# MCP & Agent Setup

> Connect an external agent to iMario and install its companion research skill.

Source: https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/overview

## Fastest path: paste one line into your agent

In Claude Code, Codex or Cursor, paste:

```text
Connect iMario to this agent: imario.ai/SKILL.md
```

The line names a task and the page that explains it, so the agent reads the page as instructions rather than as material to test. The page is a setup sheet, not the skill itself. It registers the iMario MCP server in your agent, installs the `imario` skill, and stops at the one step only you can do: approving the connection in your browser. Then it lists your audiences to confirm the connection and runs your question.

ChatGPT and claude.ai do not act on a pasted page: they read it and answer. There you add the connector yourself in the app's settings, which takes a minute; the exact clicks are in [Connect the iMario MCP server](https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/mcp#1a-approve-a-connection-chatgpt-claude-claude-code-codex-vs-code).

Everything the sheet does can also be done by hand, below.

## Choose the connection you need

| Goal | Setup | Where it runs |
|---|---|---|
| Ask your iMario audiences from an external agent | [Connect the iMario MCP server](https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/mcp) | Your MCP client calls the iMario workspace |
| Teach that agent the research workflow and result-reading rules | [Install the iMario skill](https://imario.ai/docs/agent-setup/install-skill) | The external agent reads a local SKILL.md |

MCP provides callable tools. The companion skill supplies instructions for choosing an audience, estimating cost and reading results. Installing the skill does not connect the server or grant workspace access.

## First successful setup

Connect MCP, verify that the client can list tools and accessible audiences, then install the companion skill if available. Listing tools is a connection check; submitting a study spends workspace credits. Ask for an estimate before deciding to run.

A study created over MCP appears in the workspace with a `web_url`. Keep that link with the results so you can inspect the study in iMario.

## Privacy and support

An agent connection reads only what each tool call carries: the question, the options, the audience ids and the material you send for a study. It does not read the rest of your conversation. Data handling follows iMario's [privacy policy](https://imario.ai/privacy) and [terms](https://imario.ai/terms); questions go to [support@imario.ai](mailto:support@imario.ai).