How to connect the Dropbox Dash remote MCP server

Updated Mar 25, 2026

In this article

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This article describes a feature available to all Dropbox Dash users.

The Dropbox Dash remote MCP server makes it easy to connect Dropbox Dash directly within your favorite apps, so you can stay focused without switching tabs or interrupting your workflow.

Built on the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP) standard, it provides a simple way to connect Dash with the tools you use every day. The Dash MCP server is ideal for:

  • Developers using IDEs like Cursor
  • Sales and support teams accessing live customer data
  • Anyone who needs quick access to Dash knowledge inside their daily apps

Available tools

Tools Description

Search

 

dash_search

Search company content across all connected sources, with optional filters for file type, source, and source-specific labels.

Content Reading

 

dash_read_document

Retrieve document metadata and optionally extract text content for a specific document identified by UUID or URI.

dash_read_markdown_content

Read document content as markdown, with chunked transfer support for large files.

dash_read_visual_page

Read visual page renderings (PDF pages, presentation slides) from a document as images.

dash_read_binary_content

Read raw binary content (images, video, audio files) from a document as base64-encoded data.

Discovery

 

dash_get_sources

List all connected sources available to the user.

dash_get_examples

Get available filters and query examples for a specific source type to help build filtered searches.

dash_whoami

Get the current user's identity information, including display name and email address.

URL Resolution

 

dash_resolve_urls

Resolve URLs to Dash entity UUIDs with metadata, useful for looking up documents by their original URL.

Connector Actions

 

dash_list_search_actions

List available read-only search actions for a specific source, using the source's native API.

dash_invoke_search_action

Execute a read-only search action on a source using its native API.

Supported MCP clients

Dropbox MCP server supports Dynamic Client Registration for the following MCP clients:

  • ChatGPT  
  • Claude Code
  • Claude Web / Desktop
  • Cursor
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Notes:

How to connect to the Dropbox Dash MCP server

Dropbox Dash MCP server location: https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash

The setup steps vary depending on your MCP client.

Connect with Cursor

To set up the connector

  1. In Cursor, click Settings, then Cursor Settings.
  2. Click Tools and MCP, then New MCP Server.
  3. Copy the configuration below:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "Dropbox Dash MCP": {
      "url": "https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash"
    }
   }
}

Connect with Claude Web/Desktop

Prerequisites

  • Access to the Claude Custom Connector (available on select Claude plans)

To set up the connector

  1. In Claude, click Settings, then Connectors.
  2. Click Add custom connector.
  3. Enter the following:
    • Name: Dropbox Dash MCP
    • Dash MCP server URL: https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash
  4. Click Add.

Connect with Claude Code (CLI)

Prerequisites

  • Claude Code CLI installed

To set up the connector

claude mcp add --transport http DropboxDashMCP https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash

Connect with ChatGPT Web

Prerequisites

  • Access to ChatGPT Developer Mode (available on certain plans)

To enable Developer Mode

  1. In ChatGPT, click Settings, then Apps.
  2. Click Advanced settings.
  3. Toggle Developer mode to ON.
  4. Review the prompt about unverified connectors, then click Confirm.

To set up the app

  1. In ChatGPT, click Settings, then Apps.
  2. Click Create app.
  3. Enter the following:
    • Name: Dropbox Dash MCP
    • MCP Server URL: https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash
    • Authentication: OAuth
  4. Check I understand and want to continue.
  5. Click Create.
  6. Go through the OAuth flow, then allow ChatGTP to access your Dash content.

Connect with ChatGPT Codex (CLI)

Prerequisites

To set up the MCP server

  1. Set the environment variable:

macOS / Linux

export DROPBOX_DASH_MCP_TOKEN="<your-access-token>"
Windows (PowerShell) 
setx DROPBOX_DASH_MCP_TOKEN "<your-access-token>"
2. Set up the server: 
codex mcp add dropbox-dash-mcp \
--url https://mcp.dropbox.com/dash \
--bearer-token-env-var DROPBOX_DASH_MCP_TOKEN

3. Update the OAuth token.

Update the environment variable and restart Codex or your terminal:

macOS / Linux

 

export DROPBOX_DASH_MCP_TOKEN="<your-new-access-token>"
Windows 
setx DROPBOX_DASH_MCP_TOKEN "<your-new-access-token>"

Connecting from other MCP clients

Before connecting to the MCP server, you need a Dropbox app to obtain API credentials. Follow the Dropbox app setup instructions.

Dropbox app setup

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Note: Your Dropbox admin may control whether you can register or connect apps. If you don’t see the option to create an app or connect Dropbox to another service, contact your team admin. Learn more about admin controls for app integrations.

  1. Go to the Dropbox App Console.
  2. Click Create app.
  3. Configure your app:
    • API: Scoped access
    • Access type: Full Dropbox
    • App name: Choose a unique name
  4. Click Permissions, then enable:
    • account_info.read
    • dash/content.read
    • dash/content.write
  5. Add OAuth 2 Redirect URIs for your MCP Client:
    • Check their documentation for specific OAuth2 redirect URIs.
    • This is sometimes obtained during the setup flow of connecting to MCP servers.
  6. Collect your credentials:
    • Click Settings.
    • Click Generate access token.
    • Copy your Access token.
      • Note: The access token is short-lived, so you’ll need to regenerate it when it expires.
    • Copy the App key.
    • Copy the App secret.
  7. Customize your app in Branding with a name, icon, and description (Optional).

FAQs about setting up the Dash MCP server

How secure is the connection?

Dropbox Dash MCP uses Dropbox OAuth for secure authentication. Your data stays protected under Dropbox’s existing privacy and security standards.

Do you have a local MCP server available?

The Dropbox Dash local MCP server is available. However, we recommend using the remote server as it’s easier to use and updated more frequently.

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