# Advanced Setup

For most accountants, the [MCP Quickstart](/ai/mcp/mcp-quickstart.md) covers what you need. Use this page when you're connecting an AI client other than Claude or ChatGPT, when your client requires a JSON config file, or when you need the full reference on PATs, OAuth scopes, and workspace selection.

The hosted MCP endpoint is the same regardless of client:

```
https://use.kick.co/mcp
```

#### Config-file setup

Use this section when your client requires a JSON config or when an admin is preparing a repeatable setup.

**Cursor**  
Add Kick to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` or a project `.cursor/mcp.json`:

```
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "kick": {
            "url": "https://use.kick.co/mcp",
            "headers": {
                "Authorization": "Bearer kick_pat_replace_me"
            }
        }
    }
}
```

Reload Cursor after changing MCP configuration.

**Claude Desktop or Claude Code**  
If your Claude plan supports remote custom connectors, prefer the UI flow in the [MCP Quickstart](/ai/mcp/mcp-quickstart.md). For config-file clients, point the server at the hosted endpoint with bearer authentication:

```
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "kick": {
            "url": "https://use.kick.co/mcp",
            "headers": {
                "Authorization": "Bearer kick_pat_replace_me"
            }
        }
    }
}
```

Restart Claude after changing the configuration.

**Generic MCP clients**  
Point the client at `https://use.kick.co/mcp` with bearer authentication:

```
Authorization: Bearer kick_pat_...
```

---

#### PATs and OAuth scopes

Kick MCP supports two authentication methods.

**PAT bearer header**  
For PAT-based clients, send the token as a bearer header:

```
Authorization: Bearer kick_pat_...
```

**OAuth scopes**  
OAuth-capable clients can discover Kick's protected resource metadata at:

```
https://use.kick.co/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource
```

Kick MCP has two kinds of tools, each with its own OAuth scope:

* **Read-only tools:** `mcp:read` scope. Used for tool discovery and any call that only looks up data.
* **Write tools:** `mcp:write` scope. Used for any call that creates or updates data. Kick previews the change before confirming it.

---

#### Workspace selection

Workspace-scoped MCP tools can receive `workspaceId` in tool arguments.

Workspace-bound PATs auto-inject their bound workspace. The backend injects a default `workspaceId` only when the credential resolves to exactly one workspace. User-scoped PATs and OAuth tokens should pass `workspaceId` explicitly.

---

#### Find available tools

Use the tool list shown by your AI client as the source of truth. Available Kick tools can vary by token scope, workspace permissions, enabled features, and client cache state.

Common ways to inspect tools:

* Open the client's MCP, tools, or connector panel and look for the Kick server.
* Use a client command such as `/mcp list` or `MCP: List Servers`.
* Ask a read-only prompt:

> List the Kick tools you can use. Identify which ones are read-only, then confirm the active workspace before looking up any client data.

If a tool was recently added or renamed, restart or reconnect the MCP client so it reloads the tool list.

---

#### Common tool examples

These are not a complete list. Use your client's tool list for the up-to-date names available to your credential.

* `context_browse`: list workspaces and entities the credential can access.
* `context_resolve`: resolve a workspace, entity, or ledger by name.
* `transactions_query`: search, inspect, or summarize transactions.
* `reports_query`: run profit and loss, balance sheet, trial balance, and other reports.
* `activity_query`: list recent activity and audit logs.

Kick MCP tools use portable lower-snake-case names.

---

#### Safety

* Use read-only access for lookup and reporting.
* Use write access only when the workflow needs it.
* Confirm workspace and entity IDs before using an assistant on client data.
* Treat assistant output as a draft until an accountant reviews it.