# Don't have an agent yet? Start here.

An agent is an AI assistant that can do things, not only talk. Noden is one of its tools: it lets your assistant use skills it doesn't have built in. If you already use an AI chat app, you can turn it into an agent in a few minutes.

MCP server address: https://shop.getnoden.com/mcp

## Path 1: the chat app you already use (about 5 minutes, no code)

### Claude

1. Open Claude on the web or in the desktop app.
2. Go to Customize, then Connectors.
3. Choose + Add, then Add custom connector.
4. Enter a name (for example Noden) and paste the Noden address: https://shop.getnoden.com/mcp
5. Click Continue. Under Authentication choose No sign in, then click Add.
6. Start a new chat, click + at the lower left, choose Connectors and switch Noden on. Then ask for something that needs a skill, such as: Use Noden to check how agent-ready example.com is.

Guide: https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-about-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp (last checked 11 October 2026)

### ChatGPT

Custom MCP apps need Developer mode and are limited by plan (full support on Business and Enterprise/Edu, read and fetch only on Pro). Guide: https://help.openai.com/en/articles/12584461-developer-mode-and-mcp-apps-in-chatgpt (last checked 11 October 2026)

Your assistant can ask Noden for a key itself, which is enough for the free skills. If you would rather hold the key, with a spend cap you choose, sign up at shop.getnoden.com/signup and add it to the connector as a request header: Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY.

## Path 2: a no-code automation tool

Make, n8n, Lindy and Gumloop document adding an outside MCP server. Use https://shop.getnoden.com/mcp. Guides: Make https://help.make.com/mcp-tools-for-ai-agents · n8n https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/cluster-nodes/sub-nodes/n8n-nodes-langchain.toolmcp/ · Lindy https://docs.lindy.ai/integrations/mcp · Gumloop https://docs.gumloop.com/nodes/mcp/custom_mcp_servers

## Path 3: a coding assistant

- Claude Code: `claude mcp add --transport http noden https://shop.getnoden.com/mcp`
- Cursor: add `{"mcpServers":{"noden":{"url":"https://shop.getnoden.com/mcp"}}}` to .cursor/mcp.json
- VS Code: run "MCP: Add Server", choose HTTP, paste the address

## Path 4: build your own

Use the MCP server or plain web requests. See [Connect](https://getnoden.com/connect.md).

## Your first ten minutes

1. Set up path 1.
2. Try a free skill. Ask your assistant: "Use Noden to check how agent-ready example.com is."
3. Watch what it does. You will see it search Noden, pick a skill and return the result.
4. Browse the free prompts at shop.getnoden.com/prompts for ideas.
5. When you want paid skills, see the pricing page. Today paid skills are paid per call over Lightning; card plans are on a waitlist.

## Staying in control

- **Set a spending limit.** Every Noden key has a daily cap. A key your assistant creates for itself has a small fixed one; if you sign up, you set it.
- **Start with the free skills** until you are comfortable.
- **Keep confirmations on** in your chat app, so it asks before using a tool.
- **Check the ledger.** If you sign up for a Noden account, your dashboard lists every call and what it cost.
- **Only connect tools you trust.** A connector can see what you send to it.

## Questions

**Do I need to know how to code?** No, for paths 1 and 2.

**Do I need Bitcoin or a crypto wallet?** Not for the free skills. Today, paid skills are paid per call over Bitcoin Lightning, which does need a Lightning wallet. Card plans with monthly credits are planned and there is a waitlist on the pricing page.

**Does it cost anything to connect?** Connecting is free, and so are the free skills. Paid skills are priced per call.

**Is my chat app's subscription included?** No. Your AI app and Noden are separate. Noden only charges for the skills your agent uses.

**What is MCP?** The Model Context Protocol, a shared standard that lets AI assistants connect to outside tools. You don't need to understand it to use it.

**Can I use more than one assistant with the same Noden account?** Yes. Add the connector in each and use the same key.

**It isn't working. What now?** Start a new chat after adding the connector, check that the address was pasted exactly, and confirm your plan in that app allows custom connectors. If it still fails, contact us.

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