Developer previewStreamable HTTP

Idea Factory MCP

Connect Idea Factory to MCP clients so agents can start research runs, submit concrete ideas, track jobs, and read generated business briefs.

Create an API keyView config snippets
Endpoint
Use POST for MCP JSON-RPC messages.

URL

https://www.theideafactory.xyz/mcp

Auth

Authorization: Bearer $IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY

The current protocol version is 2025-06-18. If your client sends a protocol header, it must match that version.

MCP Status
Passing
Last Verified
May 31, 2026, 3:12 AM
Benchmark
11 passed / 0 failed
Brief Gate
5 focus briefs
Scoped keys
Grant only the actions a client needs.
Agent workflow
Start runs, check jobs, and read briefs from one client.
Brief resources
Briefs are exposed as JSON and markdown MCP resources.
Workflow
  1. 1Create an API key in Profile Settings with the scopes your client needs.
  2. 2Add the MCP server to your client with a bearer token from IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY.
  3. 3Ask your client to start a focus run or submit a direct idea.
  4. 4Poll the job or run status, list the generated briefs, then read the strongest brief.
Tools
Deprecated aliases are also available for older clients.
start_focus_runfocus:submit

Start a full research pipeline from a market, audience, workflow, or problem.

submit_direct_ideaidea:submit

Turn a concrete idea into a formatted brief without running exploration.

get_jobjobs:read

Read status and result metadata for an agent job.

get_focus_run_statusjobs:read

Inspect a focus run, including diagnostics and brief counts.

list_briefsbriefs:read

List briefs produced by a job or run and expose resource links.

read_briefbriefs:read

Read a brief as markdown or structured JSON.

Configuration

Store the secret in IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY. Do not commit client config files that contain resolved tokens.

Claude Desktop via local bridge
Use this API-key flow with a local bridge. Claude web connectors use OAuth instead of static bearer headers.
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "idea-factory": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://www.theideafactory.xyz/mcp",
        "--header",
        "Authorization: Bearer ${IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY}"
      ],
      "env": {
        "IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY": "${IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY}"
      }
    }
  }
}

Sample Outputs

Shapes vary by tool and job status, but successful tool calls return structured content and a text copy for clients that render plain text.

{
  "job": {
    "id": "job_abc123",
    "type": "focus_run",
    "status": "running",
    "run_id": "run_abc123"
  }
}
Troubleshooting

Authentication required

Set Authorization to Bearer $IDEA_FACTORY_API_KEY. The key must be active and unexpired.

Missing scope

Create a new key with the required scope. Starting runs, submitting ideas, reading jobs, and reading briefs are separate permissions.

Unsupported protocol version

Omit mcp-protocol-version or send 2025-06-18. Older protocol headers are rejected.

406 or 415 response

Send Content-Type: application/json and an Accept header that allows application/json.

Claude Desktop cannot connect directly

Claude remote connectors expect OAuth. For this developer preview API-key flow, use a local bridge such as mcp-remote.

Notes

This page documents a developer preview. Tool names and response fields may change.

Mutation tools consume credits according to your account and key budget. Read tools do not start new pipeline work.