Connect an AI app
The Meal Plan Vault includes a built-in MCP server (Model Context Protocol). Once connected, you can ask Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Goose, Zed, or any other MCP-compatible AI to read and update your meal plans, recipes, and grocery lists — using natural language.
Your MCP server URL
Paste this into the AI app you're connecting. The app handles sign-in and approval automatically.
Setup, by app
Claude Desktop & Claude.aiRecommended
- Open Claude Desktop and go to Settings → Connectors (or visit claude.ai/settings/connectors).
- Click Add custom connector.
- Paste
https://www.mealplanvault.com/mcpas the server URL. - Sign in with your Meal Plan Vault account in the popup window and click Allow access.
- Start a new chat and try: “What's on my meal plan this week?”
ChatGPT (Connectors)
- Open ChatGPT and go to Settings → Connectors.
- Click Create and choose Custom connector (MCP).
- Paste
https://www.mealplanvault.com/mcp. - Sign in and approve access.
- Enable the connector in any conversation, then ask it to plan meals or build a grocery list.
Cursor, Goose, Zed, and other MCP clients
Most MCP clients accept a remote HTTP MCP URL plus OAuth. Add a new server with this configuration:
{
"mcpServers": {
"the-meal-plan-vault": {
"url": "https://www.mealplanvault.com/mcp",
"transport": "http"
}
}
}When the client first connects, it will open your browser to sign in and approve the connection. No API keys to copy or paste.
What you can do
Once connected, your AI has access to the following tools. You don't need to memorize them — just ask in plain English.
list_recipesSearch recipes by title or tagget_recipeRead a recipe in full — ingredients, steps, tagscreate_recipeWrite a new recipe into the vaultimport_recipe_from_urlImport a recipe from any linkupdate_recipe_notesAdd or update the notes on a saved recipeget_meal_plan_weekRead any week of the planset_meal_plan_entrySchedule a meal into a day and slotremove_meal_plan_entryClear a slot in the planlist_grocery_listsList grocery listsget_grocery_listRead a list and everything on itcreate_grocery_listBuild a new list, sorted by aisleadd_grocery_list_itemAdd an item to a listcheck_grocery_list_itemCheck an item off while shoppingremove_grocery_list_itemRemove an item from a listdelete_grocery_listDelete a list and its itemslist_pantry_itemsSee what's on hand, by shelf or by what expires soonestadd_pantry_itemAdd something you just boughtupdate_pantry_itemDraw an item down after cooking with itremove_pantry_itemRemove an item once it's goneThings to try
Security & privacy
- •Connection uses OAuth 2.1 with PKCE — your password is never sent to the AI app.
- •Access tokens expire every hour and are rotated on every refresh.
- •The AI can only see data in households where you're a member, and operates with your role's permissions.
- •Revoke any connection instantly from Settings → Connected AI apps.
Troubleshooting
The AI says it can't find any tools
Make sure the connector is enabled in your current chat or workspace. In Claude Desktop, click the connector toggle in the chat input area. In ChatGPT, enable the connector for that conversation.
I'm getting “You don't belong to a household”
Sign in to The Meal Plan Vault once and create your household, then retry from the AI app.
I want to disconnect an app
Go to Settings → Connected AI apps and click Revoke next to the app. Its tokens are invalidated immediately.
Ready to try it?
Manage your connected AI apps and grab the MCP URL from your dashboard.
Open Connected AI apps