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Atarim MCP: Connecting Claude, Codex, and Other Coding Agents

Connect Claude, Codex, or any MCP-compatible assistant to your Atarim workspace in three steps: copy the Server URL, add it to your assistant, and authorize the connection.

Atarim team Updated 7 Oct 2026 · 16 min read
Integrations
Atarim MCP setup showing the connection pillars and the Claude and Codex tool buttons
Before you start

Relevant for

  • Agencies whose developers work inside an AI coding assistant like Claude or Codex day to day
  • Anyone who wants a client request to turn into working code without copy-pasting context back and forth
  • Teams setting this up for the first time on a new computer

Required knowledge

  • None to understand what it does — setting it up involves pasting a short command or a line of text into another app, so a little comfort with technical steps helps
  • Anyone with an Atarim account can connect their own assistant. It can only reach what your account can reach. If you don't see Settings, use Connect via MCP on the Projects screen.

Tools & resources needed

  • Settings > Connected Apps > Atarim MCP
  • Claude, Codex, or another AI coding assistant installed on your computer
  • An Atarim account

If your developers work inside an AI coding assistant — Claude, Codex, or something similar — Atarim MCP connects that assistant directly to your workspace. Once connected, it can read tasks, look up sites, and even trigger approved actions on its own, so a client request captured in Atarim can turn into working code without anyone manually copying details across. Setup is short: copy your Server URL from Atarim, add it to your assistant, and approve a one-time browser prompt — the sections below walk through each part, including the exact setup for Claude, Codex, and other MCP-compatible tools.

Step-by-Step Guide

What This Actually Does

Think of it as a direct line between Atarim and your developer’s AI assistant. Normally, if a client leaves a request in Atarim, someone has to read it, understand it, and go explain it to whatever tool they’re coding in. With Atarim MCP connected, the assistant can just look the information up itself — what site it’s about, what the task says, what’s already been done. “MCP” stands for Model Context Protocol, an open standard that a growing number of AI tools support for exactly this kind of connection — Atarim is simply one of the things they can connect to.

Concretely, once connected, your assistant can:

  • Read and manage tasks — pull up a task’s full content, change its status or priority, assign it, tag it, or break it into subtasks, all without anyone switching over to Atarim to do it manually.
  • See every site and client in the workspace — list projects, look up a specific site’s details, screenshots, or pages, and check who a client is before starting work.
  • Work with your workflows — list, create and edit them, check a draft before saving, switch them on or off, run one on demand, review past runs, and subscribe to a template.
  • Manage clients (Beta) — invite a client and create their workspace, set an agency-funded client’s monthly credits, and record engagement value, notes and request allowance.
  • See what is waiting for approval — list what is in each project’s Approval Queue (Beta), and record your approve or decline.
  • Apply a task’s Do It suggestion to the WordPress site. On a published, private or scheduled page this waits for your approval.
  • Produce reports and assets — create and edit reports and pages (artifacts), generate images, take screenshots, convert files, and run Lighthouse and keyword-trend checks.
  • Use built-in prompts for a client update, a PM summary, recent activity and what needs attention.
  • Trigger an AI design review on a specific page or graphic directly from the conversation.
  • Run SEO research — look up search volume, keyword difficulty, competitors, backlink profiles and what’s actually ranking, without leaving the conversation for a separate SEO tool.
  • Work on a linked Duda site — connect an Atarim project to a site in your Duda account, then work with its content, store and site data the same way.
  • Fire a Zapier action on demand — run a single action on your connected Zapier account when it’s needed, rather than waiting for a Zap to trigger on its own.
  • Handle the work around the work — folders, milestones, tags, reference documents and the project’s plugin stack are all reachable too, so an assistant can set a job up and close it out, not just do the middle part.
  • Make real changes on a connected WordPress site through the same bridge the rest of Atarim uses — not just read information, but actually execute WordPress actions your assistant has access to. That reach includes the two heaviest jobs on the site: running WP-CLI for work no other action covers, and scanning the site for known vulnerabilities in its plugins, themes and core. Both are described in the Atarim WordPress plugin article.

That last point is the one worth being precise about: connecting your assistant this way doesn’t loosen any of Atarim’s existing safeguards. If something your assistant tries to do would normally need your sign-off in the Approval Queue, it still does. Your assistant has to ask you, and can only record a yes or no that you have clearly given. Connecting MCP changes how the request reaches you, not whether it still needs your approval.

Without MCPWith MCP connected
Someone reads the client’s task, then explains it to the developer.The assistant reads the task directly, in the conversation.
Developer switches to Atarim to check status, tags, or history.The assistant looks it up without switching tools.
Approval Queue still applies to anything gated.Approval Queue still applies — MCP changes the request path, not the safeguard.

Where to Turn It On

The Server URL is the only thing you need to copy. Authentication is handled for you.

Instructions:

  1. In Atarim, from the main dashboard, select Settings.
  2. Under Connected Apps, select Atarim MCP.
  3. Under Connect an agent, pick Claude, Codex or Other. The setup lines for that agent appear below it, each with a copy control, and a message confirms Copied to clipboard. Claude shows two: a command to run in your terminal for Claude Code, and the server URL, https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp, for Claude Desktop or claude.ai. Codex shows a command with the address already in it. Other shows the server URL. For the steps below, copy the server URL.
  4. Switch to Claude and open Settings, then Connectors.
  5. Select Add at the top right, then Add custom connector.
  6. In the first field, enter a name: Atarim.
  7. In the second field, paste the Server URL you copied.
  8. Leave OAuth Client ID and OAuth Client Secret empty — Atarim registers the client automatically.
  9. Select Add.
  10. A browser page opens headed Connect Claude to Atarim. It explains that Claude will act as you, across every workspace and site you can access. If you aren’t signed in to Atarim, you’ll sign in first and return here.
  11. Select Connect. The button shows Connecting…, then the page confirms You’re connected.
  12. You’re returned to Claude automatically. If not, select Close this tab.
  13. Back in Claude, confirm Atarim now appears in your connector list.
  14. Test it — ask Claude which Atarim workspaces you have access to. You should see your own workspaces named back, not a generic answer.
Tip
The Server URL is the same for everyone in your team. There is nothing to generate and nothing to personalise — the workspace and permissions come from the account you sign in with during setup, not from the address.
Settings with Atarim MCP selected under Connected Apps, showing the Connect an agent tiles and setup lines
Open Atarim MCP Settings
Claude Settings open at the main preferences screen
Open Claude Settings
Atarim MCP panel with Claude selected and the copy control beside the https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp server URL
Copy the Atarim MCP Server URL
Connectors section of Claude Settings
Open Connectors in Claude Settings
Claude's Connectors settings with the Add menu open and an arrow on Add custom connector
Custom connector form with the Atarim name and server URL entered
Enter the Atarim Connector Name and Server URL
Atarim approval screen prompting to connect Claude
Connect Claude to Atarim
Authorisation prompt granting Claude access to the Atarim workspace
Authorize Claude to Connect to Your Atarim Workspace
Claude showing the Atarim connector in a connected state
Confirm Claude Is Connected to Atarim
Claude's Connectors settings showing Atarim connected, with its tool permissions and a Disconnect button

The Browser Prompt You’ll See

After you add the Server URL to your assistant, expect one extra thing to happen the first time:

  1. Your assistant opens a browser tab pointing at Atarim.
  2. The page explains that your assistant will act as you, across every workspace and site you can access.
  3. Select Connect to authorize it — this is a standard, secure login step (OAuth), not an error.
  4. Close the tab. Your assistant is now connected.

This happens automatically as part of adding the URL in the steps below — you don’t need to go looking for it, just don’t be surprised when a browser window pops up mid-setup.

Choosing Your Setup Path

All three paths use the same Server URL — the difference is only in how you hand it to your assistant:

AssistantMethodWhere to look
Claude Code (CLI)One-line terminal commandTerminal
Claude DesktopPaste URL into Settings, or edit a config fileSettings → Connectors / MCP servers
CodexTerminal command, or edit the config file directlyTerminal, or Codex’s settings file
Other MCP-compatible toolsPaste URL into that tool’s own connector settingsLook for Connectors, Integrations, or MCP servers
Note
You only need to set this up in whichever assistant a given developer actually uses day to day — there’s no need to configure every tool.

Connecting Claude

Claude Code (command-line):

Add Atarim:

claude mcp add --scope user --transport http atarim https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp

Start Claude Code:

claude

Manage servers (typed inside Claude Code, not the terminal):

/mcp

List servers:

claude mcp list

Remove Atarim:

claude mcp remove atarim --scope user

Check it’s installed:

claude --version

Claude Code

Claude Code is configured from the terminal rather than a settings screen, and the server is added per project unless you say otherwise.

Instructions:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Run the following, using the Server URL copied from Atarim:claude mcp add --transport http atarim https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp
  3. To make Atarim available in every project rather than only the current one, include --scope user:claude mcp add --scope user --transport http atarim https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp
  4. Start a new Claude Code session.
  5. Enter /mcp to open the list of MCP servers.
  6. Select atarim, then choose Authenticate.
  7. Complete the approval step in the browser tab that opens.
  8. Return to the terminal. Atarim now shows as connected.
PowerShell running the Claude Code native installer
PowerShell showing the Claude Code native installer running.
PowerShell confirming Claude Code installed, with the version number shown
PowerShell confirming Claude Code was successfully installed
PowerShell listing PATH entries including the Claude Code install folder
PowerShell listing PATH entries, with the Claude Code install folder among them.
Terminal running claude mcp add and confirming the Atarim server was added
Terminal showing the claude mcp add command and confirmation that the Atarim server was added to the user config.
Claude Code first-run screen offering a choice of colour themes
Claude Code first-run screen offering a choice of colour themes.
Claude Code login screen offering subscription, Console account, or third-party sign-in
Claude Code login screen offering subscription, Console account, or third-party platform sign-in.
Claude Code showing a sign-in URL to open manually, with a prompt to paste the code back
Claude Code showing a sign-in URL to open manually, with a prompt to paste the resulting code.
Claude prompt reading Sign in again to continue, with a Sign in again button
Claude prompt reading “Sign in again to continue,” with a Sign in again button
Claude message stating a Max or Pro subscription is required to connect
Claude message stating that a Max or Pro subscription is required to connect to Claude Code.
Browser page authorising Claude Code to use your Claude account
Authorising Claude Code to use your Claude account. This is not the Atarim connection — that comes later.
Confirmation page reading You're all set up for Claude Code
Confirmation page reading “You’re all set up for Claude Code.”
Terminal showing Login successful with a prompt to press Enter to continue
Terminal showing “Login successful. Press Enter to continue”
Claude Code security notice about reviewing its actions before use
Claude Code security notice about reviewing its actions and only using it with trusted code.
Prompt confirming you trust the folder Claude Code is running in
Confirming you trust the folder Claude Code is running in
Claude Code warning that one MCP server needs authentication
Claude Code showing a warning that one MCP server needs authentication, with the /mcp command being typed
MCP server list showing atarim awaiting authentication
The MCP server list, showing atarim awaiting authentication
Authenticate option selected to connect Claude Code to Atarim
Select Authenticate to connect Claude Code to Atarim
Claude Code authenticating with Atarim, showing a fallback sign-in URL
Claude Code authenticating with Atarim, showing a fallback sign-in URL and instructions if the browser doesn’t open.
Atarim approval page headed Connect Claude to Atarim, listing what the connection allows
Atarim approval page headed “Connect Claude to Atarim,” showing what the connection allows and a Connect button
Confirmation page reading Authentication successful, you can close this tab
Confirmation page reading “Authentication successful. You can close this tab and return to Claude Code”
Claude Code terminal confirming authentication succeeded and Atarim is connected
Claude Code terminal confirming “Authentication successful. Connected to Atarim.”
Note
Adding the server isn’t the whole setup. Until you authenticate in step 6, Claude Code knows the server exists but can’t reach anything in Atarim.

Claude Desktop:

Atarim isn’t listed in Claude’s connector directory, so it’s added as a custom connector.

Instructions:

  1. In Atarim, copy the Server URL from Settings → Atarim MCP.
  2. In Claude, open Settings, then Connectors.
  3. Select Add, then Add custom connector.
  4. In the first field, enter a name: Atarim.
  5. In the second field, paste the Server URL: https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp
  6. Leave OAuth Client ID and OAuth Client Secret empty. Atarim handles this automatically.
  7. Select Add.
  8. Complete the approval step described above.
  9. Atarim now appears in your connector list, and its tools are available in conversations.

Connecting Codex

Codex uses the same Server URL, entered through its own command.

Instructions:

  1. Open a terminal.
  2. Run the command below, using your actual Server URL from the Atarim MCP settings page.
codex mcp add atarim --url https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp

If you prefer editing the settings file directly instead of using that command, add these lines to it:

[mcp_servers.atarim]
url = "https://api.atarim.io/v1/mcp"

Other MCP-compatible tools

MCP is an open standard, so the shape of this is the same anywhere: find the connector settings and paste the URL.

Instructions:

  1. Open that assistant’s own settings.
  2. Look for a Connectors, Integrations or MCP servers section. MCP is an open standard, so most AI coding assistants support this even without Atarim-specific instructions.
  3. Paste in the Server URL from Atarim.
  4. If asked for a connection type, choose remote or HTTP rather than a locally-run option — Atarim’s server is on the web, not on your computer.
  5. Complete the approval step.
VS Code Command Palette showing MCP commands with MCP Add Server available
VS Code Command Palette showing MCP commands, with MCP: Add Server available
VS Code Enter Server URL prompt with the Atarim MCP endpoint entered
VS Code Enter Server URL prompt with the Atarim MCP endpoint entered
VS Code prompt naming the server atarim
Naming the server “atarim” in VS Code
VS Code prompt to select the configuration target, offering Global or Workspace
VS Code prompt to select the configuration target, offering Global or Workspace
VS Code mcp.json showing the Atarim HTTP server, with a folder-trust dialog open
VS Code mcp.json showing the Atarim HTTP server, with a folder-trust dialog
VS Code prompting to authenticate to Atarim
VS Code asks to authenticate to Atarim.
Dialog asking whether to open the external Atarim authorisation website
Dialog asking whether to open the external Atarim authorisation website
Browser window opened to complete the authentication
Complete the authentication in the browser window that opens
Atarim approval page headed Connect your AI to Atarim, with a Connect button
Atarim approval page headed “Connect your AI to Atarim,” with a Connect button.
Sign-in successful confirmation after authentication completes
‘Sign-in successful’ confirmation after authentication completes, with a fallback link to return manually if the redirect doesn’t happen automatically.
VS Code editor showing an open mcp.json configuration file with an Atarim MCP entry
VS Code editor showing an open mcp.json configuration file with an Atarim MCP server URL, and the Command Palette listing MCP-related commands including ‘MCP: List Servers’

Once connected, the server identifies itself as Atarim, so that’s the name to look for in your assistant’s server list.

Confirming it worked

Worth doing properly — a connector that reports as connected can still be pointed at the wrong workspace.

Instructions:

  1. Check that your assistant lists Atarim as connected. In Claude Code, enter /mcp; in Codex, run codex mcp list.
  2. Ask a question that confirms both the connection and what it can reach:Which Atarim workspaces do I have access to?You should see the workspaces your Atarim account already has — and nothing else.
  3. Then try a real lookup:List the open tasks on [site name] in Atarim.
VS Code with the Atarim MCP server running and its chat listing the Atarim workspaces the account can access

If the assistant answers generally without naming real workspaces or tasks, it isn’t reaching Atarim. Check that it lists Atarim as connected, and that you completed the approval step rather than closing the browser tab early.

Tip
If nothing shows up right away, try starting a brand-new conversation with your assistant — sometimes a connection added mid-conversation doesn’t get picked up until the next one. The same fix applies if your assistant shows fewer Atarim tools than expected: reconnect or start a new session.

What your assistant can access

Nothing extra. A connected assistant can see and act on exactly what your own Atarim account can — no more. There’s no separate permissions screen to configure; the connection follows the access rules your account already has.

Each person connects with their own Atarim account, so everyone’s assistant is limited to their own access. If you want to limit what an assistant can reach, adjust what that person’s Atarim account can reach.

Anything that would normally need your approval stays gated. Your assistant can tell you a request needs a decision, but it can’t make that decision for you.

Working with WordPress sites

Reading and managing Atarim data works for any site in your account. Acting on a website itself — editing content, changing settings — requires the Atarim plugin installed and connected on that site.

Your assistant identifies a site by its Atarim record rather than its web address, so it will usually list your sites first to find the right one.

Some actions wait for your approval before anything happens: installing or activating a plugin; WordPress actions the site marks as destructive, such as updating or deleting a plugin, replacing a theme file or running WP-CLI; edits to published, private or scheduled pages; Do It on a published page; and any change to a connected rocket.net or InstaWP account. Your assistant pauses and asks you to approve or decline. A request nobody decides on within 14 days is declined automatically, and nothing runs. Reading, Atarim tasks and comments, Duda changes and Zapier actions run straight away.

Note
Backups come through the same bridge. There is no backup tool on the Atarim side. On a site running JetBackup, your assistant reaches that plugin’s own backup actions the way it reaches anything else on the site — reading which snapshots exist and starting a run. Starting a backup runs straight away. A restore waits for your approval, then gives you a recovery link. Nothing is overwritten until someone opens it. Only people who can edit the workspace get the link, and it lapses after 24 hours. Two things are worth knowing about a restore point: its readiness is tracked until it is actually ready to use, so a point that has only just been asked for is not yet cover; and a snapshot can be restored by name instead of by id. JetBackup also holds only one restore point per site, so arming a new one replaces the existing one. The Stack records which backup plugin a project is meant to use, but it does not take a backup itself. Explore the Atarim WordPress plugin.

Credits

Most actions over MCP are free in Atarim, because your assistant does the thinking. A few draw on your Atarim credits: AI design reviews, SEO research, image generation, and asking an Atarim AI expert to reply on a task.

Disconnecting

Disconnect from within your assistant:

  • Claude: Settings → Connectors, then remove the Atarim connector.
  • Claude Code: claude mcp remove atarim --scope user
  • Codex: remove the Atarim entry from your MCP server list or configuration file.

Removing the connector there ends that assistant’s access to Atarim.

FAQs

Can more than one person on my team connect their own assistant?

Yes. Anyone with an Atarim account can connect their own assistant, and the address is the same for everyone — each person adds it to their own assistant and signs in with their own Atarim account, so every connection is limited to that person’s own access. The rocket.net, InstaWP, Duda and Zapier tools are the exception: they need workspace owner or administrator rights, because one such connection covers the whole account on that platform.

Does this replace the WordPress plugin or the Chrome extension?

No. The plugin is what makes website actions possible — your assistant reaches a site through the Atarim plugin installed on it. Without the plugin, the connection still works for Atarim data such as tasks, comments and sites, but can’t act on the website itself. The Chrome extension is unrelated and unaffected.

What can my assistant actually see?

Only what you can. The connection acts as you, using your existing Atarim permissions. Connecting doesn’t grant new access to you or anyone else.

Can my assistant change things, or only read them?

It can make changes — creating and updating tasks, adding comments, and on plugin-connected sites, editing the site itself. Some actions pause for your approval first, including installing or activating a plugin and editing a published, private or scheduled page.

Conclusion

Setup takes a few minutes per developer: copy the Server URL, add it to their assistant, approve the one-time browser prompt, then confirm it actually works with a real question. Once that's done, it fades into the background — your developers just ask their assistant about a site or task, and it already knows, with every gated action still routing through your Approval Queue (Beta) exactly as before.

Tips & best practices

  • Set this up individually for each developer's own assistant rather than trying to share one setup across the team.
  • Always do the final "ask it something real" check — don't assume it's working just because it shows as connected.

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