In ChatGPT, open Plugins, select the plus button, then Add custom MCP server, name it, and paste your MCPifex URL with your API key at the end. Choose no authentication: the key in the URL signs the call. Developer mode may need to be on. OpenAI's help article lists Business, Enterprise and Edu workspaces on the web; some guides also report Plus and Pro. Check Settings in your own account.
Start free The Free plan has 3 instances and needs no card.
Step by step
- Get a key. In the portal, create an instance, choose which tools are allowed, run Test connection and generate an API key (it starts with mcpx_).
- Open the connector form. In ChatGPT open Plugins, select the plus button, then Add custom MCP server. If you do not see it, turn on developer mode in Settings, then Security and login. Menu names change. Older accounts may show Settings, Connectors, Advanced, Add connector instead.
- Name it and paste the URL. Add a name and description, for example Search Console. Set the connection to https://mcp.mcpifex.com/mcp/ followed by your key.
- Skip extra authentication. Choose no authentication. ChatGPT's custom MCP form has no header field, so the key goes in the URL and is the credential. Accept the risk warning, then create it.
- Try one read. In a new chat, type @ in the prompt box and select the app, then ask for one read-only task and check the tool result.
https://mcp.mcpifex.com/mcp/<YOUR_MCPX_KEY>Replace <YOUR_MCPX_KEY> with your key from the portal.
Which key form should I use in ChatGPT?
Use the key-in-URL form: https://mcp.mcpifex.com/mcp/<YOUR_MCPX_KEY>. The connector form takes one URL and no custom headers.
Treat that URL like a password. Anyone who has it can call the tools you allowed, so keep it out of screenshots and shared chats, and revoke the key in the portal if it leaks.
What should I try first?
Name the tool or the server in your first message so ChatGPT picks the right connector.
- Using the PostgreSQL connector, describe the orders table and list its columns. (PostgreSQL server, query tool only.)
- Using Google Search Console, show my top 10 queries by clicks for the last 28 days. (Google Search Console server.)
- Using Google Trends, compare 'ai agents' and 'mcp server' in the United States. (Google Trends server, no credentials.)
See every server on the marketplace, or read how the gateway controls which tools your AI can call.
Troubleshooting
- I do not see Add custom MCP server. Developer mode is off or not offered for your plan or workspace. Workspace admins may need to enable it. Check OpenAI's own help pages for current availability.
- ChatGPT cannot reach the server. Check the URL is https://mcp.mcpifex.com/mcp/ plus your key, with no spaces. A revoked or mistyped key returns an authorization error, so copy a fresh key from the portal.
- ChatGPT answers without calling a tool. Type @ in the prompt box, select the app, and name the server in the prompt. Also confirm the tool you want is allowed on the instance, since write tools start off.
More errors and fixes are in the troubleshooting docs.
Full setup guides
- Connect ChatGPT (docs)
- Connect an MCP server to ChatGPT, step by step
- ChatGPT developer mode and MCP explained
- Connect ChatGPT to a database
Another client? See Connect your AI.
Ready to try it?
Run hosted MCP servers behind one endpoint and choose exactly which tools your AI can use.