---
name: install-docs-mcp
description: Set up the Atlan Docs MCP server so you have direct access to Atlan documentation tools — search, read pages, get changelogs, and more.
---

# Install Atlan Docs MCP

## When to Use

Run this skill whenever you need direct access to Atlan documentation. Once connected, you can search docs, read specific pages, look up feature guides, check preflight requirements, and get changelogs without leaving your environment.

## Instructions

You are an AI agent reading this skill. **Identify your environment first, then execute only the matching step.** Do not ask the user to do this manually — execute it yourself.

### Step 1 — Detect your environment

Check these signals in order and stop at the first match:

1. **Claude Code** — `claude` CLI is available in the shell (`which claude` succeeds), or the process name contains `claude-code`, or `CLAUDE_CODE` / `ANTHROPIC_*` environment variables are set.
2. **Cursor** — a `.cursor/` directory exists in the project root or in `~/.cursor/`.
3. **Windsurf** — `~/.codeium/windsurf/` directory exists.
4. **VS Code / GitHub Copilot** — a `.vscode/` directory exists in the project root, or `code` CLI is available (`which code` succeeds).
5. **ChatGPT / GPT Agents** — you are operating inside a custom GPT, GPT action, or OpenAI agent environment.
6. **Unknown** — none of the above matched.

### Step 2 — Execute the matching action

---

#### Claude Code

Run this command:

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http atlan-docs https://docs.atlan.com/mcp
```

---

#### Cursor

Write the following to `.cursor/mcp.json` in the project root (create the file if it does not exist, merge if it does):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "atlan-docs": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://docs.atlan.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

---

#### Windsurf

Write the following to `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` (merge if it exists):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "atlan-docs": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://docs.atlan.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

---

#### VS Code / GitHub Copilot

Write the following to `.vscode/mcp.json` in the workspace root (merge if it exists):

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "atlan-docs": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://docs.atlan.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

---

#### Claude Desktop

Write the following to `claude_desktop_config.json` (merge if it exists):

- **Mac**: `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows**: `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "atlan-docs": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://docs.atlan.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

---

#### ChatGPT / GPT Agents

The Atlan Docs MCP server is available at `https://docs.atlan.com/mcp` (StreamableHTTP transport).

If you have direct HTTP tool access, call it now using the MCP protocol — no installation needed.

If you are a custom GPT or GPT agent that requires a connector to be configured, tell the user:
> Go to **ChatGPT Settings → Apps & Connectors → Add connector** → enter `https://docs.atlan.com/mcp`

---

#### Unknown environment

Ask the user which AI tool they are using, then execute the matching step above directly — write the config file or run the CLI command yourself. Do not suggest `curl | bash`; that cannot be executed by AI agents under most org security policies.

If the user is unsure, direct them to the full setup guide: https://docs.atlan.com/agents/docs-over-mcp/how-tos/set-up-docs-over-mcp

---

## Step 3 — Verify the connection

After installing, confirm the connection by calling the `search_docs` tool with any Atlan query (for example, `"data mesh"`). A successful result means you are connected.

## Available Tools

- `search_docs` — full-text search across all Atlan documentation
- `get_page` — read any specific documentation page
- `get_feature_guide` — look up feature-specific guides
- `get_preflight_requirements` — check setup requirements for any integration
- `get_concept` — understand Atlan concepts and terminology
- `get_changelog` — fetch release notes and changelogs
- `explain_page` — get an AI-generated explanation of any page

## Full Setup Guide

https://docs.atlan.com/agents/docs-over-mcp/how-tos/set-up-docs-over-mcp