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This page is for technical users who want to connect custom tools and services. If you’re looking to connect Gmail, Calendar, Slack, or other popular apps, head to Connect your apps instead.
Runner can load your own MCP servers without any app-specific plugin work. You add them to mcp.json, save the file, and Runner exposes the server’s tools inside the workspace.
Runner reads the same top-level mcp.json shape used by Claude Code: {"mcpServers": { ... }}

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Pick the right file

Use one of these files:
  • ~/.runner/mcp.json for servers you want in every workspace.
  • ~/.runner/workspaces/<workspace-id>/mcp.json for servers you want in one workspace.
The workspace file wins if both files use the same slug.
workspace-id is the folder name inside ~/.runner/workspaces/.

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Use the right config shape

mcp.json entries use the MCP server shape directly. Do not use Runner’s older connector fields like transport or authType here.
  • For remote servers, use type, url, and optional headers.
  • For local servers, use type, command, optional args, and optional env.

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Add a remote MCP server

Use type: "http" for streamable HTTP servers or type: "sse" for SSE servers. Use the full MCP endpoint URL, including /mcp or /sse when your server requires it. 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "notion": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.notion.com/mcp"
    },
    "internal-tools": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://example.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}

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Add a local stdio server

Use type: "stdio" when Runner should start the MCP server on your machine. 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "local-db": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@your-org/db-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "DATABASE_URL": "postgres://localhost:5432/app"
      }
    }
  }
}
Before you use a local server, turn on Settings > Workspace > Local MCP Servers. If that setting is off, Runner skips stdio servers for that workspace. Remote HTTP and SSE servers still work.

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Understand authentication

Hand-written mcp.json entries do not get a built-in OAuth flow from Runner.
  • If a remote server needs auth, send it in headers.
  • If a local server needs auth, pass it through env.
  • If a local server depends on environment variables, set them explicitly in env.
Runner filters many secret-looking ambient environment variables before it starts local MCP subprocesses. If you rely on a token or API key, put it in the server’s env block instead of assuming your shell will pass it through.

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Reload the server list

After you save mcp.json, start a new conversation in that workspace. New conversations read the latest file. If an existing conversation does not see the new tools, reopen the conversation or restart Runner.

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Troubleshooting

  • If nothing shows up, validate that the file starts with a top-level mcpServers object.
  • If a remote server fails to connect, confirm that you used the full MCP endpoint URL.
  • If a local server fails to start, run the same command and args in your terminal first.
  • If a local server stays unavailable, make sure Local MCP Servers is enabled for that workspace.
  • If you want one workspace to override a shared server, reuse the same slug in the workspace-level file.