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

> ## Agent Instructions
> Shippo is a multi-carrier shipping API. For agent integrations that execute shipping operations (rates, labels, tracking, address validation, customs), connect the hosted Shippo MCP server at https://mcp.shippo.com (per-user OAuth; setup at /guides/mcp-server). To search and read this documentation from an agent, a docs search MCP is available at https://docs.goshippo.com/mcp. Shipping workflow knowledge (agent skills and a knowledge pack) is published at https://github.com/goshippo/ai. For REST integrations start at /guides/api-quickstart; test mode uses shippo_test_ API keys.

# Get connected

> Connect Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Claude Code, or any MCP client to the hosted Shippo MCP server at mcp.shippo.com, then add Shippo's skills and knowledge pack so your assistant knows how to ship.

## Connect to the hosted server

Connect any MCP-compatible client to `https://mcp.shippo.com`. The first time you use it, your client opens a Shippo sign-in window. Authorize it once and you are connected.

| Setting | Value |
| :- | :- |
| Server URL | `https://mcp.shippo.com` |
| Transport | Remote MCP over streamable HTTPS |
| Authentication | Sign in to Shippo (OAuth) |

<Tip>
  There is no API key to configure for the hosted server: authentication is handled by signing in to your Shippo account. The hosted server operates against your **live** Shippo account; see [Live account and charges](/guides/mcp-server-resources#live-account-and-charges).
</Tip>

**Quick add (one click).** Each button configures your client with the hosted server, `https://mcp.shippo.com`; you still complete the Shippo sign-in on first use. If your client is not listed, follow the per-client steps below.

<CardGroup cols={4}>
  <Card title="Cursor" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href="https://cursor.com/en-US/install-mcp?name=shippo&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21jcC5zaGlwcG8uY29tIn0=" />

  <Card title="VS Code" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href="vscode:mcp/install?%7B%22name%22%3A%22shippo%22%2C%22type%22%3A%22http%22%2C%22url%22%3A%22https%3A%2F%2Fmcp.shippo.com%22%7D" />

  <Card title="LM Studio" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href="lmstudio://add_mcp?name=shippo&config=eyJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL21jcC5zaGlwcG8uY29tIn0%3D" />

  <Card title="Goose" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" href="goose://extension?name=shippo&url=https%3A%2F%2Fmcp.shippo.com" />
</CardGroup>

Claude and ChatGPT both let you add Shippo in one click from their directories; see their per-client sections below.

### Claude (claude.ai and Claude Desktop)

Shippo is a published connector in Claude's directory, so you add it by name (with the Shippo icon) rather than pasting a URL. The directory is shared across claude.ai (web), Claude Desktop, and Claude mobile, so the steps are the same on each.

<Card title="Shippo in the Claude connector directory" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" horizontal href="https://claude.ai/directory/connectors/shippo" />

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open Connectors">
    On claude.ai, open **Customize** in the sidebar and go to **Connectors**. In Claude Desktop, open **Settings → Connectors**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Browse the directory">
    Click **+**, choose **Browse connectors**, and find **Shippo** in the list.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect">
    Click **Connect** on the Shippo listing, then complete the Shippo sign-in when prompted. The connector uses the hosted server `https://mcp.shippo.com`; there is nothing to install and no API key to enter.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Team and Enterprise admins can enable Shippo for the whole organization: in **Admin settings → Connectors**, click **Browse connectors**, find **Shippo**, and add it for your organization. Enabling it lists Shippo for members but does not sign them in; each member connects it under **Customize → Connectors** and completes the Shippo sign-in on first use. On Team plans, members who cannot add connectors see a **Request** button that notifies an admin instead.

<Note>
  If you do not see Shippo in the directory (for example, if your organization limits directory connectors), you can still add it as a custom connector: click **+**, choose **Add custom connector**, name it `Shippo`, paste the server URL `https://mcp.shippo.com`, leave the advanced OAuth fields blank, and click **Add**. Same hosted server, same sign-in.
</Note>

### Claude Code

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http shippo https://mcp.shippo.com
```

Then run `/mcp`, select the Shippo server, and complete the browser sign-in to authorize.

### ChatGPT

Shippo is available in ChatGPT's app directory, so you can add it by name instead of pasting a URL. In the ChatGPT sidebar, open the **Apps** tab, find **Shippo**, click **Connect**, and complete the Shippo sign-in. This works on free and paid plans.

<Card title="Shippo in the ChatGPT directory" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" horizontal href="https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6a3be8ce7d0c81918cb8bcc8f6d0008e" />

<Note>
  If your workspace does not show Shippo in the directory (some Business and Enterprise workspaces limit which apps appear, and an admin may need to allow it first), you can still add it manually: open **Settings** and go to the connectors area (labeled **Apps**, **Connectors**, or **Plugins** depending on your plan and version; some versions require turning on a developer or advanced option first), add a connector named `Shippo` with the server URL `https://mcp.shippo.com` and **Authentication** set to **OAuth**, then complete the Shippo sign-in. Same hosted server, same sign-in.
</Note>

To use Shippo in a conversation, mention it with **@Shippo** or open the **+** menu in the message box and select **Shippo**. Then ask in natural language, for example: "What are the cheapest rates to ship a 2 lb box from San Francisco to Austin, TX?"

### Cursor

Add a remote MCP server in `.cursor/mcp.json` (project) or `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (global):

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shippo": {
      "url": "https://mcp.shippo.com"
    }
  }
}
```

Cursor supports OAuth for remote MCP servers. After saving the config, open **Settings → Tools & Integrations**, find Shippo, and complete the sign-in prompt.

### Other MCP clients

Any client that supports a remote MCP server over HTTP with OAuth can connect: use the URL `https://mcp.shippo.com` and complete the Shippo authorization when prompted. The server is also listed in the official [MCP Registry](https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/) as `com.shippo/shippo-mcp`, so clients with registry-based discovery can find and add it by name.

### Stdio-only clients (npm bridge)

<Warning>
  Use the bridge only when your client cannot connect to remote MCP servers. If your client supports remote MCP with OAuth, connect to `https://mcp.shippo.com` directly (see above): same account, same tools, one less moving part.
</Warning>

If your client can only launch a local MCP server (stdio), use the [`@shippo/shippo-mcp`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@shippo/shippo-mcp) npm package. It is a thin local bridge to the same hosted server: the first request opens the Shippo sign-in in your browser, and tool discovery and execution happen on the hosted server, so its tools always match the connector above. Requires Node.js 18+.

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "shippo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@shippo/shippo-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

## Skills and knowledge for AI assistants

The connector gives your assistant Shippo's **tools** (see [Features](/guides/mcp-server-features)). To also give it Shippo **know-how**, so it picks the right service, formats addresses and customs data correctly, and follows shipping best practices, add Shippo's skills and reference knowledge as context.

Shippo maintains ready-to-use skills and assistant integrations in the open-source [`goshippo/ai`](https://github.com/goshippo/ai) repository:

* **Claude:** install the Shippo plugin, which bundles this MCP connector together with Shippo's skills.
  * **Claude Code:** run `/plugin marketplace add goshippo/ai`, then `/plugin install shippo@shippo`.
  * **Claude apps (claude.ai and Desktop):** download [the Shippo plugin](https://github.com/goshippo/ai/releases/latest/download/shippo-plugin.zip) from the latest release and add it in the Plugins UI. A Team or Enterprise admin can install it for everyone under **Organization settings → Plugins**.
* **ChatGPT, Cursor, and other assistants:** download the [Shippo knowledge pack](https://github.com/goshippo/ai/releases/latest/download/shippo-knowledge-pack.md) and add it as context (a Project file, a custom GPT's knowledge, or an attached document), then connect the MCP server above so the assistant can act on it.

<Tip>
  Knowledge plus the connector is the full experience: the assistant understands *how* to ship and can actually *do* it. Knowledge on its own lets it advise you and draft API requests; add the connector when you want it to fetch live rates, buy labels, or track packages.
</Tip>


## Related topics

- [MCP Server](/guides/mcp-server.md)
- [Carrier authorization using OAuth](/carriers/carrier-o-auth.md)
- [List all carrier accounts](/api-reference/carrier-accounts/list-all-carrier-accounts.md)