After you connect to an external MCP server, discover its available tools and configure the ones you want to use in Applaud.
Before you begin
Make sure you have:
- Step 1: Create a connection for the MCP Server connector
- Identified the capability you want an AI agent, case experience, or workflow to use.
After you connect to an external MCP server, Applaud displays the tools that the server makes available. Choose the tool you need and configure it for use in your AI experience.
Choose an MCP tool
On the Discover screen.
- Browse the available tools or use Search to find the capability you need.
- Select the tool you want to use.
- Applaud creates a starting configuration based on the tool provided by the MCP server.
Configure the tool
Give the tool a clear configuration that helps an AI experience understand when and how to use it.
Tool title
Give the tool an outcome-focused title that makes sense to an AI agent and the people configuring it.
For example:
Check ticket status
rather than a technical MCP tool ID.
Tool name
The tool name is the system name used by Applaud. It is generated automatically.
Tool description
Describe:
- What the tool does.
- When the AI should use it.
- Any important conditions for using it.
Write the description from the AI agent's perspective rather than copying technical information from the external MCP server.
Risk level
Set a risk level that reflects what the tool can do.
For example, a tool that retrieves information generally has a lower impact than one that creates, updates, or deletes data.
Activity message
Add a short message that tells the employee what the AI is doing while the tool runs.
For example:
Checking ticket status...
Category
Use a category to group the tool with related tools, if needed.
Configure the tool inputs
Map the information the tool needs to complete its action.
Use the available input mapping options to determine where each value comes from, such as:
- Agent-provided - the AI provides the value based on the conversation.
- Fixed - use the same value each time.
- Context - use information from the current user or experience context.
- Set value - provide a defined value as part of the configuration.
- Unused - leave an available input unused when it isn't required for your use case.
Use Context for information that Applaud already knows about the signed-in user or current experience where appropriate. This can help keep technical identifiers out of the employee conversation.
Make sure every required input has a valid mapping before you save the tool.
Add conditions
Use conditions when the tool needs information that isn't always available.
Conditions can help the AI collect additional information from the employee before running the tool and support guided, multi-step interactions.
For example, if an action needs a ticket number and an update reason, the AI can collect the missing information before running the action.
Shape the response
Configure the response so the AI receives the information it needs to produce a useful answer.
Return the fields that are relevant to the AI experience and remove unnecessary information from the external response.
For example, a ticket-status tool might only need to return:
- Ticket number
- Status
- Last updated date
- Assigned team
Keeping responses focused can make it easier for the AI to use the result effectively.
Review the tool
Before testing, check that:
- The title clearly describes the outcome.
- The description explains when the tool should be used.
- The risk level reflects the impact of the action.
- Required inputs have valid mappings.
- Conditions collect any information the tool needs.
- The response contains the information the AI needs.
- Create, update, and delete actions have appropriate confirmation and controls.
Choose tools deliberately
An MCP server may provide many capabilities. Start with the tools that support real employee or business outcomes.
For each tool, consider:
- What problem does it solve?
- Which AI experience needs it?
- What information does it need?
- What could happen if it runs incorrectly?
- Who should be allowed to use it?