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

# Hosted MCP

> Connect an MCP-compatible AI client to public Polaris catalog, snapshot, and download tools without installing software.

Connect an MCP-compatible AI client to Polaris at:

```text theme={null}
https://mcp.polaris.supply
```

The hosted server requires no local installation or API key. It provides anonymous access to public catalog metadata, standardized snapshot listings, and expiring download URLs.

<Info>
  The hosted MCP server does not provide authenticated datasets, raw venue files, or local file management. Use the [Polaris CLI](https://github.com/polaris-data/cli) or an [SDK](/quickstart) when you need those workflows.
</Info>

## Connect your client

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add the server URL">
    Open your AI client's MCP or connector settings and add `https://mcp.polaris.supply` as a remote HTTP server.

    Clients that use JSON configuration commonly accept an entry like this:

    ```json theme={null}
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "polaris": {
          "url": "https://mcp.polaris.supply"
        }
      }
    }
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the tools">
    Reconnect the client and confirm that it lists `get_catalog`, `list_snapshots`, and `get_public_download_urls`.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask for public data">
    Start with a request such as: `Find the exact Polaris market ID for Hyperliquid BTC, list its latest public snapshots, and return the public download URLs.`
  </Step>
</Steps>

You can also connect directly to `https://polaris.supply/mcp`. Both URLs serve the same stateless MCP endpoint.

## Discover the server

Clients can discover the hosted MCP server from the Polaris AI Catalog:

```text theme={null}
https://polaris.supply/.well-known/ai-catalog.json
```

The catalog points to the MCP Server Card at `https://mcp.polaris.supply/server-card`. The Server Card describes the server identity, supported protocol versions, and canonical Streamable HTTP endpoint before a client connects.

For compatibility with clients and automated discovery tools that probe `/.well-known/mcp.json`, Polaris serves the same Server Card at `https://polaris.supply/.well-known/mcp.json`. The AI Catalog and transport-relative Server Card remain the canonical discovery flow.

## Hosted MCP and WebMCP

Hosted MCP works from any compatible client after you add the server URL. It does not require an open Polaris browser tab.

The [Polaris homepage](https://polaris.supply) also exposes the same three public, read-only tools to browser-resident agents through WebMCP when the browser supports the current draft API. WebMCP requires the homepage to remain open and is treated as a progressive enhancement, so the site continues to work normally in browsers without it.

WebMCP does not expose sign-in, verification codes, API-key management, logout, clipboard access, authenticated datasets, or raw files.

## Available tools

| Tool                       | Use it to                                                                                     |
| -------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `get_catalog`              | Discover exact source and market IDs, coverage bounds, categories, and public access metadata |
| `list_snapshots`           | List public standardized hourly files for one source and market                               |
| `get_public_download_urls` | Get the daily manifest of expiring snapshot URLs for one UTC date                             |

`get_catalog` returns the complete matching API response. Add `source`, `market`, or `q` when possible because the unfiltered catalog is large.

`list_snapshots` supports `from`, `to`, `limit`, and `cursor`. When `has_more` is `true`, call the tool again with `next_cursor`.

`get_public_download_urls` returns URLs and metadata. Download the `.jsonl.zst` files outside the MCP conversation so compressed data does not enter model context. URLs expire after the interval reported by `expires_in_seconds`.

## Public access boundaries

The hosted server never reads or forwards an API key. The Polaris API evaluates every catalog, snapshot, and download request as an anonymous caller.

* `open` datasets are publicly accessible.
* `preview` datasets may expose only dates allowed by `public_cutoff_date`.
* `restricted` datasets require authenticated tooling.
* Venue-native raw snapshots are not available through hosted MCP.

If a requested date is gated, choose a public date or continue with the [authentication quickstart](/quickstart#add-an-api-key-when-you-need-it) and an SDK or CLI.

## Next steps

* Read [Catalog](/reference/catalog) for market discovery fields.
* Read [Snapshots](/reference/snapshots) for pagination and snapshot metadata.
* Read [Download](/reference/download) for manifest and file behavior.