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 (e.g., 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 (e.g., mcp-remote).
• Web-based/managed: No local config; an administrator adds Glean MCP server centrally.

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

Install

Type

Search

18 of 18

Antigravity

IDE

Antigravity CLI

CLI

ChatGPT

Web

Claude Code

CLI

Claude for Desktop

Desktop

Claude for Teams/Enterprise

Web

Codex

CLI

Cursor

IDE

Cursor Agent

CLI

Gemini CLI

CLI

Goose

DesktopCLI

JetBrains AI Assistant

IDE

Junie (JetBrains)

IDE

Linear

Web

Microsoft Copilot Studio

Web

OpenCode

CLI

VS Code

IDE

Windsurf

IDE

info

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.

Choosing 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