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

# Connect AI Agents to GrowthBook

> GrowthBook connects to AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor in two ways: the MCP server and the Agent Skills plugin. Learn which to use.

GrowthBook works directly inside your AI coding agent: Claude Code, Cursor, and others. There are two ways to connect, and they're complementary — they share the same playbooks (skills), but different transports:

* **[MCP Server](/integrations/mcp):** a thin MCP bridge your agent can call mid-conversation. On GrowthBook Cloud, point your client at `https://mcp.growthbook.io/mcp` and sign in with OAuth. The server loads bundled Agent Skills and calls the REST API on your behalf.
* **[Agent Skills](/integrations/ai-agents/agent-skills):** the same workflows installed as a plugin. Your agent follows each skill step by step and calls the REST API through a small local helper — no MCP server to run.

You can use either. Prefer MCP when your host speaks MCP (including chat clients without a shell). Prefer the plugin when you already use Claude Code / Agent Skills install and don't want an MCP process.

Watch GrowthBook's Head of Experimentation, Luke Sonnet, run an experiment end to end using the skills.

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</Frame>

## Which should I use?

|                        | MCP Server                                                                                          | Agent Skills                                                                                                              |
| ---------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **What it is**         | Thin server: skill loader + authenticated API read/write tools                                      | Markdown playbooks your agent follows step by step                                                                        |
| **Setup**              | Cloud: add `https://mcp.growthbook.io/mcp` (OAuth). Self-hosted: stdio or the official Docker image | Install the plugin (no running server)                                                                                    |
| **Best for**           | MCP-native hosts, Claude Desktop, remote/OAuth connect, teams that want one Cloud URL               | Coding agents that already run shell commands and prefer slash commands                                                   |
| **Lifecycle coverage** | Flags, experiments, and product analytics via bundled skills                                        | Same skills, installed locally                                                                                            |
| **Governance**         | Draft → review → publish and other guardrails live in the skills the server loads                   | Same guardrails, enforced as the agent follows each skill                                                                 |
| **Where it runs**      | Any MCP-compatible host                                                                             | Agents that can run shell commands: Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and other [agentskills.io](https://agentskills.io) agents |

<Info>
  **Agent can't run a terminal? Use the MCP server**

  The Agent Skills plugin works by having your agent run a local Node helper, so it only works in agents that can execute shell commands, such as Claude Code, Cursor, and Codex. The MCP server is started by your host from a one-time config entry (Cloud URL + OAuth, or a local process). That works in MCP-compatible hosts that don't give the agent a terminal, like Claude Desktop. If your agent can't run shell commands, use the MCP server.
</Info>

<Tip>
  **Not sure where to start?**

  On **GrowthBook Cloud**, start with the [MCP Server](/integrations/mcp) — add the hosted URL and sign in. If you live in Claude Code and want slash commands without MCP, install [Agent Skills](/integrations/ai-agents/agent-skills) instead.
</Tip>

## Next steps

* [Set up the MCP Server](/integrations/mcp)
* [Install the Agent Skills plugin](/integrations/ai-agents/agent-skills)
* [Browse the GrowthBook REST API](/app/api), which both call under the hood

[Join our community Slack for additional help and announcements](https://join.slack.com/t/growthbookusers/shared_invite/zt-2xw8fu279-Y~hwnfCEf7WrEI9qScHURQ)