# MCP Studio
MCP Studio is your all-in-one platform for building, deploying, and managing Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations. Connect your AI agents to external systems like CRMs, databases, APIs, and more—without leaving DarcyIQ.
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**New Feature**: MCP Studio combines a visual builder, AI-assisted code generation, and a catalog of 50+ pre-built integrations to help you extend DarcyIQ's capabilities in minutes.
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## What is MCP Studio?
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MCP Studio enables you to create powerful integrations that allow DarcyIQ's AI agents to interact with external systems. Whether you want to query a database, update a CRM, send notifications, or connect to any API—MCP Studio makes it possible.
| Capability | Description | Benefit |
| --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------- |
| **Build Custom MCPs** | Write Python or Node.js code with AI assistance | Complete flexibility for any integration |
| **Deploy from MCP Catalog** | Browse 50+ pre-built integrations | Get started in minutes |
| **One-Click Deployment** | Deploy to production with a single click | No infrastructure management |
| **Team Collaboration** | Share integrations with your organization | Standardized tooling across teams |
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | View logs and debug deployed integrations | Troubleshoot issues quickly |
## How MCP Studio Works
MCP Studio provides a complete workflow for creating and managing integrations:
```mermaid
graph LR
A[Create Start] --> B[Build Code]
B --> C[Deploy Production]
C --> D[Connect Use]
D --> E[Monitor Server]
```
| Step | What Happens | Your Action |
| -------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **1. Create** | Start a new MCP server or select from the catalog | Choose a template, use AI generation, or pick a pre-built MCP |
| **2. Build** | Write and validate your integration code | Edit code, configure secrets, test your tools |
| **3. Deploy** | Build and deploy to DarcyIQ's secure infrastructure | Click deploy and monitor progress |
| **4. Connect** | Enable the integration for use in Chat and Workflows | Toggle on for Darcy or get manual connection details |
| **5. Monitor** | Track usage and debug issues | View real-time logs |
## Custom vs. Catalog MCPs
Choose the right approach for your needs:
| Feature | Custom MCPs | Catalog MCPs |
| ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------- |
| **Setup Time** | 15-30 minutes | 2-5 minutes |
| **Code Required** | Yes (Python or Node.js) | No (pre-built) |
| **Customization** | Full control | Configuration only |
| **AI Assistance** | Code generation available | Not applicable |
| **Best For** | Unique integrations, proprietary systems | Common tools, standard APIs |
| **Examples** | Custom CRM, internal database, proprietary API | Slack, GitHub, popular databases |
## Supported Runtimes
MCP Studio supports two runtime environments:
| Runtime | Language | Best For |
| ----------- | --------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
| **Python** | Python 3.11+ | Data processing, API integrations, automation |
| **Node.js** | JavaScript/TypeScript | Web APIs, real-time applications, npm ecosystem |
{% hint style="info" %}
**Runtime Auto-Detection**: MCP Studio automatically detects your runtime based on your code. No manual configuration needed.
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## Key Features
### AI-Assisted Code Generation
Describe what you want in plain English, and DarcyIQ will generate the code for you:
* **Natural Language Input**: "Create an integration that fetches customer data from Salesforce"
* **Template-Based Generation**: Start from proven patterns
* **Intelligent Suggestions**: Get recommendations as you build
### Visual Code Editor
A full-featured code editor built into the browser:
* Syntax highlighting for Python and JavaScript
* Real-time validation and error detection
* Auto-extraction of environment variables
* Integrated testing panel
### Secure Secrets Management
Keep your credentials safe:
* Environment variables stored securely
* Never exposed in code
* Encrypted at rest and in transit
* Easy configuration through the UI
### One-Click Deployment
Deploy without managing infrastructure:
* Automatic containerization
* Secure cloud hosting
* Instant availability
* Streaming deployment progress
### Team Sharing
Collaborate with your organization:
* **Owner**: Full control over the integration
* **Editor**: Can modify and deploy
* **Viewer**: Read-only access
## Getting Started
Ready to build your first integration? Here's how to get started:
{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Navigate to MCP Studio**
From the DarcyIQ sidebar, click on **MCP Studio** to open the builder.
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{% step %}
**Choose Your Path**
Select either:
* **My MCPs** to create a custom integration
* **MCP Catalog** to browse pre-built integrations
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{% step %}
**Follow the Guide**
See [MCP Catalog](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/mcp-catalog.md) for pre-built integrations or [Building Custom MCPs](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/building-custom-mcps.md) for custom development.
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## Integration with DarcyIQ
Once deployed, your MCP integrations are available throughout DarcyIQ:
| Feature | How It Works |
| -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Chat** | Integrations are automatically available as tools for the AI |
| **Workflows** | Select integrations as steps in your automated workflows |
| **External Access** | Connect from external applications using the provided endpoint and API key |
| Grids and Lead Lists | Enable agents in bulk to leverage your MCP |
## Next Steps
| Goal | Documentation |
| ---------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Deploy a pre-built integration | [MCP Catalog](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/mcp-catalog.md) |
| Build a custom integration | [Building Custom MCPs](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/building-custom-mcps.md) |
| Learn about deployment and sharing | [Deploying & Managing](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/deploying-mcps.md) |
| View code examples | [Code Samples](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/mcp-studio-samples.md) |
| Troubleshoot issues | [Troubleshooting](/integrations-and-configuration/mcp-studio/troubleshooting.md) |
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