# How do you connect to Pancake via MCP?

Canonical: https://www.usepancake.com/q/how-to-connect-pancake-via-mcp

**Answer:** Add the Pancake MCP server at https://mcp.usepancake.com/api/mcp (Streamable HTTP transport) to your agent's MCP config. The first tool call triggers an OAuth consent screen; subsequent calls are authenticated. No API key setup is required.

Pancake uses Streamable HTTP as its MCP transport — the same transport supported by your MCP-capable client (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor). Add the following server URL to your client's MCP configuration: https://mcp.usepancake.com/api/mcp.

Authorization uses OAuth 2.0 with seven scopes: read:markets, read:strategies, read:datasets, write:strategies, read:results, run:backtests, manage:paper. All seven are bundled in a single consent screen that appears on the first tool call. After you approve, the client stores the token and subsequent calls proceed without interruption.

Once connected, ten tools are available: search_strategies, search_datasets, get_strategy, create_evidence_dataset, run_evidence_backtest, get_backtest_result, create_paper_deployment, get_paper_deployments, set_paper_deployment_state, and run_sensitivity_analysis. The Quickstart page walks through the canonical first-backtest flow using these tools.

If you are on a Pancake private-beta seat, the OAuth flow will succeed on first attempt. If you are on the waitlist, the consent screen will indicate your account status.

## Related

- [Quickstart — MCP setup + OAuth walkthrough](https://www.usepancake.com/quickstart)
- [Engine — tool reference](https://www.usepancake.com/engine)
- [Methodology — what the tools verify](https://www.usepancake.com/methodology)

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