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

# MCP

> Connect an external AI assistant to your Aspect media library.

Aspect MCP lets supported external AI assistants work with your Aspect media library. Use it when you want to search, summarize, organize, or manage Aspect content from a tool such as Claude or ChatGPT instead of using Aspect Agent inside Aspect.

<iframe src="https://app.aspect.inc/share/08513dfc-61b6-4903-93db-fb21b950a339/embed?controls=true&autoplay=false&loop=false" loading="eager" title="Aspect MCP" style={{ width: "100%", aspectRatio: "16 / 9", border: 0, borderRadius: "12px", overflow: "hidden", display: "block", background: "#000" }} allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowFullScreen />

<Note>
  Connecting MCP gives the external assistant access to Aspect tools and media context within your permissions. It does not create an automation or scheduled workflow by itself.
</Note>

## Before you start

You need:

* An Aspect account with access to the projects and assets you want to use.
* A supported MCP client, such as Claude or ChatGPT.
* Permission to add a custom connector or MCP server in that client.

The Aspect MCP server is:

`https://api.aspect.inc/mcp`

## Connect an external AI assistant

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open your AI assistant settings">
    Open the connectors, integrations, or developer settings in Claude or ChatGPT.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add Aspect MCP">
    Add a custom connector or MCP server and enter `https://api.aspect.inc/mcp`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in to Aspect">
    Follow the authorization prompt and sign in with the Aspect account you want the assistant to use.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review access">
    Confirm that the assistant can see the expected Aspect tools and only the projects available to your signed-in account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Info>
  In ChatGPT, custom MCP connections may require Developer mode. Availability can depend on your ChatGPT plan and workspace settings.
</Info>

## What you can do

Use an external assistant to:

* Find assets, folders, collections, comments, and metadata.
* Read transcripts and extracted document text, then summarize or compare results.
* Create [comments](/docs/review-and-approve/commenting), [collections](/docs/share-and-present/collections), [metadata updates](/docs/workflows/metadata), and [share links](/docs/share-and-present/sharing-and-permissions) when the connected account has permission.

## Scheduling and automations

MCP provides the connection between your AI assistant and Aspect. Scheduling, recurring checks, and event triggers come from the AI assistant or an external workflow service.

Scheduled checks run periodically and are not instant event triggers. For workflows that must start immediately when something happens, use an approved API or webhook workflow.

## Permissions and approvals

MCP actions follow the permissions of the Aspect account used to connect. Use an account with only the access needed for the workflow.

Review high-impact actions before approving them, especially:

* Archiving or moving many assets.
* Creating public or expiring share links.
* Changing metadata across many files.
* Changing project access or membership.

## Current limitations

Aspect MCP does not currently provide tools for:

* Uploading or downloading files.
* Permanently deleting assets.
* Deleting an entire project or workspace.
* Moving assets directly into cold storage.

Cold archive remains a manual action in Aspect unless your team has an approved API workflow.

## Aspect Agent or MCP?

Use the [**Aspect Agent**](/docs/asset-intelligence/ask-aspect) when you want to work inside Aspect with the current project and review actions in the Aspect interface.

Use **MCP** when you want to work from an external AI assistant or connect Aspect to a broader scheduled workflow.