Claude says "I couldn't connect to Built&Written" — what should I check?

If you use Claude Connectors: the URL must be exactly https://mcp.builtwritten.com/mcp (including the /mcp suffix). Remove and re-add the connector, then connect again. In other clients, confirm Authorization: Bearer is set — use a valid OAuth access token from that client or a bw_live_ API key.

Do I need an API key to use Built&Written in Claude?

No for Claude in the browser: add Built&Written under Customize → Connectors and sign in with OAuth. For Cursor, Cline, and similar apps you may get the same OAuth flow, or you can paste a personal API key — both end up as Bearer credentials the MCP server accepts.

Why do I get an INSUFFICIENT_SCOPE error?

Write operations (editing content, generation) require an Author+ Built&Written plan. With an API key, create a key that includes the write scope. With Claude OAuth, the same plan rules apply — free accounts are read-only for write tools.

I lost my API token — can I recover it?

No — tokens are never shown again after creation for security. Revoke the old key and create a new one at Settings → API Keys.

MCP works in Claude Desktop but not in Claude.ai — why?

Remote MCP support can vary by app version. In both clients, add Built&Written under Customize → Connectors with the same URL. Reconnect if status is not Connected. Claude custom connectors are in beta; see Anthropic help for current plan limits.

How do I add Built&Written to Claude Desktop or claude.ai?

Use Customize → Connectors → Add custom connector, paste https://mcp.builtwritten.com/mcp, then Connect and sign in with OAuth. Anthropic brokers the connection from their cloud — no terminal. Legacy: only if required, use mcp-remote and claude_desktop_config.json as described under the Legacy tab on this page.

Can I use the Built&Written MCP server in Cline, Cursor or Continue.dev?

Yes — same URL https://mcp.builtwritten.com/mcp. Use Bearer auth: OAuth from the IDE if available, otherwise an API key. See the Cursor, Cline & more tab above.

MCP · Remote · Streamable HTTP

Connect Built&Written
to Claude

Q: Why does start_generate return TIER_REQUIRED?

AI content generation requires the Author plan or above. Upgrade at /pricing.

Manage books from Claude: read chapters, edit structure, start generation. In Claude use one URL and OAuth — no terminal. Other apps use the same MCP URL; they send a Bearer token (OAuth from the app, or an API key you paste — see the last tab).

Setup — pick your client

Remote MCP is brokered through your Claude account — same steps in claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Cowork, and mobile. No terminal and no API key on this path.

Open Connectors in Claude

Launch claude.ai or Claude Desktop, then go to Customize → Connectors. On Pro/Max, click + then Add custom connector. Team/Enterprise owners add the URL under Organization settings first; members then connect from the same Connectors page.

Paste the Built&Written MCP URL

Name the connector Built&Written (or any label you like), then paste:

MCP server URL

https://mcp.builtwritten.com/mcp

Connect and sign in to Built&Written

Click Add, then Connect when prompted. Sign in to your Built&Written account and approve access — OAuth handles auth; Claude never sees your password.

Enable the connector in a chat

In the composer, use + → Connectors and toggle on BuiltWritten for the conversations where you want book tools.

Try it

Ask: "List my books" or "Show me the outline of my latest book"— Claude will call Built&Written tools automatically.

Revoke access: disconnect in Claude's Connectors settings, or remove the app under Built&Written → Settings → Connected Apps.

New here?Read the short intro — write a non-fiction book with Claude and Built&Written.

What Claude can do with your books

List and browse all your books

Read chapter structure and outlines

Read and edit chapter content

Start AI content generation

Update book title, author, metadata

Track generation job progress

Install hubs & listings

This MCP server is listed on Smithery— install or discover the hosted connector from there. The same page is linked from our GitHub README for verification.

Available tools

list_booksreadList all your books with status and metadata.

get_bookreadGet full details for a specific book by ID.

update_book_metadatawriteUpdate title, subtitle, author name/bio, ISBN.

get_structurereadGet the chapter/subchapter outline.

update_structurewriteReplace the full chapter outline.

get_contentreadRead text content for one chapter (by chapter number).

patch_subchapter_contentwriteReplace one subchapter's text.

start_generatewriteStart AI content generation. Returns job_id. Author+ plan required.

get_job_statusreadPoll a generation job's progress (0–100%).

get_coverreadGet the current cover editor state, preview URLs, notes, and generation metadata.

update_cover_designwriteUpdate cover canvas JSON and/or cover notes without rendering.

start_cover_generatewriteGenerate raw AI cover background art with anti-repetition diversity controls.

apply_cover_templatewriteAssemble title, subtitle, author, blurb, and art into a full cover layout; server auto-fits typography to match final render.

start_cover_renderwriteRender preview PNG, KDP PDF, and ebook JPEG; returns fitted cover_editor_state, typography_fit_notes, and render_warnings.

view_cover_artreadView either raw background art or the rendered full cover image.

evaluate_coverreadAI vision review of raw art or rendered cover (QA only; geometry uses server typography fit).

read scope — available on all plans (including Free). write scope — Author plan and above.

Troubleshooting

Claude says "I couldn't connect to BuiltWritten"

Check the URL is exactly https://mcp.builtwritten.com/mcp. For Claude Connectors, remove and re-add the connector, then Connect again. For Cursor/Cline, check Bearer auth: OAuth token from the client or bw_live_ API key.

I get "INSUFFICIENT_SCOPE" errors

Write actions need an Author+ plan. With an API key, enable write scope when creating the key. With Claude OAuth, the same Built&Written plan limits apply.

start_generate returns "TIER_REQUIRED"

Content generation requires the Author plan or above. Upgrade at /pricing.

I lost my API token

Tokens are never shown again after creation. Revoke the old key and create a new one at Settings → API Keys.

MCP works in Claude Desktop but not in claude.ai

Use the same Connectors URL in both. Update both apps, reconnect the connector, and check Anthropic status — custom connectors are in beta.

Your data stays yours

API tokens are hashed at rest and never logged. You can revoke access at any time from Settings → API Keys or Connected Apps. Each call is logged so you can see exactly what Claude touched.

Open Claude Connectors Create Built&Written account API keys (optional · IDE / legacy)Agent API reference

Tested with

Standard MCP server — connect Built&Written to any MCP-compatible AI client.