> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.runalloy.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# 5-Minute Quickstart Tutorial

> Welcome to Alloy MCP Server! This tutorial will get you from zero to your first working integration in just 5 minutes. By the end, you'll have created your first MCP server, connected an MCP client to a business platform, and performed your first automated action.

<div style={{padding: '1.2rem', background: 'linear-gradient(135deg, #0066FF15 0%, #0052CC15 100%)', borderRadius: '8px', marginBottom: '2rem', border: '1px solid #0066FF33'}}>
  <div style={{display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '1rem', flexWrap: 'wrap'}}>
    <div style={{fontSize: '2rem'}}>🎆</div>

    <div style={{flex: 1}}>
      <strong>Want to try it first?</strong>
      <p style={{margin: '0.25rem 0 0 0', fontSize: '0.95rem'}}>See the MCP Server in action with our live demo - no setup needed!</p>
    </div>

    <a href="https://chat.runalloy.com/" style={{textDecoration: 'none', borderBottom: 'none'}}>
      <button
        style={{
    display: 'inline-flex',
    height: '32px',
    padding: '16px 14px',
    justifyContent: 'center',
    alignItems: 'center',
    gap: '6px',
    borderRadius: '12px',
    border: '1px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.10)',
    background: 'var(--ifm-background-color)',
    color: 'var(--ifm-font-color-base)',
    fontFamily: 'Inter',
    fontSize: '14px',
    fontStyle: 'normal',
    fontWeight: 500,
    lineHeight: 'normal',
    cursor: 'pointer',
    whiteSpace: 'nowrap'
  }}
      >
        Try Demo →
      </button>
    </a>
  </div>
</div>

## Prerequisites

1. **Alloy Account**: [Sign in](https://app.runalloy.com/login)
2. **MCP Client**: Claude Desktop ([Download here](https://claude.ai/download)), your backend application, or any MCP-compatible client
3. **Credentials to Connectors**: Ensure you have access to creating credentials for the connectors (Slack, HubSpot, Notion, etc.) you're looking to support or interact with.

## Step 1: Get Your API Key (1 minute)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Log into [Alloy Dashboard](https://app.runalloy.com)
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Navigate to **Settings → API Keys**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click **"Generate API Key"**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Copy and save your API Key
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 2: Create Your First Server (1 minute)

Open your terminal and run this command (replace YOUR\_API\_KEY with your API key):

```bash theme={null}
curl -X POST https://mcp.runalloy.com/api/servers \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "My First MCP Server",
    "description": "Connects AI assistants to business platforms"
  }'
```

**You should see:**

```json theme={null}
{
  "serverId": "my-first-mcp-server-a1b2c3d4",
  "name": "My First MCP Server",
  "description": "Connects AI assistants to business platforms",
  "accessToken": "mcp_token_xyz789",
  "url": "https://mcp.runalloy.com/mcp/my-first-mcp-server-a1b2c3d4",
  "accessUrl": "https://mcp.runalloy.com/mcp/my-first-mcp-server-a1b2c3d4/mcp_token_xyz789"
}
```

**Important**: Be sure to copy the `accessUrl` field as this is your server's unique address.

## Step 3: Connect Your MCP Client (1 minute)

### For Claude Desktop:

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open Claude Desktop
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Go to **Settings → Connectors → Add Custom Connector**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Paste your `accessUrl` in the "Remote MCP server URL" input box and name the connector.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click **"Add"**
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Your Alloy MCP server should now be accessible and you can click "Configure" to manage tools.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### For Cursor (paid plan required):

Add to your `.cursorrules` or workspace settings:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcp": {
    "servers": {
      "alloy": {
        "url": "YOUR_ACCESS_URL_HERE"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### For Python Applications:

```python expandable theme={null}
import requests
import json

# Your server details from Step 2
ACCESS_URL = "https://mcp.runalloy.com/mcp/my-first-mcp-server-a1b2c3d4/mcp_token_xyz789"

# List available tools
response = requests.post(ACCESS_URL, json={
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "method": "tools/list",
    "id": 1
})

tools = response.json()
print(f"Available tools: {json.dumps(tools, indent=2)}")

# Execute an action (example: list Slack channels)
response = requests.post(ACCESS_URL, json={
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "method": "tools/call",
    "params": {
        "name": "execute_action_alloy",
        "arguments": {
            "connectorId": "slack",
            "actionId": "conversations_list",
            "parameters": {"limit": 10}
        }
    },
    "id": 2
})

result = response.json()
print(f"Slack channels: {json.dumps(result, indent=2)}")
```

## Step 4: Connect to Your Platform (1 minute)

To connect your MCP server to a platform, in your MCP client, type:

```
"Show me available platforms to connect"
```

The AI assistant will list available integrations. You can then choose to connect to a specific platform. The assistant will guide you through the authentication process:

* **For OAuth platforms**: You'll receive an authorization link
* **For API key platforms**: You'll be prompted to provide credentials

Once connected, the model should confirm that the connection was successful: **"I've connected \[Platform]"**

## Step 5: Your First Commands (1 minute)

Try these commands with your AI assistant:

### Example Actions

**For Slack:**

```
"Send 'Hello from the MCP Server!' to the #general channel in Slack"
```

**For HubSpot:**

```
"Create a new contact in HubSpot with email john@example.com"
```

**For Notion:**

```
"Create a new page in Notion titled 'Meeting Notes'"
```

Each platform has different capabilities. Ask your AI assistant:

```
"What actions can I perform with [Platform]?"
```

## Congratulations!

You've just:

* Created an MCP server
* Connected an AI assistant to a business platform
* Performed automated actions through natural language

## What's Next?

### Try More Commands

**Get Creative:**

```
"Create a task in [Your Platform]"
"Update a record with new information"
"Send a notification to your team"
```

### Add More Platforms

```
"Show me available integrations"
"Help me connect to HubSpot"
"What can you do with Notion?"
```

### Explore Advanced Features

**Set Restrictions** - Limit which platforms the AI can access:

```bash theme={null}
curl -X PUT https://mcp.runalloy.com/api/servers/YOUR_SERVER_ID \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "restrictions": {
      "connectors": {
        "mode": "allowlist",
        "allowedIds": ["slack", "notion"]
      }
    }
  }'
```