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

# Connect Claude

> Add AlphaYou to Claude, Claude Desktop or Claude Code. No key needed to start.

Pick the row that matches how you use Claude.

| You use | Key needed | Go to |
| - | - | - |
| Claude on the web or the desktop app | No | [Add the research connector](#claude-on-the-web-or-desktop-no-key) |
| Claude Code | No | [Add the research server](#claude-code-no-key) |
| Claude Code or Claude Desktop, with your own key | Yes | [Use your key](#use-your-key) |

## Claude on the web or desktop (no key)

1. Open **Customize**, then **Connectors**.
2. Choose **+ Add**, then **Add custom connector**.
3. Paste this address and save:

   ```text theme={null}
   https://alphayou.net/api/mcp/market
   ```

No login is needed. You can also use the **Install in Claude** button on the [AlphaYou connectors page](https://alphayou.net/connectors).

Open a new chat and ask a question. The [Try it](#try-it) section has 4 to copy.

## Claude Code (no key)

Run one of these in your terminal.

```bash Research server theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http alphayou-research "https://alphayou.net/api/mcp/market"
```

```text Plugin (inside a Claude Code session) theme={null}
/plugin install alphayou --marketplace vanshb95/alphayou-claude-plugin
```

Both give you the same 19 read-only research tools. See the [Tool catalog](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/tool-catalog.md).

## Use your key

A key unlocks the keyed tools (4 on Free, 9 on Pro). It also lets your own code and agents use the daily allowance on [Plans and limits](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/plans-and-limits.md). Get a key first. The steps are in the [Quickstart](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/quickstart.md).

> [!NOTE]
>
> The one-click add in Claude on the web does not take a key. Keyed access needs OAuth sign-in, which is not built yet. Use Claude Code or Claude Desktop with a key.

> [tab] Claude Code, hosted
>
> Nothing to install. Claude Code connects straight to our server:
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> claude mcp add --transport http alphayou \
>   https://api.alphayou.net/api/v1/mcp \
>   --header "Authorization: Bearer ay_your_key"
> ```

> [tab] Claude Code, on your machine
>
> This runs the `alphayou-mcp` package with `npx`. It needs Node 20 or newer.
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> claude mcp add alphayou --env ALPHAYOU_API_KEY=ay_your_key_here -- npx -y alphayou-mcp
> ```

> [tab] Claude Desktop
>
> Add this to `claude_desktop_config.json`, then restart the app. It needs Node 20 or newer.
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "mcpServers": {
>     "alphayou": {
>       "command": "npx",
>       "args": ["-y", "alphayou-mcp"],
>       "env": { "ALPHAYOU_API_KEY": "ay_your_key_here" }
>     }
>   }
> }
> ```

Use your own key in place of `ay_your_key`. Never share it or commit it. See [Keys and authentication](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/authentication.md).

## Check that it works

* In Claude Code, run `/mcp`. You should see `alphayou` or `alphayou-research` in the list.
* In any chat, ask: "Which AlphaYou tools can you use?"
* With a key, the list depends on your plan. A Free key shows 4 tools and Pro shows 9. After you upgrade, restart your app so it picks up the new list.

## Try it

Paste one of these into a new chat:

* "Use AlphaYou to show NVDA purchases and sales disclosed by Congress, with activity dates, filing dates and original sources."
* "Use AlphaYou to compare AAPL fund holdings and insider transactions. Keep reporting periods and transaction types separate."
* "Use AlphaYou to find five Hyperliquid traders by Sharpe and inspect their BTC positions and losses."
* "Use AlphaYou to show NVIDIA's most recent 8-K filings, with filing dates and original SEC links."

## If it does not work

* The tool list is empty or old: restart the app.
* `401` after adding a key: the key is missing or wrong. See [Errors](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/errors.md).
* Something else: write to [info@alphayou.net](mailto:info@alphayou.net) with the app you use and the time it happened.


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