Connector Setup
How to install and configure an MCP connector in Mate.
Setting up a connector takes about a minute. Here is the process from start to finish.
Installation
Open Settings
Go to the Settings tab in Mate and find the Connectors section.
Browse connectors
You will see the full list of available connectors organized by category. Each connector shows its name, description, and what credentials it needs.
Select a connector
Click on the connector you want to enable. For example, GitHub.
Enter credentials
Most connectors require an API key or token. The setup form shows:
- What credential is needed (e.g., "Personal Access Token")
- A link to where you can create one (e.g., GitHub's token settings page)
- Guidance on what permissions/scopes to grant
Enter your credentials and save. They are stored locally in encrypted storage on your device.
Enable the connector
Toggle the connector on. Mate verifies that the required command (usually npx) is available and that the connector can start.
Verifying a connector
After enabling a connector, you can verify it works by:
- Opening a new Agent Chat tab
- Asking the agent to use a tool from that connector
For example, with the GitHub connector enabled, ask: "List my open pull requests." If the agent successfully calls the GitHub tools, the connector is working.
Command resolution
Connectors typically run via npx (Node.js package runner). Mate resolves commands in this order:
- Bundled runtime — Mate includes its own Node.js, so
npxworks without a system Node.js installation - System PATH — falls back to your system's Node.js if the bundled one is unavailable
You do not need Node.js installed on your system. Mate bundles a complete Node.js runtime on macOS, Windows, and Linux.
Credential storage
Credentials are stored locally on your device using platform-native secure storage. They are never sent to any server — only passed as environment variables to the connector process running on your machine.
To update or remove credentials, go back to the connector's settings page.
Disabling a connector
Toggle the connector off in Settings. The connector process stops, and the agent can no longer use its tools. Your credentials remain saved so you can re-enable it without re-entering them.
Troubleshooting
- Connector fails to start: Check that no firewall or security tool is blocking the
npxprocess - Tools not appearing in chat: Restart the agent chat session after enabling a new connector
- Authentication errors: Verify your API key/token is correct and has the required permissions
- Timeout errors: Some connectors take a few seconds to initialize on first run as
npxdownloads the package