# How to Connect Cursor to MewCP

Add MewCP to Cursor once, and Cursor's Agent can use every app you have connected in MewCP: Gmail, Calendar, Slack, GitHub and the rest. Cursor connects to MewCP directly over HTTP, so there is nothing to install. The same setup works in the Cursor CLI.

---

## Before you start

- **Cursor** installed and updated ([download](https://cursor.com/downloads))
- **A API Key** from **Dashboard → API Keys**, see [API Key](/mewcp/authentication/mewcp-key)
- **At least one app connected** in the dashboard under **Servers**

---

## Set up MewCP

<Stepper>

1. **Open `mcp.json`**

   Cursor reads MCP servers from two files. Pick one:

   | File                                     | MewCP loads in                                        |
   | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
   | `~/.cursor/mcp.json` in your home folder | Every project                                         |
   | `.cursor/mcp.json` in a project          | That project only, for everyone who opens it from git |

   Create the file if it does not exist. On Windows, your home folder is `%USERPROFILE%`.

1. **Add MewCP**

   Paste this into the file and replace `API_KEY` with your key:

   ```json
   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "mewcp": {
         "url": "https://gateway.mewcp.com/personal/mcp",
         "headers": {
           "Authorization": "Bearer API_KEY"
         }
       }
     }
   }
   ```

   Already have an `mcpServers` section? Add only the `"mewcp": { ... }` entry inside it.

1. **Restart Cursor**

   Save the file and restart Cursor so it loads the new server.

</Stepper>

This is the entire configuration. One entry reaches every app you have connected, and connecting another app later needs no change here.

### Keep the key out of a shared file

For a project's `.cursor/mcp.json` that goes into git, read the key from each person's environment instead:

```json
"headers": {
  "Authorization": "Bearer ${env:MEWCP_API_KEY}"
}
```

Each person sets `MEWCP_API_KEY` in their shell profile, such as `~/.zshrc`, then restarts Cursor. Each of them reaches their own apps with their own key.

Cursor writes environment variables as `${env:NAME}`. A plain `${MEWCP_API_KEY}`, as used in Claude Code, is not read by Cursor.

---

## Check it works

Open **Customize** in Cursor's sidebar and go to **MCPs**. MewCP should be listed and switched on.

You will see four tools, not the tools of every app: `search`, `get_schema`, `list_accounts` and `call_tool`. That is expected. The Agent uses them to find and run the right tool for whatever you ask. See [How MewCP works](/mewcp/getting-started#how-mewcp-works).

Then ask the Agent for something from an app you have connected:

```
What is on my calendar tomorrow?
```

Cursor asks for approval before each MCP tool call by default. Click the arrow next to the tool name to see what it is about to send.

In the Cursor CLI, run `agent mcp list` to see MewCP's status and `agent mcp list-tools mewcp` to see its tools.

---

## Troubleshooting

### MewCP is not listed, or shows an error

Open the Output panel with `Cmd+Shift+U` on macOS or `Ctrl+Shift+U` on Windows and Linux, and choose **MCP Logs** from the dropdown. It shows connection and authentication errors for each server.

- Check `mcp.json` is valid JSON. A missing comma, or a trailing comma after the last entry, stops the file from loading.
- Check the file is in the right place: `~/.cursor/mcp.json`, or `.cursor/mcp.json` inside the project folder, not the project root.

### The log shows `401` or `403`

MewCP rejected the key.

- Check the header reads `Bearer ` followed by the whole key, which starts with `mcp_live_`.
- If you use `${env:MEWCP_API_KEY}`, Cursor must be able to see the variable. Cursor started from the Dock or Start menu may not have it. Set it in your shell profile and restart Cursor completely.
- A `403` that says the billing period is not active means your MewCP plan needs renewing in the dashboard.

### Changes to `mcp.json` do nothing

Restart Cursor. If MewCP is defined in both the project's `.cursor/mcp.json` and your global `~/.cursor/mcp.json`, the project's entry wins, so edit that one.

### MewCP is blocked on a Cursor Enterprise team

Enterprise admins can limit which MCP servers members may run with an MCP allowlist. Ask your admin to add a URL entry for `https://gateway.mewcp.com` under **Team Settings → MCP Configuration**.

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_Last checked against Cursor's documentation on 13 October 2026._