MCP toolboxes
MCP toolboxes are dedicated Make MCP servers that allow MCP clients, such as Claude and ChatGPT, to access and use your scenarios. They consist of a specific set of MCP tools (scenarios that you've set to active with on-demand scheduling).
In this guide, learn when to use MCP toolboxes, their key features, and how to work with them in Make and MCP clients.
When to use MCP toolboxes
Use MCP toolboxes when:
- You want more control over the tools available to MCP clients
- You want a secure way to share MCP tools with team members and clients
Make MCP server is another way to use MCP with Make. To learn more, see Make MCP server.
Key features
MCP toolboxes offer these features:
- Tool management in Make (add, configure, and delete)
- Token-based authorization using keys
- A unique URL per toolbox
- The option to create multiple keys per toolbox for sharing
- Configurable tool labels, descriptions, and types (Read only and Read & write)
Create an MCP toolbox
To create an MCP toolbox, including its unique URL and key:
In Make, click MCP Toolboxes on the left sidebar, then Create toolbox at the top.
Name your toolbox.
In Tools, select the tools you want to have in your toolbox. Only active scenarios with on-demand scheduling appear in the tool list.
Click Create.
In the Create key dialog, copy the key provided and store it in a safe place.
Click Close.
In MCP Server URL, copy the URL provided.
You've now created an MCP toolbox in Make.
Connect your MCP toolbox to an MCP client
Before connecting your MCP toolbox to an MCP client, you must:
- Choose an MCP client: Typical options include Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor.
- Check what the client supports: In the client's MCP server documentation, check if the client supports authorization headers and the transport methods available. HTTP Streamable is the recommended method due to its connection reliability.
Next, continue to Step 1 to configure your URL based on what the client supports.
Manage your MCP toolbox
Once you create an MCP toolbox, you can add or edit tools, add keys, and delete the toolbox.
Add tools
To add tools to an existing MCP toolbox:
In MCP Toolboxes, click an existing toolbox.
In Tools, click Add.
Search or select a tool or multiple tools.
Click Save.
You've now added tools to an existing MCP toolbox.
Configure tools
Optionally, configure your tool's name, description, and behavior:
- Name and description: Give your tool a custom tool name and description when its existing ones in Make may confuse an MCP client or prevent it from choosing the tool correctly. By default, the client sees existing names and descriptions, but custom ones replace them.
- Behavior: Select Read only and Read & write as tool annotations. In MCP clients that support them, annotations help clients understand how cautious to be with a tool, such as asking for permission before running it. By default, tools are Read & write. Mark a tool as Read only if it only reads data rather than making changes, such as adding or deleting. This option helps the client run your tools more quickly.
To configure tools:
In MCP Toolboxes, click an existing toolbox.
In Tools, click the settings icon.
In Tool name, enter a custom tool name, for example, "Watches unread emails." Alternatively, leave the field empty to use the default name.
In Tool description, enter a custom tool description, for example, "Watches inbox for unread emails with a Lead label." Alternatively, leave the field empty to use the default description.
In Behavior, select Read only or Read & write from the dropdown.
Click Save.
You can go back to configure your tools at any time.
Add keys
Each MCP toolbox can have multiple keys to share or use across MCP clients.
To add keys to your MCP toolbox:
In MCP Toolboxes, click an existing toolbox.
In Keys, click Add.
In Name, name your key so you can identify it.
Save the key in a safe place so you can share it later.
Click Close.
You've now added a key to your toolbox. To delete a key, click the X symbol next to the key to delete.
Delete an MCP toolbox
To delete an MCP toolbox:
In MCP Toolboxes, click the three-dot menu next to an existing toolbox.
Click Delete.
Click Delete to confirm.
You've now deleted an MCP toolbox.
MCP toolbox timeout: Your MCP toolbox scenarios must finish running within 40 seconds. If a scenario runs longer, the connection times out, and no outputs return to the client.