# Connect

The MCP server address:

```text
https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp
```

## 1. Get an API key

Prefer an **account API key**: the AI can then do only what you yourself are allowed to do in each shop.

1. Open the **Account** page in Pancake POS, **API Key** section, and click **Create**.
2. Give it a memorable name, for example "Claude".
3. Copy the key right away: it is shown only once.

A shop API key also works (**Settings › Apps › Webhook/API**, **API Key** tab), but it has full access to the shop. Compare the two in [Authentication](/developers/api/en/authentication).

## 2. Add it to your client

### Claude Desktop

1. Open **Settings › Connectors › Add custom connector**.
2. Paste `https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp` as the URL, give it a name (for example "Pancake POS") and click **Add**.
3. Claude opens your browser on the Pancake POS MCP authorization page. Paste your API key and click **Authorize**. The browser closes when done.

Older Claude Desktop versions without Connectors: open **Settings › Developer › Edit Config** and add the block below (Node.js is required because `mcp-remote` acts as a bridge):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pancake-pos": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote@0.1.18", "https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp", "--header", "X-Api-Key:API_KEY"]
    }
  }
}
```

Save the file, quit Claude Desktop completely (macOS: `Cmd+Q`, not just closing the window) and open it again.

### Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http -s user pancake-pos https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp --header "X-Api-Key: API_KEY"
```

Check with `claude mcp list` (you should see `pancake-pos … ✓ Connected`). In a session, type `/mcp` to see the `pos_*` tools.

### Codex

Add to `~/.codex/config.toml` (shared by the Codex app, IDE extension and CLI):

```toml
[mcp_servers.pancake-pos]
url = "https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp"
http_headers = { "X-Api-Key" = "API_KEY" }
```

Codex uses `http_headers`, not the `headers` field other clients use.

### Cursor

Add to `~/.cursor/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pancake-pos": {
      "url": "https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp",
      "headers": { "X-Api-Key": "API_KEY" }
    }
  }
}
```

### Other clients

Any client that supports MCP over HTTP (Streamable HTTP) can connect:

- URL: `https://mcp-pos.pancake.biz/mcp`
- Authentication: the `X-Api-Key: API_KEY` header (or `Authorization: Bearer API_KEY`), or OAuth if the client supports it (the client opens the authorization page for you to paste the key).

## 3. Try it

Start a new conversation and type:

- "List my 5 most recent orders"
- "What's today's revenue?"
- "Which products are running low?"

The first time, the client asks whether to allow the tool call: choose **Allow**. Seeing your order list means you are connected.

If your account has several shops, name the shop in your request, or ask "Which shops do I have?" first.

## Troubleshooting

| Symptom | Fix |
|---|---|
| No `pos_*` tools | Quit and reopen the client; check the URL ends with `/mcp` |
| The authorization page says the API key is invalid | Copy the full key again; create a new key if it was revoked |
| The AI reports missing permissions | Account keys follow your permissions in the shop; ask an admin to grant more |
| `npx` does not run (older Claude Desktop) | Install Node.js 18 or later |
| Codex does not connect | Check you used `http_headers`, not `headers` |

Need help setting up? Contact the Pancake team.