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

# Migrating from the old MCP

> How to migrate from the old API-key Ordinal MCP server to the new OAuth-based server at app.tryordinal.com/mcp.

## Why migrate?

The old MCP server at `https://app.tryordinal.com/api/mcp` used a workspace API key that you pasted into your assistant's config. It's been replaced by the new server at `https://app.tryordinal.com/mcp`, which signs you in with OAuth — no key-pasting, and you can reach every workspace you belong to from one connection.

> [!WARNING]
>
> **Remove the old server first.** If you leave both servers installed, your assistant sees duplicate tool names (e.g. two versions of `create_post`) and may pick the wrong one or refuse to run either. Always delete the old entry before installing the new one.

## Step 1 — Remove the old server

Pick your client below.

> [tab] Claude
>
> The old Ordinal server was installed as a **local MCP server** in Claude Desktop, configured via `claude_desktop_config.json`. Remove it like this:
>
> **1. Open Claude Desktop settings**
>
> Press `Cmd + ,` (Mac) or `Ctrl + ,` (Windows).
>
> **2. Go to Developer**
>
> In the sidebar under **Desktop app**, click **Developer**.
>
> **3. Edit Config**
>
> Click **Edit Config**, then **Open File** to open `claude_desktop_config.json` in your editor.
>
> **4. Remove the ordinal entry**
>
> Find the `"ordinal"` block under `mcpServers` and delete it. It looks like this:
>
> ```json theme={null}
> {
>   "mcpServers": {
>     "ordinal": {
>       "command": "npx",
>       "args": [
>         "mcp-remote@latest",
>         "https://app.tryordinal.com/api/mcp",
>         "--header",
>         "Authorization:Bearer ord_XXXXXXXX"
>       ]
>     }
>   }
> }
> ```
>
> Save the file. If `ordinal` was the only entry, leave `"mcpServers": {}`.
>
> **5. Restart Claude Desktop**
>
> Fully quit and relaunch. In **Settings → Developer**, the `Ordinal` entry should be gone from **Local MCP servers**.

> [tab] Claude Code
>
> Run:
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> claude mcp remove ordinal
> ```
>
> Then verify with:
>
> ```bash theme={null}
> claude mcp list
> ```
>
> `ordinal` should no longer be listed.

> [tab] Cursor
>
> **1. Open MCP settings**
>
> Command palette (`Cmd+Shift+P` / `Ctrl+Shift+P`) → **Open MCP settings**.
>
> **2. Remove the ordinal entry**
>
> Delete the `"ordinal": { ... }` block from the config. If the entry uses `"command": "npx"` with `mcp-remote` and an `Authorization` header, that's the old server.
>
> **3. Restart Cursor**
>
> Fully quit and reopen Cursor. In MCP settings, the `ordinal` server should be gone.

> [tab] VS Code
>
> **1. Open the MCP config**
>
> Open `.vscode/mcp.json` in your project (or your user-level `settings.json` if you installed it globally).
>
> **2. Remove the ordinal entry**
>
> Delete the `"ordinal": { ... }` block under `servers`. If the entry references `/api/mcp` or includes an `Authorization` header, that's the old server.
>
> **3. Reload VS Code**
>
> Run **Developer: Reload Window** from the command palette (`Cmd+Shift+P` / `Ctrl+Shift+P`). The MCP view should no longer list `ordinal`.

## Step 2 — (Optional) Revoke the old API key

Since the old server used a workspace API key, revoke it so it can't be used again:

**1. Open API Keys**

Go to [Settings → Integrations → API Keys](https://app.tryordinal.com/settings/integrations/api) in your workspace.

**2. Revoke the key**

Find the key you used for MCP, click the `...` menu, and select **Revoke**. This is permanent and immediate.

> [!NOTE]
>
> You can skip this step if the same API key is still used for something else (for example, the REST API). The old MCP server will stop accepting requests regardless.

## Step 3 — Install the new server

Follow the [install guide](https://ordinal.mintlify.site/mcp/install/overview.md) for your client — Claude, Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, or VS Code.

## After migrating

> [accordion] Tool names have changed
>
> The new server's tools are named and organized differently. For example, the old server had separate `create_post` and `update_post` tools — the new server uses `ordinal_create_post` and `ordinal_manage_post`. See the full [tools reference](https://ordinal.mintlify.site/mcp/tools.md).

> [accordion] You now pass workspaceSlug explicitly
>
> The old API key was tied to a single workspace. The new server signs you in as a user, so every tool call takes a `workspaceSlug` argument. Call `ordinal_get_workspace_context` with no arguments to list your workspaces and get the slug.

> [accordion] My assistant still shows the old tools
>
> You probably didn't fully restart the client, or the old entry is still in config. Double-check the config file, fully quit the app (not just close the window), and relaunch.


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