> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.sterndesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# MCP overview

> Connect Sterndesk Recruit to AI assistants using the Model Context Protocol.

Sterndesk Recruit supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP), allowing AI assistants to connect directly to your Sterndesk Recruit data and tools.

With MCP, you can use supported AI assistants such as Claude to find and retrieve recruitment information without manually switching between Sterndesk and your AI assistant.

For example, you can ask:

* “Find Chief Engineers with PSV experience.”
* “Find candidates with experience as a Second Officer.”
* “Show me the profile information for this candidate.”

The AI assistant can use the available Sterndesk Recruit tools to retrieve relevant information from your organization.

## How it works

Your AI assistant connects to the Sterndesk Recruit MCP server.

When you make a request that requires information from Sterndesk, the assistant can use the available Sterndesk Recruit tools to retrieve that information.

The production MCP server is available at:<br />[**https://edge.sterndesk.com/mcp**](https://edge.sterndesk.com/mcp)

Access is authenticated using your Sterndesk personal API key.

## What you can access

The current MCP integration provides access to Sterndesk Recruit methods available for reading data.

This includes functionality for finding crew and retrieving candidate information.

The currently documented MCP integration is intended for retrieving data. Actions that modify Sterndesk data are not currently supported for general use.

## Authentication

Sterndesk Recruit MCP uses the same personal API keys as the Sterndesk API.

If you don't have an API key yet, follow the [**Authentication**](/authentication) guide to create and manage your API key before setting up the connector.

The API key is sent to the MCP server using the `Authorization` request header:<br />**Bearer YOUR\_API\_KEY**

There must be a space between `Bearer` and your API key.

<Warning>
  **Keep your API key secure.** Treat it like a password and never share it in conversations, screenshots, source code, or other public locations.
</Warning>

## Connect an AI assistant

You can add Sterndesk Recruit as a custom connector in supported AI assistants.<br />To get started with Claude, follow the [**Connect to Claude**](/connect-to-claude) guide.