> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://noorle.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connectors Overview

> Connect to external APIs, MCP services, and custom servers. Manage authentication and expose them as tools.

Connectors integrate external APIs and services as tools in your agents and gateways. Three types: REST, MCP Registry, and Custom MCP.

## What is a Connector?

A Connector is a bridge to an external service that:

* Exposes service functionality as tools
* Handles authentication securely
* Maps request/response formats
* Manages credentials and secrets

Think of it as a reusable integration to any external service.

## Three Connector Types

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="REST" href="./rest-connectors">
    HTTP API endpoints

    **Best for:** Public/private APIs, webhooks
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP Registry" href="./mcp-registry">
    Services from mcp.run

    **Best for:** Pre-built MCP tools
  </Card>

  <Card title="Custom MCP" href="./custom-mcp">
    Your own MCP server

    **Best for:** Custom implementations
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Connectors vs Other Options

| Option             | Setup         | Use Case          |
| ------------------ | ------------- | ----------------- |
| **REST Connector** | Manual config | Custom APIs       |
| **MCP Registry**   | Guided setup  | Pre-built tools   |
| **Custom MCP**     | Your server   | Full control      |
| **Plugin**         | WASM upload   | Complex logic     |
| **Built-in**       | Attach        | Core capabilities |

## Creating a Connector

### Basic Flow

1. **Choose Type** - REST, MCP Registry, or Custom
2. **Configure** - Provide endpoints, parameters
3. **Authenticate** - Set up credentials
4. **Test** - Verify connection works
5. **Attach** - Add to agent or gateway

### For REST Connector

1. **Connectors** > **Create Connector**
2. Choose **REST API**
3. Enter base URL
4. Define operations (tools)
5. Configure authentication
6. Test and save

### For MCP Registry

1. **Connectors** > **Create Connector**
2. Choose **MCP Registry**
3. Search and select service (e.g., "Airtable")
4. Configure environment variables
5. Authorize via OAuth if needed
6. Save

### For Custom MCP

1. **Connectors** > **Create Connector**
2. Choose **Custom MCP**
3. Provide server URL/transport
4. Configure environment
5. Authenticate
6. Save

## Attaching Connectors

### To an Agent

1. **Agents** > Select Agent > **Settings** > **Capabilities**
2. Click **Attach Capability**
3. Select **Connectors**
4. Choose your connector
5. **Save**

### To an MCP Gateway

1. **Gateways** > Select Gateway > **Capabilities**
2. Click **Attach Capability**
3. Select **Connectors**
4. Choose your connector
5. **Save**

## Authentication Methods

Connectors support multiple auth patterns:

* **No Auth** - Public endpoints
* **Bearer Token** - API key in Authorization header
* **OAuth 2.0** - Dynamic client registration
* **API Key** - Custom header or parameter
* **Basic Auth** - Username:password
* **Custom Headers** - Any headers needed

All credentials encrypted at rest (AES-256-GCM).

## Cost

For current pricing details, see [Pricing](https://noorle.com/pricing/).

Costs vary by connector type and usage patterns. Monitor in **Account** > **Usage** dashboard.

## Connector Limits

| Limit                         | Value                      |
| ----------------------------- | -------------------------- |
| Connectors per account        | 500                        |
| Operations per REST connector | 100                        |
| Rate limit                    | Per-connector configurable |
| Auth methods                  | 5 per connector            |

## Per-Type Documentation

Detailed guides for each connector type:

* **[REST Connectors](/docs/run/connectors/rest-connectors)** - Build custom APIs
* **[OpenAPI Import](/docs/run/connectors/openapi-import)** - Auto-generate from spec
* **[MCP Registry](/docs/run/connectors/mcp-registry)** - Connect pre-built services
* **[Custom MCP](/docs/run/connectors/custom-mcp)** - Use your own MCP server
* **[Authentication](/docs/run/connectors/authentication)** - Handle credentials
* **[Parameter Mapping](/docs/run/connectors/parameter-mapping)** - Map inputs to HTTP

## Common Connectors

### Popular REST APIs

* Stripe (Payments)
* GitHub (Code repos)
* Slack (Messaging)
* Twitter (Social)
* OpenWeather (Weather data)

### Popular MCP Services

* Airtable (Spreadsheets)
* Notion (Notes/databases)
* Linear (Issues/projects)
* Salesforce (CRM)

## Quick Recipes

### Stripe Payment Gateway

```
1. Create REST Connector
2. Base URL: https://api.stripe.com/v1
3. Auth: Bearer {sk_live_...}
4. Define: POST /charges
5. Attach to agent
```

### GitHub Repository Access

```
1. Create REST Connector
2. Base URL: https://api.github.com
3. Auth: Bearer {github_token}
4. Define: GET /repos/{owner}/{repo}
5. Attach to agent
```

### Airtable Spreadsheet

```
1. Create MCP Registry Connector
2. Select "Airtable"
3. Enter API key
4. Grant permissions
5. Attach to agent
```

## Security

### Credential Protection

* All credentials encrypted at rest (AES-256-GCM)
* Never logged or exposed in UI (last 6 chars only)
* Rotated regularly
* Can be revoked instantly

### Access Control

* Restrict connector per agent/gateway
* Audit all connector access
* Monitor for unusual activity
* Disable untrusted connectors

## Troubleshooting

### "Connection Failed"

* Verify endpoint URL is correct
* Check authentication credentials
* Ensure service is online
* Try different endpoint (if multiple available)

### "Authentication Error"

* Check API key/token format
* Verify key hasn't expired
* Confirm key has required permissions
* Re-authorize OAuth if needed

### "Operation Not Found"

* Verify operation name matches definition
* Check MCP service supports operation
* Confirm correct connector attached

## Next Steps

* [Build REST Connector](/docs/run/connectors/rest-connectors)
* [Import OpenAPI Spec](/docs/run/connectors/openapi-import)
* [Connect MCP Service](/docs/run/connectors/mcp-registry)
* [Attach to Agent](/docs/run/agents/attaching-capabilities)