What is an App?

You're Viewing a Tool That Adds Capabilities to Your AI

You landed here because you clicked "What is this?" on a server info page. Here's what you need to know: this is a tool that extends what your AI assistant can do - like giving it access to live data, specialized APIs, or new features that go beyond its base capabilities.

This page will help you understand what an App is, how it works, and whether subscribing makes sense for you.

What is mctx?

mctx is the hosting platform you're viewing this App on. When you see a .mctx.ai domain, it means a developer has chosen mctx to host their App. mctx handles the infrastructure, payments, and discovery so developers can focus on building useful tools.

The server info page shows you what the App does, how much it costs, and how to subscribe.

What Is an App?

An App on mctx is an MCP server — same technology, hosted and monetized on the mctx platform.

Think of your AI assistant like a smartphone, and Apps like apps. Your phone is powerful, but it needs apps to check weather, navigate, or order food. Similarly, your AI needs Apps to access specialized data and perform specific tasks.

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the open standard that makes this possible. An App on mctx implements this protocol, which means any compatible AI client can connect to it and use its tools automatically.

Apps add features to your AI tools. When you connect an App to your AI assistant (like Claude Code, Cursor, or similar tools), the AI can use the App's capabilities to accomplish tasks it couldn't do alone.

Real example: You're working in Claude Code and ask "What's the weather in Tokyo?" Your AI assistant calls a weather App's tool, retrieves the current conditions, and gives you the answer - all seamlessly in your conversation.

What Can Apps Do for You?

Apps solve problems that AI models can't tackle on their own. Here's what they enable:

Access Live Data

Your AI can retrieve information that changes in real-time:

• Check weather forecasts for any city
• Look up current stock prices or cryptocurrency rates
• Pull the latest news headlines
• Search specialized databases or research papers

Interact with Services and APIs

Your AI can perform actions on your behalf:

• Create GitHub issues or review pull requests
• Manage cloud services (AWS, GCP, Azure)
• Control project management tools
• Send emails or notifications

Work with Files and Documents

Your AI can process and transform content:

• Search through files and folders
• Convert between document formats
• Process images or videos
• Generate reports from data

Perform Specialized Computations

Your AI can handle complex analysis:

• Execute mathematical calculations
• Run simulations or data analysis
• Convert between technical formats
• Process data pipelines

All of this happens automatically - you don't manually call APIs or copy-paste data. The AI handles the orchestration behind the scenes.

How Does an App Work?

The interaction is seamless:

1. You ask your AI a question or give it a task
2. Your AI recognizes it needs external data or capabilities
3. The AI calls the appropriate App with the right parameters
4. The App processes the request and returns the result
5. Your AI incorporates the result into its response to you

You stay in your normal workflow. The complexity is hidden.

Is This Right for Me?

Apps are useful if:

• You use AI tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or similar assistants regularly
• You've wished your AI could access live data, call APIs, or use specialized tools
• You want your AI to handle tasks that currently require you to manually copy-paste data or switch between tools

Apps might not be worth it if:

• You rarely use AI assistants
• Your work doesn't require real-time data or API access
• You prefer doing tasks manually rather than delegating to AI

What's the Catch?

Do I need coding skills?

No. Installation is simple: copy and paste one command into your AI tool's settings. If you can follow installation instructions, you can use Apps.

What if I don't use it much?

Pricing is usage-based, so you pay only for what you use. If you make just a few requests, your cost will be minimal - often pennies for testing.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. No cancellation fees and no lock-in periods. See What Happens If I Cancel? for details on access and billing.

What if the App doesn't work?

Apps hosted on mctx are versioned and monitored. If you run into issues:

1. Check the FAQ for common troubleshooting steps
2. Review your authentication and subscription status in your dashboard
3. Contact the developer (support link available on the server info page)

Is my payment information secure?

Payment is processed securely. mctx never stores your credit card details.

Why Subscribe to an App?

When you subscribe to an App on mctx, you get:

Access to specialized capabilities - Use the App's tools through any compatible AI client

Locked-in pricing - Your rate never changes while subscribed, even if prices increase later. See Locked-In Pricing for details.

Version control - Choose which version to use, update when you're ready

Automatic sign-in - Authentication is handled by your AI client automatically. No manual token management.

Usage-based billing - Pay only for what you use. No charges if you don't use the App.

How to Subscribe

Step 1: Review the App

On the server info page, check:

• Name and description - what does it do?
• Available tools - what capabilities does it provide?
• Price - cost per 1,000 requests
• Versions - which versions are available

Step 2: Complete Checkout (Under 5 Minutes)

1. Click the Subscribe button
2. Sign in with your email
3. Enter your payment details
4. Complete the checkout

You'll be redirected to your subscriptions dashboard.

Step 3: Install the App

Installation is simple: copy and paste one command into your AI tool's settings.

After subscribing, expand the Installation Instructions section on your subscription card. You'll see commands for different AI clients with the exact server details pre-filled:

Claude Code:

claude mcp add --transport http {slug} https://{slug}.mctx.ai/v{version}

Cursor:

Don't worry - just copy this exactly as shown:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "{slug}": {
      "url": "https://{slug}.mctx.ai/v{version}"
    }
  }
}

Codex:

codex mcp add {slug} --url https://{slug}.mctx.ai/v{version}

The installation instructions show the exact commands with the correct server slug and version.

Step 4: Authenticate

When you first use the App, your AI client will:

1. Open a browser window for authentication
2. Prompt you to sign in with your mctx account
3. Store the access token securely

This happens automatically the first time you use the App.

Step 5: Start Using

Your AI assistant can now use the App's tools. For example:

"Use the weather tool to get the current weather in San Francisco"

Your AI will call the App and return the result.

Understanding Pricing

How Billing Works

mctx uses usage-based billing:

• Apps charge per request (typically per 1,000 requests)
• You're billed monthly based on how many requests you make
• No charges if you don't use the App

Example:

• App charges $0.50 per 1,000 requests
• You make 2,500 requests in a month
• You're charged $1.25 that month

Locked-In Pricing

The price you see when you subscribe is locked in for as long as you maintain that subscription. Your rate never changes while you're subscribed, even if the developer raises prices later.

This protects you from unexpected price increases while subscribed. However, if you unsubscribe and resubscribe later, you'll pay the current price at that time - not your original locked-in rate. Early subscribers who stay subscribed always pay less.

Can I try before I subscribe?

mctx doesn't offer free trials. Apps are paid to ensure developers are compensated and Apps remain maintained.

However, usage-based billing means test requests cost pennies. If you're exploring whether an App fits your workflow, a few test requests will cost far less than a dollar.

What AI Tools Work with mctx?

Any MCP client supporting Streamable HTTP and OAuth 2.1 can connect to Apps on mctx. Popular clients include:

• Claude Code
• Cursor
• Codex
• Claude Desktop
• Custom integrations using the MCP SDK

What Happens If I Cancel?

• When you cancel, your subscription is canceled immediately and you will not be charged again. Access to the App typically ends within minutes of cancellation.
• No further charges after you unsubscribe
• You can resubscribe anytime at the current price (not your old locked-in price)

Want to Build Your Own App?

Developers can host Apps on mctx and earn revenue from subscriptions. You earn 80%, mctx keeps 20% and handles the rest.

Learn more: MCP Basics and Server Requirements

Next Steps

Ready to subscribe? Head back to the server info page and click Subscribe - you'll have access in under 5 minutes.

Want to learn more? See the FAQ for common questions.

See something wrong? Report it or suggest an improvement — your feedback helps make these docs better.