Setup

The PlaceOptimizer MCP server is a hosted, remote server. There is nothing to install: your client connects over HTTP to https://app.placeoptimizer.com/mcp.

Connecting a remote client fully works end to end. The endpoint serves three public tools (ping_console, get_audit_overview, get_public_endpoints) with no sign-in — every client can call them immediately. The five tenant tools (locations, metrics, reviews, posts, org info) unlock automatically once your client completes the OAuth 2.1 flow: the client discovers the authorization server from the endpoint's protected-resource metadata, registers itself on the fly, and opens your browser to the PlaceOptimizer sign-in and consent screen. Approve the requested scopes and the tenant tools appear. There is no API key and no shared secret to configure.

Prerequisites

• An MCP-compatible client that supports remote MCP servers over HTTP: Claude (web or desktop), ChatGPT, or Cursor.
• No API key, no config file to manage. For the tenant tools you need a PlaceOptimizer console account — sign in with Google or a magic link when the browser opens.

Claude (web and desktop)

Claude supports remote MCP custom connectors across Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

1. Open Settings → Connectors (on claude.ai) or Customize → Connectors (in Claude Desktop).
2. Click Add, then Add custom connector.
3. Enter the MCP server URL:

   https://app.placeoptimizer.com/mcp
   

4. Leave the advanced auth settings at their defaults. The connector discovers the OAuth endpoints automatically: it registers as a client and opens the PlaceOptimizer sign-in and consent screen. Approve the scopes to unlock the tenant tools.
5. Finish adding the connector, then enable it per conversation from the + button in chat.

ChatGPT

Custom connectors are available on Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans.

1. Open Settings → Connectors.
2. If needed, enable Developer mode in the advanced connector settings.
3. Add a custom connector.
4. Use the MCP server URL:

   https://app.placeoptimizer.com/mcp
   

5. Complete the authorization flow ChatGPT opens: sign in to PlaceOptimizer and approve the requested scopes. The tenant tools unlock once you do.

Cursor

Cursor supports remote MCP servers through the MCP settings or a project mcp.json:

1. Open Cursor Settings → MCP, or create/edit .cursor/mcp.json in your project.
2. Add the server as a remote HTTP server:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "placeoptimizer": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://app.placeoptimizer.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

3. Reload the MCP servers list in Cursor. The server appears with its tools ready to call.
4. The first time a tool needs authorization, Cursor opens the PlaceOptimizer sign-in and consent screen. Approve the scopes to unlock the tenant tools.

Verifying the setup

After connecting, ask your assistant:

"What PlaceOptimizer tools do you have?"

Then:

"Ping the PlaceOptimizer console."

Before you authorize, the assistant lists the three public tools and returns the service identity (PlaceOptimizer Console, version, status ok). After you complete the OAuth flow, it lists all eight tools and can answer tenant questions such as "List my managed locations."

Next steps

• Available Tools — what each tool does and its inputs
• Authentication — the OAuth 2.1 flow, scopes, and revoking access
• Troubleshooting — if a tool call fails or no tools appear