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Connect an AI assistant (MCP)

Wallboard supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), so you can connect an AI assistant such as Claude or ChatGPT to your Wallboard account. Once it is connected, you can ask the assistant to look up and manage your Devices, Content, Playlists, Datasources and other items in plain language, within the permissions your account has.

Before you start​

  • MCP access must be allowed for your customer and for your user. Your administrator sets both in Wallboard. Administrator users start with MCP access turned off and must turn it on for themselves. Learn more: AI assistant access (MCP)
  • Your AI tool must support remote MCP servers (often called custom connectors). Which plans include this is up to the AI tool's provider.
  • Your Wallboard server must be reachable from the internet. Claude and ChatGPT connect to Wallboard from their own cloud, not from your computer. A self-managed server that is only reachable on a private network or through a VPN cannot be connected this way.

The MCP address​

The MCP address is the address of your Wallboard server followed by /mcp. For example, if you sign in at https://editor.wallboard.us, the MCP address is:

https://editor.wallboard.us/mcp

If you are not sure which server address to use, ask your administrator.

Connect your AI assistant​

  1. Add a custom connector in your AI tool. Give it a name (for example, "Wallboard") and paste the MCP address. You do not need an API key: sign-in is handled automatically.
  2. Sign in to Wallboard when the AI tool opens the Wallboard sign-in page.
  3. Review the request. The Sign in with Wallboard screen shows which application wants to access your account and what it will be able to do:
    • Access your data and resources based on your permission level
    • Make changes in your account
    • See your name and account details
  4. Tick I trust this website, then click Allow. Until the box is ticked, Allow stays disabled. Click Cancel if you do not recognize the application.

You are then taken back to your AI tool, and the connector is ready to use.

tip

If the screen says the application registered itself dynamically, it was added by the AI tool automatically. Only allow it if you started the connection yourself.

What the assistant can do​

The assistant acts as you. It can only reach what your Wallboard account can reach, and only with the actions your administrator allowed for MCP:

  • Read - look up information
  • Create/Update - create and change items
  • Delete - delete items (off by default)

If your administrator changes your MCP permissions, the change can take up to 5 minutes to apply.

Disconnect​

  • To stop using the assistant with Wallboard, remove the connector in your AI tool.
  • An administrator can block access at any time by turning off Allow MCP access for your user or for the whole customer.

Learn more:

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