> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.protodesk.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect your assistant

> Configure the local stdio adapter with explicit Help Center permissions.

## Prerequisites

* A locally installed `protodesk-authoring-mcp` binary supplied for your environment.
* An MCP client that supports running a local command over stdio.
* A Protodesk workspace owner or admin who can grant Help Center access.

The adapter does not listen on an HTTP port. Do not enter `docs.protodesk.io/mcp` as an operational Protodesk connection; documentation search and Help Center authoring are separate services.

## Create a scoped key

In **Settings → API**, create a key with `help:read`. Add `help:drafts:write` only when you want the assistant to submit proposals. Confirm the Help Center sharing consent and choose an expiry.

Read permission includes draft articles. Only connect an assistant that is authorized to receive that content.

## Configure your client

Use your MCP client's local-server settings. Set these values using the client's supported configuration format:

| Setting | Value |
| - | - |
| Transport | `stdio` |
| Command | Absolute path to your `protodesk-authoring-mcp` executable |
| Arguments | None required |
| `PROTODESK_AUTHORING_KEY` | Your Help Center API key, supplied securely to the process |
| `PROTODESK_API_ORIGIN` | `https://api.protodesk.io` (also the default) |

Use the API **origin**, without `/v1`. Keep secrets out of committed client configuration. Restart the MCP connection after changing its environment.

## Verify the connection

Ask your assistant:

```text theme={null}
Call authoring_context. Show me the workspace ID, enabled locales,
available collections, permissions, and limits. Do not write anything yet.
```

Confirm the workspace before asking the assistant to read or propose content. Then ask it to list articles and read one by its returned article ID.

## Prepare your first proposal

Ask your assistant to read an existing article, suggest a specific change, and submit it only after you have agreed on the intended edit. It must use the current article revision and return the `reviewUrl`.

Open the review in Protodesk and inspect the result before approving. See [Review workflow](/mcp/review-workflow) for the effect of approval.


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