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Understanding MCP Tools

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets other AI clients call tools from Corbis.

That means you can use Corbis research and data tools inside products like Cursor, Claude Code, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible clients instead of staying only inside the Corbis web app.

Why People Use MCP

MCP is useful when you want to:

run Corbis tools from your editor or another AI interface
keep your research flow in one place
bring source-backed paper search and economic data into another client
avoid copying results back and forth by hand

Client setup

Claude

Add a custom connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and choose OAuth.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open Claude connector settings

ChatGPT

Create an app connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and complete OAuth. Corbis issues refresh tokens, so the connection renews on its own and does not need a daily reconnect.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open ChatGPT connector settings

Cursor

Add the JSON server entry below, then approve the browser sign-in Cursor opens — Cursor detects the Corbis OAuth server automatically. No API key is needed: Cursor may ignore static Authorization headers when OAuth discovery is available, so OAuth is the supported Cursor path.

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "corbis": {
      "url": "https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal"
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Run the command below after setting CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY in the shell that launches Claude Code.

claude mcp add --transport http corbis https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal --header "Authorization: Bearer ${CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY}"

MCP Tool Catalog

This catalog is generated from Corbis's canonical MCP registry. Access depends on your account and key configuration.

Tool	Name	Description	Category
search_papers	Search Papers	Hybrid academic paper search.	research
get_paper_details	Get Paper Details	Fetch full metadata for a single paper.	research
get_paper_details_batch	Get Paper Details Batch	Fetch full metadata for multiple papers in one call.	research
literature_search	Literature Search	Managed staged literature review and synthesis pipeline.	research
research_opportunity_map	Research Opportunity Map	Embedding-based candidate gap, bridge, and conflict mapper for research ideation.	research
literature_retrieve	Literature Retrieve	Retrieve paper candidates for local external-agent synthesis.	research
paper_discovery	Paper Discovery	Multi-facet paper discovery and deduped triage over the paper layer.	research
literature_positioning	Literature Positioning	Position a thesis against nearby paper-layer literature with verification-needed signals.	research
evidence_pack	Evidence Pack	Build paper-level evidence packs for claim-specific review.	research
claim_verification	Claim Verification	Premium paper-layer claim verification precheck with fail-closed sparse retrieval.	research
fred_search	FRED Search	Search FRED economic series metadata.	economic
fred_series_batch	FRED Series Batch	Fetch multiple FRED series in one call.	economic
get_market_data	Get Market Data	Get a CRE market snapshot.	market
get_metric_definitions	Get Metric Definitions	Return schema and definitions for CRE market metrics.	market
compare_markets	Compare Markets	Compare multiple CRE markets side by side.	market
search_markets	Search Markets	Rank or search markets by metric.	market
screen_markets	Screen Markets	Multi-factor CRE market screening.	market
get_national_macro	Get National Macro	Fetch national macroeconomic indicators.	market
get_market_trends	Get Market Trends	Fetch metro-level historical trend series.	market
get_cre_market	Get CRE Market	CRE market snapshot by property type with national benchmarks.	market
search_cre_markets	Search CRE Markets	Rank metros by a CRE metric within a property type.	market
get_cre_trend	Get CRE Trend	Annual CRE transaction trend for a metro.	market
search_cre_listings	Search CRE Listings	Live for-sale / for-lease CRE inventory.	market
get_cre_comps	Get CRE Comps	Individual securitized (CMBS) property comps.	market
get_cre_operating	Get CRE Operating Fundamentals	Same-store rent/NOI growth + occupancy by metro × sector (REIT supplementals).	market
get_reit_transaction_caps	Get REIT Transaction Caps	National by-sector REIT acquisition/disposition cap rates.	market
internet_search	Web Search	Managed web search with Corbis-side summary.	web
read_web_page	Read Web Page	Extract a web page for analysis.	web
web_search_retrieve	Web Search Retrieve	Retrieve web result cards for local external-agent synthesis.	web
web_pages_retrieve	Web Pages Retrieve	Retrieve bounded page extracts for local external-agent synthesis.	web
deep_research	Deep Research	Run a managed multi-engine web research synthesis pass.	web
export_citations	Export Citations	Format supplied citation metadata into export files for MCP clients.	citation
render_citations	Render Citations	Render corpus-verified citations from OpenAlex IDs, DOI IDs, chat citation sets, document snapshots, or run IDs.	citation
top_cited_articles	Top Cited Articles	Rank highly cited papers within journals.	research
format_citation	Format Citation	Format citations in multiple styles.	citation
search_datasets	Search Datasets	Discover relevant external datasets.	research
find_academic_identity	Find Research Identity	Search for the user research profile candidate.	identity
confirm_academic_identity	Confirm Research Identity	Link or unlink public research profile anchors.	identity
get_research_pulse	Get Research Pulse	Return the authenticated user research pulse for ResearchBar and MCP clients.	identity
get_data_freshness	Get Data Freshness	Aggregate data-through and last-refreshed signals for Corbis data sources.	market
retrieve_document	Retrieve Document	Retrieve an existing artifact document.	document
query_corbis	Query Corbis	Delegate a managed tool-grounded sub-query to Corbis.	workflow
query_corbis_retrieve	Query Corbis Retrieve	Retrieve compact Corbis evidence packets for local external-agent synthesis.	workflow
referee_report_evaluate	Evaluate Referee Report	Evaluate local external-agent referee report inputs and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
technical_audit_evaluate	Evaluate Technical Audit	Evaluate local external-agent technical audit findings and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
verify_bibtex	Verify BibTeX	Audit BibTeX reference lists for correctness and completeness.	citation

The Easiest Setup

For most users, the simplest setup is a personal MCP API key from Corbis.

Step 1: Create a key

In Corbis, open Settings → API Keys, create an MCP key, and copy it when it is shown.

Important:

copy the token when it is shown
tokens are only revealed once
revoke and replace a key if you think it has been exposed

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Use your Corbis origin (the same host you use in the browser for the app—not a marketing URL unless that is where the app actually runs). The MCP path you need is:

/api/mcp/universal

Build the full URL as: the same origin you use for the web app (scheme, host, and port if any) plus the path /api/mcp/universal.

Most clients connect with that URL plus your MCP key.

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Corbis already helps with the common cases:

Cursor: one-click install or downloadable JSON config
Claude Code: copyable CLI command
Other MCP clients: universal endpoint plus your key

If you are not sure which transport to use, prefer the streamable HTTP setup against /api/mcp/universal unless your client docs require something else.

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Personal MCP API keys — Created in Settings → API Keys. This is the default path for clients that let you set a custom header (Claude Code, Codex, and similar): send the key as an Authorization: Bearer … header.
OAuth — Used when the client signs you in and approves access in the web app. Cursor, and hosted assistant connectors such as ChatGPT and Claude, use this path: they take the MCP URL alone and run the sign-in flow themselves, so their config carries no key.

OAuth access tokens use the same Authorization: Bearer … header style after you complete the client's login flow.

Security: Credentials in the URL query string (?apikey= / ?token=) are rejected in production — they leak through logs, referrers, and shared links. They work only against a local development server. Always use a Bearer header or OAuth.

OAuth scope and consent details for implementers are documented in lib/mcp/OAUTH2_IMPLEMENTATION.md in the repository (not required reading for basic API-key setup).

Advanced / other surfaces

Prefer /api/mcp/universal for new setups. Other routes exist for compatibility and discovery:

/api/mcp/sse and /api/mcp/message — Legacy SSE transport pair for clients that need a dedicated SSE URL instead of streamable HTTP on the universal route.
/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource, /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server, /.well-known/openid-configuration — OAuth / OpenID discovery metadata for clients that probe well-known URLs.
/api/mcp/oauth/register, /api/mcp/oauth/authorize, /api/mcp/oauth/token — Dynamic registration, authorization, and token exchange for supported OAuth integrations.

This section names routes only; it is not a full OAuth tutorial.

Practical Tips

Create separate keys for separate devices or clients.
Name keys clearly so you can revoke the right one later.
Treat MCP keys like passwords.
If a tool seems missing, check your plan and the key configuration first.
If a client offers both modern HTTP MCP and older SSE-based options, prefer HTTP on /api/mcp/universal unless you know you need the legacy path.

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Tool access depends on your account entitlements and key configuration. The safest answer is to check your current plan and limits in Corbis.

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Yes. That is one of the main MCP use cases.

Can I connect more than one client?

Yes. Many users create separate keys for different clients so they can revoke them independently.

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Start in Settings → API Keys and make sure you are using the right endpoint and token. If that still fails, contact support.

Understanding MCP Tools

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets other AI clients call tools from Corbis.

Why People Use MCP

MCP is useful when you want to:

run Corbis tools from your editor or another AI interface
keep your research flow in one place
bring source-backed paper search and economic data into another client
avoid copying results back and forth by hand

Client setup

Claude

Add a custom connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and choose OAuth.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open Claude connector settings

ChatGPT

Create an app connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and complete OAuth. Corbis issues refresh tokens, so the connection renews on its own and does not need a daily reconnect.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open ChatGPT connector settings

Cursor

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "corbis": {
      "url": "https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal"
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Run the command below after setting CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY in the shell that launches Claude Code.

claude mcp add --transport http corbis https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal --header "Authorization: Bearer ${CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY}"

MCP Tool Catalog

This catalog is generated from Corbis's canonical MCP registry. Access depends on your account and key configuration.

Tool	Name	Description	Category
search_papers	Search Papers	Hybrid academic paper search.	research
get_paper_details	Get Paper Details	Fetch full metadata for a single paper.	research
get_paper_details_batch	Get Paper Details Batch	Fetch full metadata for multiple papers in one call.	research
literature_search	Literature Search	Managed staged literature review and synthesis pipeline.	research
research_opportunity_map	Research Opportunity Map	Embedding-based candidate gap, bridge, and conflict mapper for research ideation.	research
literature_retrieve	Literature Retrieve	Retrieve paper candidates for local external-agent synthesis.	research
paper_discovery	Paper Discovery	Multi-facet paper discovery and deduped triage over the paper layer.	research
literature_positioning	Literature Positioning	Position a thesis against nearby paper-layer literature with verification-needed signals.	research
evidence_pack	Evidence Pack	Build paper-level evidence packs for claim-specific review.	research
claim_verification	Claim Verification	Premium paper-layer claim verification precheck with fail-closed sparse retrieval.	research
fred_search	FRED Search	Search FRED economic series metadata.	economic
fred_series_batch	FRED Series Batch	Fetch multiple FRED series in one call.	economic
get_market_data	Get Market Data	Get a CRE market snapshot.	market
get_metric_definitions	Get Metric Definitions	Return schema and definitions for CRE market metrics.	market
compare_markets	Compare Markets	Compare multiple CRE markets side by side.	market
search_markets	Search Markets	Rank or search markets by metric.	market
screen_markets	Screen Markets	Multi-factor CRE market screening.	market
get_national_macro	Get National Macro	Fetch national macroeconomic indicators.	market
get_market_trends	Get Market Trends	Fetch metro-level historical trend series.	market
get_cre_market	Get CRE Market	CRE market snapshot by property type with national benchmarks.	market
search_cre_markets	Search CRE Markets	Rank metros by a CRE metric within a property type.	market
get_cre_trend	Get CRE Trend	Annual CRE transaction trend for a metro.	market
search_cre_listings	Search CRE Listings	Live for-sale / for-lease CRE inventory.	market
get_cre_comps	Get CRE Comps	Individual securitized (CMBS) property comps.	market
get_cre_operating	Get CRE Operating Fundamentals	Same-store rent/NOI growth + occupancy by metro × sector (REIT supplementals).	market
get_reit_transaction_caps	Get REIT Transaction Caps	National by-sector REIT acquisition/disposition cap rates.	market
internet_search	Web Search	Managed web search with Corbis-side summary.	web
read_web_page	Read Web Page	Extract a web page for analysis.	web
web_search_retrieve	Web Search Retrieve	Retrieve web result cards for local external-agent synthesis.	web
web_pages_retrieve	Web Pages Retrieve	Retrieve bounded page extracts for local external-agent synthesis.	web
deep_research	Deep Research	Run a managed multi-engine web research synthesis pass.	web
export_citations	Export Citations	Format supplied citation metadata into export files for MCP clients.	citation
render_citations	Render Citations	Render corpus-verified citations from OpenAlex IDs, DOI IDs, chat citation sets, document snapshots, or run IDs.	citation
top_cited_articles	Top Cited Articles	Rank highly cited papers within journals.	research
format_citation	Format Citation	Format citations in multiple styles.	citation
search_datasets	Search Datasets	Discover relevant external datasets.	research
find_academic_identity	Find Research Identity	Search for the user research profile candidate.	identity
confirm_academic_identity	Confirm Research Identity	Link or unlink public research profile anchors.	identity
get_research_pulse	Get Research Pulse	Return the authenticated user research pulse for ResearchBar and MCP clients.	identity
get_data_freshness	Get Data Freshness	Aggregate data-through and last-refreshed signals for Corbis data sources.	market
retrieve_document	Retrieve Document	Retrieve an existing artifact document.	document
query_corbis	Query Corbis	Delegate a managed tool-grounded sub-query to Corbis.	workflow
query_corbis_retrieve	Query Corbis Retrieve	Retrieve compact Corbis evidence packets for local external-agent synthesis.	workflow
referee_report_evaluate	Evaluate Referee Report	Evaluate local external-agent referee report inputs and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
technical_audit_evaluate	Evaluate Technical Audit	Evaluate local external-agent technical audit findings and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
verify_bibtex	Verify BibTeX	Audit BibTeX reference lists for correctness and completeness.	citation

The Easiest Setup

For most users, the simplest setup is a personal MCP API key from Corbis.

Step 1: Create a key

In Corbis, open Settings → API Keys, create an MCP key, and copy it when it is shown.

Important:

copy the token when it is shown
tokens are only revealed once
revoke and replace a key if you think it has been exposed

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Use your Corbis origin (the same host you use in the browser for the app—not a marketing URL unless that is where the app actually runs). The MCP path you need is:

/api/mcp/universal

Build the full URL as: the same origin you use for the web app (scheme, host, and port if any) plus the path /api/mcp/universal.

Most clients connect with that URL plus your MCP key.

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Corbis already helps with the common cases:

Cursor: one-click install or downloadable JSON config
Claude Code: copyable CLI command
Other MCP clients: universal endpoint plus your key

If you are not sure which transport to use, prefer the streamable HTTP setup against /api/mcp/universal unless your client docs require something else.

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Personal MCP API keys — Created in Settings → API Keys. This is the default path for clients that let you set a custom header (Claude Code, Codex, and similar): send the key as an Authorization: Bearer … header.
OAuth — Used when the client signs you in and approves access in the web app. Cursor, and hosted assistant connectors such as ChatGPT and Claude, use this path: they take the MCP URL alone and run the sign-in flow themselves, so their config carries no key.

OAuth access tokens use the same Authorization: Bearer … header style after you complete the client's login flow.

OAuth scope and consent details for implementers are documented in lib/mcp/OAUTH2_IMPLEMENTATION.md in the repository (not required reading for basic API-key setup).

Advanced / other surfaces

Prefer /api/mcp/universal for new setups. Other routes exist for compatibility and discovery:

/api/mcp/sse and /api/mcp/message — Legacy SSE transport pair for clients that need a dedicated SSE URL instead of streamable HTTP on the universal route.
/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource, /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server, /.well-known/openid-configuration — OAuth / OpenID discovery metadata for clients that probe well-known URLs.
/api/mcp/oauth/register, /api/mcp/oauth/authorize, /api/mcp/oauth/token — Dynamic registration, authorization, and token exchange for supported OAuth integrations.

This section names routes only; it is not a full OAuth tutorial.

Practical Tips

Create separate keys for separate devices or clients.
Name keys clearly so you can revoke the right one later.
Treat MCP keys like passwords.
If a tool seems missing, check your plan and the key configuration first.
If a client offers both modern HTTP MCP and older SSE-based options, prefer HTTP on /api/mcp/universal unless you know you need the legacy path.

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Tool access depends on your account entitlements and key configuration. The safest answer is to check your current plan and limits in Corbis.

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Yes. That is one of the main MCP use cases.

Can I connect more than one client?

Yes. Many users create separate keys for different clients so they can revoke them independently.

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Start in Settings → API Keys and make sure you are using the right endpoint and token. If that still fails, contact support.

Understanding MCP Tools

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets other AI clients call tools from Corbis.

Why People Use MCP

MCP is useful when you want to:

run Corbis tools from your editor or another AI interface
keep your research flow in one place
bring source-backed paper search and economic data into another client
avoid copying results back and forth by hand

Client setup

Claude

Add a custom connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and choose OAuth.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open Claude connector settings

ChatGPT

Create an app connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and complete OAuth. Corbis issues refresh tokens, so the connection renews on its own and does not need a daily reconnect.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open ChatGPT connector settings

Cursor

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "corbis": {
      "url": "https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal"
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Run the command below after setting CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY in the shell that launches Claude Code.

claude mcp add --transport http corbis https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal --header "Authorization: Bearer ${CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY}"

MCP Tool Catalog

This catalog is generated from Corbis's canonical MCP registry. Access depends on your account and key configuration.

Tool	Name	Description	Category
search_papers	Search Papers	Hybrid academic paper search.	research
get_paper_details	Get Paper Details	Fetch full metadata for a single paper.	research
get_paper_details_batch	Get Paper Details Batch	Fetch full metadata for multiple papers in one call.	research
literature_search	Literature Search	Managed staged literature review and synthesis pipeline.	research
research_opportunity_map	Research Opportunity Map	Embedding-based candidate gap, bridge, and conflict mapper for research ideation.	research
literature_retrieve	Literature Retrieve	Retrieve paper candidates for local external-agent synthesis.	research
paper_discovery	Paper Discovery	Multi-facet paper discovery and deduped triage over the paper layer.	research
literature_positioning	Literature Positioning	Position a thesis against nearby paper-layer literature with verification-needed signals.	research
evidence_pack	Evidence Pack	Build paper-level evidence packs for claim-specific review.	research
claim_verification	Claim Verification	Premium paper-layer claim verification precheck with fail-closed sparse retrieval.	research
fred_search	FRED Search	Search FRED economic series metadata.	economic
fred_series_batch	FRED Series Batch	Fetch multiple FRED series in one call.	economic
get_market_data	Get Market Data	Get a CRE market snapshot.	market
get_metric_definitions	Get Metric Definitions	Return schema and definitions for CRE market metrics.	market
compare_markets	Compare Markets	Compare multiple CRE markets side by side.	market
search_markets	Search Markets	Rank or search markets by metric.	market
screen_markets	Screen Markets	Multi-factor CRE market screening.	market
get_national_macro	Get National Macro	Fetch national macroeconomic indicators.	market
get_market_trends	Get Market Trends	Fetch metro-level historical trend series.	market
get_cre_market	Get CRE Market	CRE market snapshot by property type with national benchmarks.	market
search_cre_markets	Search CRE Markets	Rank metros by a CRE metric within a property type.	market
get_cre_trend	Get CRE Trend	Annual CRE transaction trend for a metro.	market
search_cre_listings	Search CRE Listings	Live for-sale / for-lease CRE inventory.	market
get_cre_comps	Get CRE Comps	Individual securitized (CMBS) property comps.	market
get_cre_operating	Get CRE Operating Fundamentals	Same-store rent/NOI growth + occupancy by metro × sector (REIT supplementals).	market
get_reit_transaction_caps	Get REIT Transaction Caps	National by-sector REIT acquisition/disposition cap rates.	market
internet_search	Web Search	Managed web search with Corbis-side summary.	web
read_web_page	Read Web Page	Extract a web page for analysis.	web
web_search_retrieve	Web Search Retrieve	Retrieve web result cards for local external-agent synthesis.	web
web_pages_retrieve	Web Pages Retrieve	Retrieve bounded page extracts for local external-agent synthesis.	web
deep_research	Deep Research	Run a managed multi-engine web research synthesis pass.	web
export_citations	Export Citations	Format supplied citation metadata into export files for MCP clients.	citation
render_citations	Render Citations	Render corpus-verified citations from OpenAlex IDs, DOI IDs, chat citation sets, document snapshots, or run IDs.	citation
top_cited_articles	Top Cited Articles	Rank highly cited papers within journals.	research
format_citation	Format Citation	Format citations in multiple styles.	citation
search_datasets	Search Datasets	Discover relevant external datasets.	research
find_academic_identity	Find Research Identity	Search for the user research profile candidate.	identity
confirm_academic_identity	Confirm Research Identity	Link or unlink public research profile anchors.	identity
get_research_pulse	Get Research Pulse	Return the authenticated user research pulse for ResearchBar and MCP clients.	identity
get_data_freshness	Get Data Freshness	Aggregate data-through and last-refreshed signals for Corbis data sources.	market
retrieve_document	Retrieve Document	Retrieve an existing artifact document.	document
query_corbis	Query Corbis	Delegate a managed tool-grounded sub-query to Corbis.	workflow
query_corbis_retrieve	Query Corbis Retrieve	Retrieve compact Corbis evidence packets for local external-agent synthesis.	workflow
referee_report_evaluate	Evaluate Referee Report	Evaluate local external-agent referee report inputs and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
technical_audit_evaluate	Evaluate Technical Audit	Evaluate local external-agent technical audit findings and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
verify_bibtex	Verify BibTeX	Audit BibTeX reference lists for correctness and completeness.	citation

The Easiest Setup

For most users, the simplest setup is a personal MCP API key from Corbis.

Step 1: Create a key

In Corbis, open Settings → API Keys, create an MCP key, and copy it when it is shown.

Important:

copy the token when it is shown
tokens are only revealed once
revoke and replace a key if you think it has been exposed

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Use your Corbis origin (the same host you use in the browser for the app—not a marketing URL unless that is where the app actually runs). The MCP path you need is:

/api/mcp/universal

Build the full URL as: the same origin you use for the web app (scheme, host, and port if any) plus the path /api/mcp/universal.

Most clients connect with that URL plus your MCP key.

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Corbis already helps with the common cases:

Cursor: one-click install or downloadable JSON config
Claude Code: copyable CLI command
Other MCP clients: universal endpoint plus your key

If you are not sure which transport to use, prefer the streamable HTTP setup against /api/mcp/universal unless your client docs require something else.

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Personal MCP API keys — Created in Settings → API Keys. This is the default path for clients that let you set a custom header (Claude Code, Codex, and similar): send the key as an Authorization: Bearer … header.
OAuth — Used when the client signs you in and approves access in the web app. Cursor, and hosted assistant connectors such as ChatGPT and Claude, use this path: they take the MCP URL alone and run the sign-in flow themselves, so their config carries no key.

OAuth access tokens use the same Authorization: Bearer … header style after you complete the client's login flow.

OAuth scope and consent details for implementers are documented in lib/mcp/OAUTH2_IMPLEMENTATION.md in the repository (not required reading for basic API-key setup).

Advanced / other surfaces

Prefer /api/mcp/universal for new setups. Other routes exist for compatibility and discovery:

/api/mcp/sse and /api/mcp/message — Legacy SSE transport pair for clients that need a dedicated SSE URL instead of streamable HTTP on the universal route.
/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource, /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server, /.well-known/openid-configuration — OAuth / OpenID discovery metadata for clients that probe well-known URLs.
/api/mcp/oauth/register, /api/mcp/oauth/authorize, /api/mcp/oauth/token — Dynamic registration, authorization, and token exchange for supported OAuth integrations.

This section names routes only; it is not a full OAuth tutorial.

Practical Tips

Create separate keys for separate devices or clients.
Name keys clearly so you can revoke the right one later.
Treat MCP keys like passwords.
If a tool seems missing, check your plan and the key configuration first.
If a client offers both modern HTTP MCP and older SSE-based options, prefer HTTP on /api/mcp/universal unless you know you need the legacy path.

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Tool access depends on your account entitlements and key configuration. The safest answer is to check your current plan and limits in Corbis.

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Yes. That is one of the main MCP use cases.

Can I connect more than one client?

Yes. Many users create separate keys for different clients so they can revoke them independently.

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Start in Settings → API Keys and make sure you are using the right endpoint and token. If that still fails, contact support.

Understanding MCP Tools

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) lets other AI clients call tools from Corbis.

Why People Use MCP

MCP is useful when you want to:

run Corbis tools from your editor or another AI interface
keep your research flow in one place
bring source-backed paper search and economic data into another client
avoid copying results back and forth by hand

Client setup

Claude

Add a custom connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and choose OAuth.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open Claude connector settings

ChatGPT

Create an app connector named Corbis, use the universal URL, and complete OAuth. Corbis issues refresh tokens, so the connection renews on its own and does not need a daily reconnect.

https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal

Open ChatGPT connector settings

Cursor

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "corbis": {
      "url": "https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal"
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

Run the command below after setting CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY in the shell that launches Claude Code.

claude mcp add --transport http corbis https://www.corbis.ai/api/mcp/universal --header "Authorization: Bearer ${CORBIS_MCP_API_KEY}"

MCP Tool Catalog

This catalog is generated from Corbis's canonical MCP registry. Access depends on your account and key configuration.

Tool	Name	Description	Category
search_papers	Search Papers	Hybrid academic paper search.	research
get_paper_details	Get Paper Details	Fetch full metadata for a single paper.	research
get_paper_details_batch	Get Paper Details Batch	Fetch full metadata for multiple papers in one call.	research
literature_search	Literature Search	Managed staged literature review and synthesis pipeline.	research
research_opportunity_map	Research Opportunity Map	Embedding-based candidate gap, bridge, and conflict mapper for research ideation.	research
literature_retrieve	Literature Retrieve	Retrieve paper candidates for local external-agent synthesis.	research
paper_discovery	Paper Discovery	Multi-facet paper discovery and deduped triage over the paper layer.	research
literature_positioning	Literature Positioning	Position a thesis against nearby paper-layer literature with verification-needed signals.	research
evidence_pack	Evidence Pack	Build paper-level evidence packs for claim-specific review.	research
claim_verification	Claim Verification	Premium paper-layer claim verification precheck with fail-closed sparse retrieval.	research
fred_search	FRED Search	Search FRED economic series metadata.	economic
fred_series_batch	FRED Series Batch	Fetch multiple FRED series in one call.	economic
get_market_data	Get Market Data	Get a CRE market snapshot.	market
get_metric_definitions	Get Metric Definitions	Return schema and definitions for CRE market metrics.	market
compare_markets	Compare Markets	Compare multiple CRE markets side by side.	market
search_markets	Search Markets	Rank or search markets by metric.	market
screen_markets	Screen Markets	Multi-factor CRE market screening.	market
get_national_macro	Get National Macro	Fetch national macroeconomic indicators.	market
get_market_trends	Get Market Trends	Fetch metro-level historical trend series.	market
get_cre_market	Get CRE Market	CRE market snapshot by property type with national benchmarks.	market
search_cre_markets	Search CRE Markets	Rank metros by a CRE metric within a property type.	market
get_cre_trend	Get CRE Trend	Annual CRE transaction trend for a metro.	market
search_cre_listings	Search CRE Listings	Live for-sale / for-lease CRE inventory.	market
get_cre_comps	Get CRE Comps	Individual securitized (CMBS) property comps.	market
get_cre_operating	Get CRE Operating Fundamentals	Same-store rent/NOI growth + occupancy by metro × sector (REIT supplementals).	market
get_reit_transaction_caps	Get REIT Transaction Caps	National by-sector REIT acquisition/disposition cap rates.	market
internet_search	Web Search	Managed web search with Corbis-side summary.	web
read_web_page	Read Web Page	Extract a web page for analysis.	web
web_search_retrieve	Web Search Retrieve	Retrieve web result cards for local external-agent synthesis.	web
web_pages_retrieve	Web Pages Retrieve	Retrieve bounded page extracts for local external-agent synthesis.	web
deep_research	Deep Research	Run a managed multi-engine web research synthesis pass.	web
export_citations	Export Citations	Format supplied citation metadata into export files for MCP clients.	citation
render_citations	Render Citations	Render corpus-verified citations from OpenAlex IDs, DOI IDs, chat citation sets, document snapshots, or run IDs.	citation
top_cited_articles	Top Cited Articles	Rank highly cited papers within journals.	research
format_citation	Format Citation	Format citations in multiple styles.	citation
search_datasets	Search Datasets	Discover relevant external datasets.	research
find_academic_identity	Find Research Identity	Search for the user research profile candidate.	identity
confirm_academic_identity	Confirm Research Identity	Link or unlink public research profile anchors.	identity
get_research_pulse	Get Research Pulse	Return the authenticated user research pulse for ResearchBar and MCP clients.	identity
get_data_freshness	Get Data Freshness	Aggregate data-through and last-refreshed signals for Corbis data sources.	market
retrieve_document	Retrieve Document	Retrieve an existing artifact document.	document
query_corbis	Query Corbis	Delegate a managed tool-grounded sub-query to Corbis.	workflow
query_corbis_retrieve	Query Corbis Retrieve	Retrieve compact Corbis evidence packets for local external-agent synthesis.	workflow
referee_report_evaluate	Evaluate Referee Report	Evaluate local external-agent referee report inputs and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
technical_audit_evaluate	Evaluate Technical Audit	Evaluate local external-agent technical audit findings and return a calibrated deliverable.	workflow
verify_bibtex	Verify BibTeX	Audit BibTeX reference lists for correctness and completeness.	citation

The Easiest Setup

For most users, the simplest setup is a personal MCP API key from Corbis.

Step 1: Create a key

In Corbis, open Settings → API Keys, create an MCP key, and copy it when it is shown.

Important:

copy the token when it is shown
tokens are only revealed once
revoke and replace a key if you think it has been exposed

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Use your Corbis origin (the same host you use in the browser for the app—not a marketing URL unless that is where the app actually runs). The MCP path you need is:

/api/mcp/universal

Build the full URL as: the same origin you use for the web app (scheme, host, and port if any) plus the path /api/mcp/universal.

Most clients connect with that URL plus your MCP key.

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Corbis already helps with the common cases:

Cursor: one-click install or downloadable JSON config
Claude Code: copyable CLI command
Other MCP clients: universal endpoint plus your key

If you are not sure which transport to use, prefer the streamable HTTP setup against /api/mcp/universal unless your client docs require something else.

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Personal MCP API keys — Created in Settings → API Keys. This is the default path for clients that let you set a custom header (Claude Code, Codex, and similar): send the key as an Authorization: Bearer … header.
OAuth — Used when the client signs you in and approves access in the web app. Cursor, and hosted assistant connectors such as ChatGPT and Claude, use this path: they take the MCP URL alone and run the sign-in flow themselves, so their config carries no key.

OAuth access tokens use the same Authorization: Bearer … header style after you complete the client's login flow.

OAuth scope and consent details for implementers are documented in lib/mcp/OAUTH2_IMPLEMENTATION.md in the repository (not required reading for basic API-key setup).

Advanced / other surfaces

Prefer /api/mcp/universal for new setups. Other routes exist for compatibility and discovery:

/api/mcp/sse and /api/mcp/message — Legacy SSE transport pair for clients that need a dedicated SSE URL instead of streamable HTTP on the universal route.
/.well-known/oauth-protected-resource, /.well-known/oauth-authorization-server, /.well-known/openid-configuration — OAuth / OpenID discovery metadata for clients that probe well-known URLs.
/api/mcp/oauth/register, /api/mcp/oauth/authorize, /api/mcp/oauth/token — Dynamic registration, authorization, and token exchange for supported OAuth integrations.

This section names routes only; it is not a full OAuth tutorial.

Practical Tips

Create separate keys for separate devices or clients.
Name keys clearly so you can revoke the right one later.
Treat MCP keys like passwords.
If a tool seems missing, check your plan and the key configuration first.
If a client offers both modern HTTP MCP and older SSE-based options, prefer HTTP on /api/mcp/universal unless you know you need the legacy path.

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Tool access depends on your account entitlements and key configuration. The safest answer is to check your current plan and limits in Corbis.

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Yes. That is one of the main MCP use cases.

Can I connect more than one client?

Yes. Many users create separate keys for different clients so they can revoke them independently.

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Start in Settings → API Keys and make sure you are using the right endpoint and token. If that still fails, contact support.

Understanding MCP Tools

Why People Use MCP

Client setup

Claude

ChatGPT

Cursor

Claude Code

MCP Tool Catalog

The Easiest Setup

Step 1: Create a key

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Advanced / other surfaces

Practical Tips

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Can I connect more than one client?

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Further reading (repository)

Related Guides

Understanding MCP Tools

Why People Use MCP

Client setup

Claude

ChatGPT

Cursor

Claude Code

MCP Tool Catalog

The Easiest Setup

Step 1: Create a key

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Advanced / other surfaces

Practical Tips

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Can I connect more than one client?

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Further reading (repository)

Related Guides

Understanding MCP Tools

Why People Use MCP

Client setup

Claude

ChatGPT

Cursor

Claude Code

MCP Tool Catalog

The Easiest Setup

Step 1: Create a key

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Advanced / other surfaces

Practical Tips

Common Questions

Do I need a paid plan to use MCP?

Can I use Corbis from my editor?

Can I connect more than one client?

Where do I get help if the connection fails?

Further reading (repository)

Related Guides

Understanding MCP Tools

Why People Use MCP

Client setup

Claude

ChatGPT

Cursor

Claude Code

MCP Tool Catalog

The Easiest Setup

Step 1: Create a key

Step 2: Point your client at the universal endpoint

Step 3: Use the connection method your client expects

Authentication (API key vs OAuth)

Advanced / other surfaces