# Connect Claude.ai

> Add the remote server as a custom connector for conversational policy research.

## Before you connect

Create a free Government Context account first. Authentication uses a browser OAuth flow: do not create, copy, or paste an API key.

## Connect

Claude calls a custom MCP server a **custom connector**. Custom connectors are available in beta on Free, Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans. **Free Claude users can add one custom connector.** Your Government Context account can also be free.

The steps below use the Claude desktop app; the web at claude.ai is the same. On Team or Enterprise, an owner adds it once under **Organization settings → Connectors**.

1. Open the menu under your name and click **Settings**.
   ![The Claude desktop app menu with Settings highlighted.](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context/claude-desktop/01-settings.png)
2. In the Settings sidebar, click **Connectors**.
   ![The Claude desktop Settings screen with Connectors highlighted in the sidebar.](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context/claude-desktop/02-connectors.png)
3. Click **Add** at the top right of the Connectors screen.
   ![The Claude desktop Connectors screen with the Add button highlighted in the top right.](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context/claude-desktop/03-add-connector.png)
4. In the menu that opens, click **Add custom connector**.
   ![The Add menu on the Claude desktop Connectors screen with Add custom connector highlighted.](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context/claude-desktop/04-add-custom-connector.png)
5. Fill in the dialog — name it `Government Context`, paste `https://mcp.governmentcontext.com` as the URL — then click **Add**. Leave the OAuth client ID and secret empty: you sign in through your browser in the next step, so there is nothing to paste here.
   ![The Add custom connector dialog in Claude desktop with the name Government Context and the server URL entered.](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context/claude-desktop/05-add-details.png)
6. Claude opens your browser to sign in to Government Context and approve access. Once you approve, the connector shows as connected and the tools are available in a new chat.

> **Add it once, use it everywhere**
>
> Connectors sync with your Claude account, so adding Government Context in one Claude app makes it available in the others, including mobile. You cannot add a custom connector from the mobile app itself.

Full walkthrough with every screen: [How to install Government Context](https://www.governmentcontext.com/guides/how-to-install-government-context).

## Your first query

Start with a research question that makes the server compose search, detail, and comment tools:

> Which trade associations oppose the FMCSA broker-transparency rule, and what are their main arguments?

If free-tier data is withheld, the tool result explains what is missing and which paid capability would add it. The agent should relay that note instead of retrying the same request.

## Troubleshooting

- Use the bare hostname exactly as shown; do not append `/mcp`.
- If authorization restarts, reconnect and confirm the intended organization.
- If a tool is missing, confirm it is enabled in the client's connector controls.
- Rate-limit responses include a retry time; wait rather than retrying immediately.

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Source: https://www.governmentcontext.com/docs/connect/claude-ai
Every Government Context docs page is available as Markdown: add `.md` to its URL.
Index of the docs, the guides, and every MCP tool: https://www.governmentcontext.com/llms.txt