MCP Setup

Give your AI assistant access to 603K quotes with source transparency.

What you'll be able to do:

• Search quotes by meaning, not just keywords
• See sources for every quote via QuoteSightings
• Works with Claude Code, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Codex CLI, Gemini CLI, and any MCP client

Most clients: one command. Claude Desktop config file: 2 minutes.

No signup needed to start. Anonymous access: 20 requests/day. For higher limits, create an API key or authenticate via OAuth device flow (prompted on first use).

Quick Setup (Any Client)

npx @quotewise/mcp setup

Interactive helper that generates config for your client. Or choose your client below.

Claude Code Setup

Run this command in your terminal:

claude mcp add --transport http quotewise https://mcp.quotewise.io/

Verify with claude mcp list or /mcp inside a session.

This adds Quotewise to your project-level .mcp.json. Use --scope user for global config.

Claude Desktop Setup

Method 1: Connectors UI (Recommended)

1. Open Claude Desktop
2. Go to Settings > Connectors
3. Add the MCP server URL:

Method 2: Config File

Add to your config file using the mcp-remote bridge:

Copy Config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "quotewise": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.quotewise.io/"]
    }
  }
}

Requires Node.js 18+. Auth via OAuth device flow on first connection.

Claude Desktop does not support remote HTTP servers directly in the config file. The mcp-remote bridge runs a local stdio process that proxies to the remote server.

Where is the config file?

macOS:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Windows:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

Linux:

~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Note: After editing the config file, restart Claude Desktop for changes to take effect.

Learn more: Connect to Remote MCP Servers (official docs)

ChatGPT Setup

Available to Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise, and Education accounts.

Connectors (Recommended)

1. Open ChatGPT Desktop > Settings > Connectors
2. Click Advanced, enable Developer Mode
3. Click Create and enter the MCP server URL:
4. In each new chat: click + > More > Developer Mode to activate Alternative: Custom GPT Actions (for building custom GPTs)

Add semantic quote search with source transparency to any custom GPT. Your GPT will find quotes by meaning and show sources for every result.

Step 1: Create Your GPT

1. Go to ChatGPT > Explore GPTs > Create
2. Click the Configure tab
3. Under Actions, click Create new action

Step 2: Choose Authentication

Choose the right auth: Public GPT? Use OAuth. Private GPT (just you)? Use API Key.

OAuth (Recommended for Public GPTs)

Each user authenticates with their own Quotewise account.

Client ID

(Register at /register)
Or use Dynamic Client Registration

Client Secret

Leave empty (public client)

Authorization URL

https://quotewise.io/oauth/authorize

Token URL

https://quotewise.io/oauth/token

Scope

quotes:read

Token Exchange Method

Default (POST request)

API Key (Private GPTs only)

Only use for private GPTs where you control access.

Auth Type

API Key

API Key

Your Quotewise API key

Auth Header

Authorization

Custom Header Name

Bearer

Step 3: Import OpenAPI Schema

Click Import from URL and enter:

Step 4: Privacy Policy

Enter our privacy policy URL:

Step 5: GPT Instructions

Copy these instructions into your GPT's system prompt to prevent hallucination and ensure source transparency:

Copy this entire block Copy

You help users find quotes from 500K+ quotes with source transparency via Quotewise.

CRITICAL RULE

NEVER invent quotes. ALWAYS use Quotewise API. If search returns no results, say "I couldn't find a quote matching that." Don't fabricate or guess.

Semantic Search (Primary Tool)

Use quotes_list with q parameter. This searches by MEANING, not keywords.

User describes what they want → you search that description → semantic vectors find conceptual matches.

Examples:

• "courage during uncertainty" finds Mandela, Roosevelt, etc.
• "persistence pays off" finds Edison, Jordan, etc.
• "question authority" finds Thoreau, Douglass, etc.

Finding Specific Authors

1. originator_search → find author by name
2. originator_quotes → get their quotes

Random Discovery

quote_random when users want inspiration without a specific topic.

Similar Quotes

quote_similar (by quote ID) or quote_similar_by_text when users want more like a quote they like.

Presenting Results

• ALWAYS show author name
• ALWAYS mention source/work if available (QuoteSightings provides this)
• Offer to find similar quotes or more from same author

Why This Matters

People search quotes for different reasons—presentations, inspiration, research, personal use. Quotewise provides source transparency via QuoteSightings. Show users the evidence so they can decide for themselves.

See OpenAI's authentication docs for more details on OAuth setup.

Codex CLI Setup

codex mcp add quotewise --url https://mcp.quotewise.io/

Verify with codex mcp list.

Gemini CLI Setup

Method 1: Command Line (Recommended)

gemini mcp add --transport http quotewise https://mcp.quotewise.io/

Method 2: Manual Configuration

Edit the settings.json file directly:

Copy Config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "quotewise": {
      "httpUrl": "https://mcp.quotewise.io/"
    }
  }
}

Auth via OAuth device flow on first connection.

macOS / Linux:

~/.gemini/settings.json

Windows:

%HOMEPATH%\.gemini\settings.json

Verify the Connection

1. Restart the Gemini CLI if already running
2. Enter chat mode by typing gemini
3. Type /mcp to see connected servers
4. You should see quotewise listed with status Connected

Try asking: "Get a quote regarding persistence"

Other MCP Clients

Any MCP client that supports remote HTTP servers can connect using this configuration:

Copy Config

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "quotewise": {
      "url": "https://mcp.quotewise.io/"
    }
  }
}

Exact config format varies by client. The URL is always https://mcp.quotewise.io/.

Auth is handled automatically via OAuth device flow on first use. No API keys needed in the config.

Troubleshooting

Connection refused or timeout

• Verify you can reach https://mcp.quotewise.io/ from your network
• Corporate firewalls may block the connection
• For the Claude Desktop config file method, ensure Node.js 18+ is installed (required by mcp-remote)

Invalid authentication token

• API tokens use the qw_ prefix. Regenerate your key at the developer dashboard
• Most clients use OAuth device flow automatically. If prompted, open the URL in your browser and enter the displayed code
• Anonymous access (20 requests/day) works without any authentication

Rate limit exceeded

• Anonymous access allows 20 requests/day. Sign up or upgrade for higher limits
• Monitor usage on the developer dashboard

Tools not appearing

• After adding the server config, restart your MCP client
• Use the ping tool to verify connectivity
• See the MCP Tools Reference for the full list of available tools

Related Pages

Getting Started

Quick setup guide for new developers

Start Here

MCP Tools Reference

Browse all available MCP tools

View Tools

Credits & Usage

Understand credit costs and limits

View Credits

API Documentation

REST API reference

View API Docs

Manage API Keys

View and manage your API keys

Go to Dashboard