🛠️MCP Tools
MCP Tools let your bots connect to external services — like calendars, CRMs, databases, and more — so they can take real actions during a conversation. Instead of just sending messages, your bot can book an appointment, look up an order, or create a support ticket.
What is MCP?
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It's a standard way for AI and bots to talk to outside tools and services. Think of it like giving your bot a set of extra abilities: "You can now check the calendar" or "You can now search the CRM."
You don't need to understand the technical details. All you need to do is connect a server (the tool provider) and your bot can use the tools it offers.
How to open MCP Tools
In the left sidebar, click MCP Tools. You'll see tabs for managing your servers and tools.
What you'll see
MCP Servers tab
This shows the external services you've connected. Each server card shows:
Server name — The name of the service (e.g. "Google Calendar", "HubSpot CRM").
Description — A short explanation of what it does.
Status — Whether it's connected (green) or disconnected (gray).
Tool count — How many tools (actions) this server provides.
Available Tools tab
This is like a marketplace for MCP tools. Browse and install tools to add new capabilities to your bots:
Tool cards with name, description, category, and an Install button.
Search to find specific tools.
Filter by category to narrow down the list.
Installed Tools tab
Shows tools you've already installed:
Toggle tools on or off.
View usage analytics (how often the tool is used).
Delete a tool you no longer need.
Connect an MCP server
Go to MCP Tools from the sidebar.
On the MCP Servers tab, click Add Server or Connect.
Follow the setup instructions for that specific service. This usually involves:
Entering the server URL or selecting from a list of available servers.
Providing any credentials (API key, login) the service needs.
Granting permissions for OnRaven to access the service on your behalf.
Once connected, the server status changes to Connected and its tools become available.
Use an MCP tool in your bot
Once a server is connected, you can use its tools in the Workflow Builder:
Open a bot in the Workflow Builder.
Add an MCP Tool node from the AI & Knowledge section in the sidebar.
In the node settings:
Node name
A label for this step (e.g. "Check calendar availability").
Select MCP Server
Pick the connected server from the dropdown.
Select Tool
Pick the specific action from that server (e.g. "Search events", "Create contact").
Input parameters
Fill in the values the tool needs. You can use variables like {{customFields.date}} or type a fixed value.
Store result in field
Choose a custom field name to save the tool's response (e.g. calendarResult). You can use this in later nodes.
Continue on error
Turn on if you want the flow to keep going even if the tool fails. Set an error fallback message to tell the customer something went wrong.
Connect the MCP Tool node to the next step in your flow (e.g. a Message node that says the result).
Save the flow.
MCP + AI Response
You can also let your AI agent use MCP tools automatically. In the AI Response node settings, there's an Enable MCP tools toggle. When turned on, the AI can decide on its own when to use a connected tool during the conversation.
For example, if a customer asks "Is there an opening on Friday?" and you have a calendar server connected, the AI can check the calendar and respond with available times — all without you building separate nodes for it.
Examples of what MCP tools can do
Calendar
Check availability, book appointments, cancel meetings
CRM
Look up a contact, create a lead, update a deal
E-commerce
Check order status, look up a product, check inventory
Support
Create a ticket, check ticket status, update a case
Database
Search records, update fields, run queries
The available tools depend on which MCP servers you connect. New servers and tools are added regularly.
Troubleshooting
Server shows "Disconnected"
Click the server and try reconnecting. Check that the service's credentials (API key, login) are still valid.
Tool returns an error
Check the input parameters — make sure all required fields are filled in. The external service may be temporarily down; try again later.
AI doesn't use the MCP tool
In the AI Response node, make sure Enable MCP tools is turned on. Also ensure the MCP server is connected and the tool is installed.
Tool results are empty
The external service may not have matching data. Double-check the search query or parameters you're sending.
For more on using MCP Tool nodes in your flows, see Configure each bot node. For building flows, see Workflow Builder.
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