What is an MCP Host?
An MCP host is the application that runs an MCP client. It is where the user interacts with an assistant, and it is responsible for connecting to MCP servers (like Glean MCP server) and exposing those servers' tools to the model.
Host vs. Server
MCP Host
The app that your users run (for example, a desktop IDE or chat app). It discovers and invokes tools from connected MCP servers.
MCP Server
Provides capabilities (tools) such as search, chat, and read document. Glean MCP servers are the providers of Glean's permission-aware capabilities.
How hosts connect to Glean MCP server
Hosts differ in connection method and who configures them:
- Native HTTP: Connects directly to Glean MCP server over HTTP.
- stdio-only (bridge required): Uses local process I/O. To reach remote HTTP servers like Glean, use a bridge (for example,
mcp-remote). - Web-based/managed: No local config; an administrator adds Glean MCP server centrally.
Cursor, Claude Code, and Codex support Glean plug-ins for dynamic Skill and tool discovery. You can use a plug-in alongside a standard MCP server connection. For more information, see Glean plug-in for coding hosts.
Admin-managed vs. end‑user configuration
- Admin-managed: An administrator configures Glean MCP server as remote URLs for the organization. Example: ChatGPT managed configuration; Claude for Teams/Enterprise.
- End‑user: Individual users add Glean MCP server in their own app settings. Examples: Cursor, VS Code, Claude Code, Goose, Windsurf (with bridge where required).
Supported hosts
Antigravity
Antigravity CLI
ChatGPT
Claude Code
Claude for Desktop
Claude for Teams/Enterprise
Codex
Cursor
Cursor Agent
Cursor Team MCP Servers
Gemini CLI
Gemini Enterprise
Gemini Agents
Goose
JetBrains AI Assistant
Junie (JetBrains)
LibreChat
Linear
Microsoft Copilot Studio
OpenCode
VS Code
Windsurf
This list covers the hosts we've explicitly tested and documented. Glean also works with any other MCP-compliant client — in the MCP Configurator, choose Custom and use your Glean MCP server URL.
Choose a host
- Your users’ workflow: Editors (VS Code, Cursor) vs. chat (Claude Desktop, ChatGPT).
- Connection model: Native HTTP is simplest; stdio-only hosts need a bridge to reach remote servers.
- Admin requirements: If you need central control, pick a managed host; otherwise enable end‑user installs.
Next steps
- Admins: Configure managed hosts in the Host guides, or point users to the MCP Configurator: Navigate to Settings → Install → MCP Configurator
- End‑users: See Using the Glean MCP Server: /user-guide/mcp/usage