This guide walks you through creating an MCP connection in CaptainBook and wiring it up to ChatGPT as a custom connector. After setup, ChatGPT can sign in via OAuth and query the CaptainBook data scope you selected.
Prerequisites
A CaptainBook workspace with access to MCP Connections.
A ChatGPT workspace on a plan that supports custom connectors (Business, Enterprise, or Edu for edit/customer-service actions; Plus and Pro are read-only).
Step 1: Open MCP Connections
In the left sidebar, click MCP Connections. The page shows a three-step visual guide (Generate → Connect → Ask), a Create MCP Connection form, and a Manage MCP Connections section for revoking existing tokens.
Step 2: Choose an integration scope
Under Create MCP Connection, open the Integration dropdown and pick the data scope you want to grant — for example Statistics, Inventory, or Inventory · Customer Service. Each scope pins the connection to a single integration tier and business unit.
Step 3: Select the ChatGPT assistant
Under Which assistant will use this?, click the ChatGPT tab. Because ChatGPT signs in with OAuth, the Name the connection field is replaced by a Show setup instructions button — no static token is needed.
Option: Other AI assistants
For Claude Code, Claude Desktop, or Cursor, the form instead shows a Connection name field and a business unit selector. Fill both in and click Generate to create a token-based connection.
Step 4: Generate the connection
Click Show setup instructions. CaptainBook creates the MCP connection and opens the MCP Connection Created modal with the server URL you'll paste into ChatGPT.
Step 5: Copy the MCP Server URL
In the MCP Connection Created modal, copy the Server URL shown under Configuration (for example https://your-workspace.captainbook.link/mcp/statistics). You'll paste this into ChatGPT in the next step.
Click Done to close the modal, or View setup instructions to open the detailed ChatGPT walkthrough.
Step 6: Add the connector in ChatGPT
In ChatGPT, go to Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector.
Paste the CaptainBook Server URL and choose OAuth as the authentication method.
ChatGPT redirects you back to CaptainBook to approve the connection — approve it to grant access.
Step 7: Publish to your ChatGPT workspace
Once the connector is authorized, publish it inside ChatGPT so teammates can use it in conversations. On Business, Enterprise, and Edu workspaces, editing and customer-service actions are available; Plus and Pro workspaces are read-only.
Step 8: Manage or revoke connections
Return to MCP Connections in CaptainBook. The Manage MCP Connections section lists every active connection with its name, integration type, business unit, and last-used status. Click Revoke to immediately cut off an assistant's access.
