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

# Connect Claude Desktop to Sphinx MCP when using Third-Party Inference

> Connect Claude Desktop to the Sphinx MCP server when you use the Sphinx LLM Gateway.

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

* Connected Claude Desktop to the [Sphinx LLM Gateway](../api-gateway-setup)
* Access to a Sphinx workspace

## Add the Sphinx MCP server

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the third-party inference settings">
    In Claude Desktop, select **Developer → Configure Third-Party Inference**.

    <Frame caption="Open the third-party inference settings from the Developer menu">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/open-third-party-inference.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=57e168b72386813397c032e1746cde12" alt="Claude Desktop Developer menu with Configure Third-Party Inference highlighted" width="1124" height="661" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/open-third-party-inference.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Connectors">
    In the configuration sidebar, click **Connectors**.

    <Frame caption="Open the Connectors page in the third-party inference settings">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/open-connectors.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=ec2be9e3513c4727ebbb8aa0483e6fa1" alt="Claude Desktop third-party inference settings with Connectors selected in the sidebar" width="1120" height="663" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/open-connectors.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a blank server">
    Click **Add server**, then select **Blank**.

    <Frame caption="Add a blank MCP server configuration">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/add-blank-mcp-server.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=1c20fe1868934f83762e8f6d9298924f" alt="Claude Desktop Connectors page with Blank selected from the Add server menu" width="1119" height="655" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/add-blank-mcp-server.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure the Sphinx MCP server">
    Complete the form with the following values:

    | Field         | Value                                           |
    | ------------- | ----------------------------------------------- |
    | **Name**      | `sphinx`                                        |
    | **Transport** | **Streamable HTTP**                             |
    | **URL**       | `https://api.prod.sphinx.ai/mcp`                |
    | **OAuth**     | **Auto-register (dynamic client registration)** |

    Click **Sign in & test**. Claude Desktop opens the Sphinx authorization page in your browser.

    <Frame caption="Configure the Sphinx MCP server and sign in">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/configure-sphinx-mcp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=b40700fe44a581b0ddca21b9fc941cf8" alt="Sphinx MCP server configured with Streamable HTTP transport and automatic OAuth registration" width="683" height="553" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/configure-sphinx-mcp.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Allow access to your workspace">
    On the authorization page, select the Sphinx workspace you want to connect, then click **Allow access**.

    <Frame caption="Authorize Claude Desktop to access a Sphinx workspace">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/authorize-sphinx-mcp.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=c58d56b7cb0cd8da274e183817904adb" alt="Sphinx authorization page with a workspace selector and Allow access button" width="433" height="539" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/authorize-sphinx-mcp.png" />
    </Frame>

    Return to Claude Desktop and click **Apply Changes**. Claude Desktop restarts to apply the configuration.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the connection">
    After Claude Desktop restarts, return to **Developer → Configure Third-Party Inference → Connectors**. Under the Sphinx server, confirm that Claude Desktop displays **Connected successfully**.

    <Frame caption="Confirm that Claude Desktop connected to the Sphinx MCP server">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/confirm-sphinx-mcp-connection.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=e331686c94b8a167f4a9a795cd2aded4" alt="Sphinx MCP server status showing Connected successfully and a list of exposed tools" width="688" height="556" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/confirm-sphinx-mcp-connection.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Use Sphinx connectors">
    Start a new chat and click **+ → Connectors**. **Sphinx** now appears in the connectors list and is ready to use.

    <Frame caption="Access Sphinx from the Connectors menu in a Claude Desktop chat">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/sphinx-977f1673/4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT/claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/use-sphinx-connector.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=4co-eOu6W5_lXWNT&q=85&s=948e79bb33fc5124f37fbf4727474c56" alt="Claude Desktop chat composer with Sphinx enabled in the Connectors menu" width="1187" height="788" data-path="claude-desktop/sphinx-mcp/use-sphinx-connector.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  Claude Desktop is connected to Sphinx MCP, and Sphinx connectors are available in your chats.
</Check>