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MCP Message

Sends messages using Claude AI with Model Context Protocol (MCP) integration, enabling Claude to access remote tools and resources through MCP servers.

Common Properties​

  • Name - The custom name of the node.
  • Color - The custom color of the node.
  • Delay Before (sec) - Waits in seconds before executing the node.
  • Delay After (sec) - Waits in seconds after executing node.
  • Continue On Error - Automation will continue regardless of any error. The default value is false.
info

If the ContinueOnError property is true, no error is caught when the project is executed, even if a Catch node is used.

Inputs​

  • Connection Id - The Claude client session identifier from Connect node (optional if API Key is provided directly).
  • Prompt - Your question or request for the MCP-enabled Claude. Claude can use MCP servers to access tools and data.
  • MCP Servers - MCP server configuration for remote tool access. Defines which MCP servers Claude can connect to and what tools are available.

Options​

Authentication​

  • API Key - Claude API key (optional if using Connection ID).
  • Use Robomotion AI Credits - Not supported for MCP. This feature requires direct API mode with your own API key.

Model Selection​

  • Model - Select which Claude model to use. Options include:
    • Claude Opus 4.5 - Best for complex MCP interactions
    • Claude Opus 4 - Highly capable with MCP
    • Claude Sonnet 4.5 - Latest balanced model
    • Claude Sonnet 4 - Balanced performance and speed (default)
    • Claude 3.7 Sonnet - Latest 3.x generation Sonnet
    • Claude 3.5 Sonnet - Previous generation Sonnet
    • Claude 3.5 Haiku - Fastest model for simple MCP tasks
    • Custom Model - Specify your own model name
  • Custom Model - Enter custom model name when Custom Model is selected.

Generation Settings​

  • Max Tokens - Maximum tokens for response (default: 4096).
  • Stream Response - Enable streaming to receive responses incrementally as they're generated (default: true).

Advanced​

  • Timeout (seconds) - Request timeout in seconds (default: 120).
  • Include Raw Response - Include full API response in output (default: false).

Outputs​

  • Text - Claude's text response after interacting with MCP servers.
  • Stream Events - Streaming events when streaming is enabled. Contains the incremental response chunks.
  • Raw Response - Complete API response object (when Include Raw Response is enabled).

What is MCP (Model Context Protocol)?​

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that allows Claude to connect to external data sources and tools through MCP servers. MCP enables:

  • Remote Tool Access - Claude can use tools hosted on MCP servers
  • Data Source Integration - Connect to databases, APIs, filesystems, etc.
  • Extensibility - Add custom tools and data sources without changing Claude
  • Security - Fine-grained control over what Claude can access

Think of MCP servers as "plugins" that give Claude new capabilities, like accessing a database, reading files, or calling external APIs.

MCP Server Configuration Format​

The MCP Servers input should be a JSON array of server configurations:

[
  {
    "url": "https://mcp-server.example.com",
    "name": "my-mcp-server",
    "authorization_token": "optional-token-for-auth",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["tool1", "tool2", "tool3"]
    }
  }
]

Each MCP server configuration includes:

  • url - The MCP server endpoint URL
  • name - A unique identifier for this server
  • authorization_token (optional) - Authentication token if the server requires it
  • tool_configuration - Controls which tools Claude can use:
    • enabled - Whether tools are enabled for this server
    • allowed_tools - Array of tool names Claude is allowed to use (empty array means all tools)

How It Works​

The MCP Message node enables Claude to work with MCP servers. When executed, the node:

  1. Validates the connection (requires direct API mode, not Robomotion credits)
  2. Parses the MCP servers configuration
  3. Creates an MCP-enabled Claude client with the Beta header
  4. Configures the selected model and parameters
  5. If streaming is enabled:
    • Opens a streaming connection to Claude
    • Sends the prompt with MCP server configurations
    • Receives and accumulates streaming events
    • Each event can contain text deltas or tool interactions
    • Returns the final message and all events
  6. If streaming is disabled:
    • Sends the prompt with MCP server configurations
    • Waits for the complete response
    • Returns the response text
  7. Claude can use the MCP servers to access tools and data as needed

Requirements​

  • Direct API mode - Robomotion AI Credits are not supported for MCP
  • Valid Connection Id or direct API Key credentials
  • Non-empty Prompt
  • Valid MCP Servers configuration
  • MCP servers must be accessible from where Robomotion is running

Error Handling​

The node will return specific errors in the following cases:

  • Using Robomotion AI Credits mode - "MCP (Model Context Protocol) is not supported with Robomotion AI Credits"
  • Empty or missing Prompt
  • Empty or missing MCP Servers configuration
  • Invalid MCP Servers JSON format
  • Invalid Connection Id
  • MCP server connection errors
  • Empty Custom Model name when Custom Model is selected
  • API authentication errors (401)
  • API rate limit errors (429)
  • API service errors (500, 503)
  • Streaming errors

Usage Notes​

MCP Server Setup​

  • MCP servers must be running and accessible
  • Test MCP server connectivity before use
  • Ensure authentication tokens are correct
  • Verify tool names match what the MCP server provides

Streaming vs Non-Streaming​

  • Streaming (default):
    • Get responses as they're generated
    • Better user experience for long responses
    • Can show progress to users
    • Slightly more complex to handle
  • Non-Streaming:
    • Wait for complete response
    • Simpler to use
    • Better for automated processing

Tool Access Control​

  • Use allowed_tools to restrict which tools Claude can use
  • Empty allowed_tools array means all tools are available
  • Recommended to explicitly list allowed tools for security

Security Considerations​

  • MCP servers can access sensitive resources
  • Only connect to trusted MCP servers
  • Use authorization tokens for server authentication
  • Limit allowed_tools to only what's needed

Examples​

Example 1: File System MCP Server​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://filesystem-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "filesystem",
    "authorization_token": "your-token-here",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["read_file", "list_directory"]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "Read the contents of config.json and list all files in the data directory"

Configuration:

  • Model: Claude Sonnet 4
  • Stream Response: true

Claude will use the MCP server to access the filesystem and complete the request.

Example 2: Database MCP Server​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://database-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "postgres-db",
    "authorization_token": "db-access-token",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["query", "get_schema"]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "Get the schema of the users table and show me all users created in the last 7 days"

Configuration:

  • Model: Claude Sonnet 4
  • Max Tokens: 2000

Claude will query the database through the MCP server to get the information.

Example 3: Multiple MCP Servers​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://github-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "github",
    "authorization_token": "github-token",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["search_repos", "get_issues", "create_issue"]
    }
  },
  {
    "url": "https://jira-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "jira",
    "authorization_token": "jira-token",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["get_tickets", "create_ticket"]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "Find all critical issues in the backend repository on GitHub and create corresponding tickets in Jira"

Configuration:

  • Model: Claude Opus 4.5
  • Max Tokens: 4000

Claude can orchestrate across multiple MCP servers to complete complex tasks.

Example 4: API Integration MCP Server​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://weather-api-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "weather-api",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["get_current_weather", "get_forecast"]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "What's the weather like in New York today, and what's the forecast for the weekend?"

Configuration:

  • Model: Claude 3.5 Haiku
  • Stream Response: false

Claude will use the weather API MCP server to fetch and present the information.

Example 5: Streaming Response​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://knowledge-base-mcp.example.com",
    "name": "kb",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": ["search", "get_article"]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "Search our knowledge base for information about API authentication and summarize the findings"

Configuration:

  • Model: Claude Sonnet 4
  • Stream Response: true

Output - Stream Events:

[
  {
    "type": "anthropic.BetaRawContentBlockDeltaEvent",
    "text": "I'll search the knowledge base for "
  },
  {
    "type": "anthropic.BetaRawContentBlockDeltaEvent",
    "text": "API authentication information...\n\n"
  },
  // ... more events as Claude generates the response
]

You can use stream events to show real-time progress to users.

Example 6: Custom MCP Server​

MCP Servers Configuration:

[
  {
    "url": "https://my-custom-mcp.company.com",
    "name": "company-tools",
    "authorization_token": "internal-token-xyz",
    "tool_configuration": {
      "enabled": true,
      "allowed_tools": [
        "get_employee_info",
        "check_calendar",
        "book_meeting_room"
      ]
    }
  }
]

Prompt: "Check if John Smith is available tomorrow at 2 PM and book the large conference room if he is"

Claude will use your custom MCP server to access internal company systems.

Best Practices​

  1. MCP Server Management:

    • Keep MCP server configurations in a centralized location
    • Version your MCP server configurations
    • Document what each MCP server provides
    • Monitor MCP server health and availability

  2. Security:

    • Use authorization tokens for all MCP servers
    • Explicitly list allowed_tools instead of allowing all
    • Use HTTPS for all MCP server URLs
    • Regularly rotate authorization tokens
    • Audit MCP server access logs

  3. Tool Configuration:

    • Only enable tools that are needed
    • Use descriptive tool names
    • Document tool purposes and parameters
    • Test tools individually before combining

  4. Error Handling:

    • Handle MCP server connection failures
    • Provide fallback options if MCP servers are down
    • Validate MCP server responses
    • Implement retry logic for transient failures

  5. Streaming:

    • Use streaming for better user experience
    • Process stream events in real-time
    • Handle streaming errors gracefully
    • Provide visual feedback during streaming

  6. Performance:

    • Use appropriate timeouts for MCP operations
    • Monitor MCP server response times
    • Cache MCP server responses when appropriate
    • Optimize tool configurations

  7. Testing:

    • Test MCP server connectivity before deployment
    • Verify tool configurations are correct
    • Test with various prompts
    • Validate authorization tokens work

  8. Model Selection:

    • Use Opus for complex MCP orchestrations
    • Use Sonnet for general MCP interactions
    • Use Haiku for simple MCP queries

  9. Monitoring:

    • Log MCP server interactions
    • Track tool usage patterns
    • Monitor for errors and failures
    • Alert on MCP server issues

  10. Documentation:

    • Document available MCP servers
    • List available tools for each server
    • Provide example prompts for each tool
    • Keep configurations up to date

Common Use Cases​

  1. Data Access:

    • Query databases through MCP
    • Read files from filesystems
    • Access cloud storage
    • Retrieve API data

  2. System Integration:

    • Connect to internal systems
    • Access enterprise applications
    • Integrate with third-party services
    • Bridge multiple data sources

  3. Automation:

    • Automate complex workflows
    • Orchestrate multiple systems
    • Process data across platforms
    • Execute multi-step operations

  4. Knowledge Access:

    • Search knowledge bases
    • Retrieve documentation
    • Access internal wikis
    • Query specialized databases

  5. Development Tools:

    • Access version control systems
    • Query issue trackers
    • Manage projects
    • Deploy applications

MCP Server Development​

If you need to create your own MCP server:

  1. Choose an MCP Server Framework:

    • Use existing MCP server implementations
    • Follow the MCP specification
    • Implement required endpoints

  2. Define Tools:

    • Create clear tool definitions
    • Use JSON Schema for parameters
    • Provide helpful descriptions

  3. Implement Security:

    • Require authentication
    • Validate inputs
    • Implement rate limiting
    • Audit access

  4. Test Thoroughly:

    • Test with various Claude prompts
    • Verify error handling
    • Check performance
    • Validate security

  5. Document:

    • Document all available tools
    • Provide usage examples
    • Explain authentication
    • List requirements

Troubleshooting​

MCP server not responding:

  • Verify the server URL is correct
  • Check network connectivity
  • Validate authorization token
  • Check server logs

Tools not working:

  • Verify tool names in allowed_tools
  • Check tool is implemented on server
  • Validate tool parameters
  • Test tool directly

Authorization failures:

  • Verify token is correct
  • Check token hasn't expired
  • Ensure token has required permissions
  • Check server authentication configuration

Streaming issues:

  • Verify network stability
  • Check timeout settings
  • Validate stream event handling
  • Monitor for connection drops

Integration with Other Nodes​

With Data Processing​

1. MCP Message → Access database via MCP
2. JavaScript → Process results
3. Excel → Write to spreadsheet

With Automation Workflows​

1. Schedule Trigger
2. MCP Message → Check system status via MCP
3. If node → Check status
4. MCP Message → Take action if needed
5. Email → Send notification

With Multi-Step Tasks​

1. MCP Message → Get data from System A
2. Transform node → Process data
3. MCP Message → Write to System B
4. Log results