MCP Integration

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets AI assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor connect directly to your nQuest case data. Once configured, your AI assistant can search cases, read synopses, browse graph data, inspect documents, and ask questions about your cases — all through your existing nQuest permissions.

Setting Up MCP

Step 1: Create a Credential

Open Preferences (macOS) or Settings (Windows) in the nQuest desktop app
Go to the MCP tab

Note the Server URL and Client ID shown in the Connection section
Click Create MCP Credential
Enter a name (e.g. “Claude”) and optionally choose an expiry

Copy the Server URL, Client ID, and Client Secret from the dialog — the Client Secret is only shown once

Step 2: Configure Your AI Client

Claude (Web)

Open claude.ai and go to Settings
Navigate to the MCP section
Click Add MCP Server
Enter the Server URL from Step 1
Enter the Client ID and Client Secret
Save and verify the connection shows as active

Claude Desktop

Add the following to your Claude Desktop configuration file:

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "nquest": {
      "url": "<your_server_url>",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <your_client_secret>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Replace <your_server_url> and <your_client_secret> with the values from Step 1. Restart Claude Desktop after saving.

OpenAI (ChatGPT)

Open chatgpt.com and go to Settings
Navigate to MCP Servers (or Tools > MCP depending on your plan)
Click Add Server
Enter the Server URL from Step 1
Enter the Client ID and Client Secret when prompted
Save and verify the server appears as connected

Other MCP Clients

For clients that support Bearer token authentication (such as Cursor, Windsurf, or MCP Inspector), use the Client Secret directly as a Bearer token:

Authorization: Bearer <your_client_secret>

The Server URL is the same as shown in the MCP tab. Refer to your client’s documentation for where to configure remote MCP servers.

Available Tools

Once connected, your AI assistant has access to the following tools:

Tool	Description
list_contexts	See your available workspaces and groups
list_cases	Browse cases in a workspace or group
search_cases	Search across all your cases using keywords or natural language
search_entities	Search for entities (people, organizations, etc.) across cases
search_within_case	Find specific information within a single case
get_case	View case details including AI-generated synopsis
get_case_graph	View the full graph of nodes and relationships in a case
get_case_tasks	View tasks and assignments in a case
get_document	Read extracted text and AI analysis from a document or image
query_case	Ask a question about a case and get an AI-generated answer
resolve_names	Look up the names behind user and group IDs
get_case_resources	List all files and attachments in a case
get_link	Generate a link that opens a case in the nQuest desktop app

Permissions

MCP access respects your existing nQuest permissions. You can only see cases and data that your account has access to. The tools enforce the same access controls as the desktop app — case-level permissions, group membership, and compartments all apply.

Managing Credentials

MCP credentials are managed through the API Keys system. After creating a credential in the MCP tab, you can view, rename, deactivate, or delete it from the API Keys tab in Preferences/Settings.

Troubleshooting

Connection refused: Verify the Server URL is correct and includes the full path (e.g. https://us-findel.nquest.io/findel/v1/mcp/ACC_123)
Authentication failed: Check that the Client ID and Client Secret are entered correctly. The Client Secret is only shown once — if lost, create a new credential
No cases visible: MCP uses your account permissions. If you can’t see a case in the desktop app, you won’t see it through MCP either
Tools not appearing: Ensure the MCP server shows as connected in your AI client’s settings