Connect Claude to Outbox (remote connector or npx)

Once Claude is connected, publishing is one sentence: "publish this for the client". There are three ways to connect. The remote connector needs no install and signs you in through the browser. The local server runs with npx and an API key, for clients that only speak stdio, for scripts, or to create per-recipient links from the agent. And the skill teaches any compatible agent to publish, connecting with a link the first time.

Option 1: the remote connector (recommended to start)

Outbox runs a hosted MCP server at https://mcp.out-box.dev/mcp. It uses OAuth: the first time Claude connects, a browser window asks you to sign in to Outbox and approve what it can do (read, publish, delete). There's no API key to copy or store, and you can revoke access from Outbox at any time.

In claude.ai or Claude Desktop, open Settings → Connectors, choose Add custom connector, name it Outbox and paste the URL above. With the connector, Claude publishes and updates pages, reads what you've already published, checks versions and comments, and tells you who opened a page.

https://mcp.out-box.dev/mcp

Remote connector in Claude Code

Add it once from your terminal, then run /mcp inside Claude Code and pick Outbox to sign in through the browser.

claude mcp add --transport http outbox https://mcp.out-box.dev/mcp

Option 2: the local server with npx

The @out-box/mcp package runs the tools locally over stdio. Create an API key in Outbox under Settings → Keys and pass it as OUTBOX_API_KEY. Nothing is installed globally: npx downloads and runs it.

Current versions include the publishing, comments and share-link tools by default (OUTBOX_TOOLSETS=core,comments,sharing); OUTBOX_TOOLSETS=all adds folders, keys, teams and automations. For the agent to create share links, the key needs that permission: the Personal preset has it; the agent presets (publish-only, read-only, read+write) don't.

claude mcp add outbox --env OUTBOX_API_KEY=outbox_xxxxxxxx -- npx -y @out-box/mcp

Local server in Claude Desktop, Cursor or other clients

Clients configured with a JSON file use the same command. Keep the key out of shared repos.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "outbox": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@out-box/mcp"],
      "env": { "OUTBOX_API_KEY": "outbox_xxxxxxxx" }
    }
  }
}

Option 3: the skill

If your agent uses skills (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, OpenCode and others), install the Outbox skill. The agent understands requests like "publish this to my Outbox" and, the first time, gives you a link to connect your account in the browser.

npx skills add jonathanleiva15/out-box-skills

Check that it works

Ask Claude to publish a short test page to Outbox. It replies with the URL, and the page shows up in your library, private by default. From there you can ask it to update the page, list what you've published or show the versions.

To send it to someone, ask for a share link (with the local server or the skill) or create one in Library → What I share, with a passphrase and an expiry. Add a recipient and every open is recorded under their name, with an email to you when they open it.

Which one should I use?

	Remote connector	Local server (npx)	Skill
Install	None, just the URL	npx and an API key	npx skills add
Sign-in	OAuth in the browser	API key in the env	Browser link the first time
Create per-recipient links from the agent	Use the local server or the skill	Yes, with a key that can share	Yes
Key scoped to one folder	Not applicable	Yes	Not applicable
Best for	claude.ai and Claude Desktop	stdio clients, CI and scripts	Coding agents with skills

If something doesn't work

In Claude Code, /mcp shows whether Outbox is connected and lets you sign in again. A 403 error is almost always a permission the key doesn't have: a folder-scoped key can't publish outside its folder, and an agent key without share permission can't create links. The MCP tools return each error with a fix field that says what to do, and the agent can read it.

Comparisons

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a paid plan to connect Claude?

No. The connector, the MCP server, the skill and the API all work on the Free plan, which includes one agent key. Paid plans add publishing volume, storage and unlimited keys.

Can I revoke Claude's access?

Yes. Revoke the remote connector from Outbox, and revoke or rotate an API key under Settings → Keys.

Does it work with agents other than Claude?

Yes. Any MCP client, any agent with skills and any script that can make an HTTP call can publish to Outbox.

Related guides

Updated 2026-10-11.

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