Jobber
  • Custom Database MCP - Internal customer data
  • Email MCP - Send confirmation emails

The assistant will automatically route queries to the appropriate server based on the request.