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External MCP servers

Register a self-hosted or third-party MCP server so your team can use it through Unity Gateway. Create its connection as part of registration.

For a server that Databricks already provides, choose a Databricks-provided MCP. For automated setup, see the API and SDK reference.

Before you begin​

You need:

  • A Unity Catalog-enabled workspace and the Workspace access entitlement. Users with Consumer access can't register an MCP.
  • An MCP server that supports Streamable HTTP, its URL, and its authentication details.
  • USE CATALOG and USE SCHEMA on the parent catalog and schema, and CREATE SERVICE on the schema.
  • CREATE CONNECTION on the schema to create a connection, or USE CONNECTION on an existing connection.
  • Network access from the workspace to the server. See MCP authentication and networking.

The workspace must be in a region that supports Model Serving.

Step 1: Register the server​

  1. In your workspace, open Unity Gateway, select MCPs, and click + MCP.
  2. Choose Connect an existing MCP server.
  3. Choose a catalog and schema, and enter an MCP name. The name can't be changed after creation.
  4. Select an existing HTTP connection, or click Create new connection:
    • Enter the MCP server URL.
    • Choose the authentication method and enter the provider's credentials. For supported providers, use managed OAuth.
    • If you use OAuth with your own OAuth app, add https://<workspace-hostname>/login/oauth/http.html to the app's allowed redirect URLs. Some providers reject sign-in without it. For each authentication method's fields, see Create a connection to the external service.
    • Click Create & load tools to save the connection and discover its tools.
  5. Under Tools, click Login if prompted and sign in to the provider. Then choose the tools to expose. See Tool selection for filtering options.
  6. Click Create MCP Service.

Use a schema-level connection for new MCPs. If you already have a metastore-level connection, click Use a metastore-level connection to select it. For a server from Marketplace, follow Install an MCP server.

Step 2: Test a tool​

Test with AI Playground:

  1. Open AI Playground and choose a model with Tools enabled.
  2. Open Tools, click + Add tool, and select MCP Servers.
  3. Select External MCP servers, then your MCP.
  4. Ask the model to use a read-only tool. Confirm that it makes a tool call and returns the expected result.

For command-line tests, use the examples under Get started on the MCP's detail page. If a call fails, see MCP authentication and networking.

Step 3: Connect your agent​

Use the MCP's full name, <catalog>.<schema>.<service>, in your agent's setup:

Clients that require a server URL use:

Text
https://<workspace-hostname>/ai-gateway/mcp-services/<catalog>.<schema>.<service>

Limitations​

Next steps​

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