# Connect your agent

Give your AI client access to Altertable through MCP. Install the Altertable plugin where supported to include workflow skills alongside the connection.

For a complete first-time setup, start with [agent onboarding](/docs/getting-started.md).

## Let your agent configure the connection

If the agent can read documentation and run terminal commands, paste:

```text
Fetch https://altertable.ai/docs/agents/setup/prompt.md and follow the setup instructions for this agent.
```

The setup prompt detects the client, preserves existing configuration, and verifies authentication. If your client cannot install its own integration, follow its guide below.

## Choose your client

- [Claude](/docs/agents/setup/claude.md): Install the Altertable plugin in Claude, connect the hosted MCP server, and verify access to your data catalogs.
- [ChatGPT](/docs/agents/setup/chatgpt.md): Install the Altertable plugin in ChatGPT, connect the hosted MCP server, and verify access to your data catalogs.
- [Claude Code](/docs/agents/setup/claude-code.md): Install the Altertable plugin in Claude Code, load its bundled skills and MCP configuration, and verify access to your data catalogs.
- [Codex](/docs/agents/setup/codex.md): Install the Altertable plugin from its Codex marketplace, connect the hosted MCP server, and verify access to your data catalogs.
- [Cursor](/docs/agents/setup/cursor.md): Install the Altertable Cursor plugin, connect the hosted MCP server, and verify access to your data catalogs.
- [Other agents](/docs/agents/setup/other-agents.md): Install Altertable Skills in any compatible agent without a native plugin, then add the hosted MCP server and verify catalog access.
- [Setup prompt](/docs/agents/setup/prompt.md): Copy a prompt that asks an AI agent to install the Altertable plugin, preserve existing configuration, and verify the connection.

## Skills, MCP, and CLI

| Tool   | Purpose                                                       |
| ------ | ------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Skills | Guide the agent through Altertable workflows and tool choices |
| MCP    | Give the client authenticated access to Altertable operations |
| CLI    | Run terminal commands, load local files, and automate scripts |

MCP uses browser authorization. Choose the organization, environment, and access scope when connecting. See [MCP configuration](/docs/agents/mcp.md) for transport, OAuth, and read-only access.

Install and authenticate the [CLI](/docs/lakehouse/clients/cli.md) separately when the agent needs terminal workflows. See [Use the CLI with agents](/docs/agents/cli.md) for structured output and profile checks.

## Skills included

The [Altertable skills repository](https://github.com/altertable-ai/skills) packages the workflow instructions and client plugin manifests. Skills cover data exploration, ingestion, analysis, data apps, automation, and business context.

Use the client's update mechanism to refresh the installed plugin or skills package. Keep the installed version aligned with the workflows you use.

## Verify access

Ask the agent to initialize Altertable and list available catalogs. Complete browser authorization if prompted. Confirm that it sees the intended environment before asking it to query or change data.

Continue with the [onboarding conversation](/docs/getting-started.md#set-up-with-your-agent) to connect your stack and answer a first question.