> ## 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 Cursor and other apps

> Add AlphaYou to Cursor or any app that supports MCP, with a URL and a key or with npx.

Any app that supports MCP (Model Context Protocol) can use AlphaYou. You have 3 ways in.

| Way | Key needed | Use it when |
| - | - | - |
| Research server URL | No | Your app takes a remote MCP address |
| Hosted keyed server | Yes | Your app takes a remote MCP address and custom headers |
| `alphayou-mcp` with `npx` | Yes | Your app only runs local commands |

## Research server, no key

Add this address as a remote MCP server (Streamable HTTP):

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

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

## Hosted keyed server

The same keyed tools as the REST API, with nothing to install. Send your key as a Bearer token.

### Cursor

In Cursor's `mcp.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "alphayou": {
      "url": "https://api.alphayou.net/api/v1/mcp",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ay_your_key" }
    }
  }
}
```

### Any other app that takes a URL and headers

* Address: `https://api.alphayou.net/api/v1/mcp`
* Header: `Authorization: Bearer ay_your_key` (the `x-api-key` header also works)
* Transport: Streamable HTTP, stateless. One request carries one operation. There are no batches and no sessions.

Listing the tools costs nothing. Each tool call costs the same as the matching REST call and uses the same daily allowance. See [Plans and limits](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/plans-and-limits.md).

## `alphayou-mcp` with npx

For apps that only start a local command. It needs Node 20 or newer.

```bash theme={null}
npx -y alphayou-mcp
```

Give it your key in the `ALPHAYOU_API_KEY` setting. Many apps read an `mcpServers` list in this shape:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "alphayou": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "alphayou-mcp"],
      "env": { "ALPHAYOU_API_KEY": "ay_your_key_here" }
    }
  }
}
```

| Setting | Needed | Meaning |
| - | - | - |
| `ALPHAYOU_API_KEY` | Yes | Your key. A missing or rejected key stops startup with an error |
| `ALPHAYOU_API_BASE_URL` | No | Use a different API host. It defaults to production |

There is no plan setting. The server asks the API what your key can do and shows only those tools.

> [!NOTE]
>
> The hosted server and the `alphayou-mcp` package are tested with the standard MCP toolkit. We have not tested every app, and native installs in some apps are not verified yet. Apps differ in where they keep this list. Check your app's MCP page and use the same address, header or command.

## After you upgrade to Pro

Upgrades reach your existing keys within a minute. Restart your app so it reloads the tool list.

## If a tool call fails

A refusal comes back with `isError` set, and `structuredContent.error` carries the HTTP status, the error code and `retryAfterSeconds`. Wait after a `429`. Fix the key after a `401`. Fix the plan or the suspension after a `403`. See [Errors](https://docs.alphayou.net/api/errors.md).

Requests time out after 20 seconds. The server refuses redirects, so your key stays with the API host you set.


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