---
title: "MCP agent protocol"
description: "MCP-first instructions for confirming Deck MCP is already connected."
url: "/docs/agents/prompts/mcp"
---

This page is the agent-readable protocol for Deck MCP. Humans can follow along. Coding agents should treat the protocol section as the source of truth and probe Deck MCP before sending anyone to signup.

# Deck MCP — agent protocol

Work MCP-first. Probe Deck MCP in this session before you send anyone to signup.

## 1. Probe MCP

Call a cheap Deck MCP tool (`get_user_context` or `get_overview`). This must be a real tool call.

### 401 Unauthorized

The human is not connected in this client. Tell them to Connect MCP here (Cursor, Claude, or ChatGPT). Do not open signup. Do not mint or ask for a `dk_` API key.

### No Deck tools available

Deck MCP is not installed. Fetch and follow the AI PM protocol at:

[https://docs.getdeck.io/docs/agents/prompts/ai-pm.md](https://docs.getdeck.io/docs/agents/prompts/ai-pm.md)

Do not invent another setup URL. Do not send them to signup from this prompt.

After they return, probe MCP again. If tools exist, continue below.

## 2. After MCP works

If tools work, they already have Deck MCP connected in this client. Confirm they are already connected and stop. Do not send them through signup. Never create `dk_` keys.

---

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