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

# MCP overview

> How to connect ElarisLabs Creative Studio to Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients so your agent can generate images, video, audio, and brand packs with a single prompt.

Connect ElarisLabs Creative Studio to Claude, Cursor, and other MCP clients.

Generate images, video, audio, brand packs, captions, and composer edits from any
agent that speaks MCP. Credits bill to the brand your API key is bound to.

## What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard for connecting AI
assistants to external tools and data.

Instead of copy-pasting API docs into a chat, the client discovers callable
tools from a server. The model invokes them when your prompt needs real actions,
like generating an image, listing projects, or resizing a brand pack.

```
You (prompt) -> MCP client (Claude, Cursor) -> ElarisLabs MCP (/api/mcp) -> Creative Studio (models + credits)
```

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Tools, not chat plugins" icon="wrench">
    The agent sees structured tools with schemas. It picks the right one and
    passes arguments. No manual API calls.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Remote HTTP" icon="globe">
    ElarisLabs runs a hosted MCP endpoint. No local install required. Just paste
    a JSON config and your API key.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Brand-scoped billing" icon="credit-card">
    Every key is bound to one brand. Generation tools deduct credits from that
    brand's balance. Discovery tools are free.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How does the connection work?

1. Create a **brand-bound API key** with an expiry and spend cap
2. Point your MCP client at `https://studio.elarislabs.ai/api/mcp` with that key
3. Call discovery tools (free), then generation tools (credits)

| Aspect   | Details                                                                                           |
| -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Protocol | MCP over Streamable HTTP at `/api/mcp`                                                            |
| Auth     | `Authorization: Bearer elx_live_...` header on every request                                      |
| Session  | Stateless. No persistent connection to manage                                                     |
| Timeouts | Video and brand-pack jobs may take 30 to 90 seconds                                               |
| Errors   | Invalid, expired, or revoked keys return auth errors. Insufficient credits return a billing error |

## Where do I go next?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Setup guide" icon="rocket" href="/docs/connect/setup">
    Claude Desktop, Cursor, and other client configs.
  </Card>

  <Card title="API keys" icon="key" href="/docs/connect/api-keys">
    Create, rotate, and revoke brand-bound keys.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tool reference" icon="wrench" href="/docs/connect/tools">
    Full list of free and paid MCP tools.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Slack" icon="hash" href="/docs/connect/slack">
    Same tools via the Slack worker, without MCP.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>