---
title: "Quickstart"
description: "Create an MCP key, list the tools, and make your first call to the Sellify MCP server."
url: "https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/quickstart"
---

# Quickstart

> Create an MCP key, list the tools, and make your first call to the Sellify MCP server.

This page gets you from nothing to a working call. You need a Sellify workspace with an active plan.

## Before you start

Two things need to be in place.

1. **An MCP key.** Open **Settings → MCP keys**, select **Create key**, and copy the key. It starts with `sfy_mcp_`. See [Authentication](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/authentication) for scopes.
2. **A place to run commands.** The examples use `curl`. Read your key into an environment variable with a silent prompt, so it stays out of your shell history. Paste the key when prompted:

```bash
read -rs -p "MCP key: " SELLIFY_MCP_KEY && export SELLIFY_MCP_KEY
```

## List the tools

The server speaks JSON-RPC over HTTP. Send `tools/list` to see which tools your key can use.

```bash
curl -s https://app.sellify.ai/api/mcp \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SELLIFY_MCP_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":1,"method":"tools/list"}'
```

You only see tools your key's scopes allow. A key with the default scopes sees the Ad Spy and Ads read tools. The full list is in the [MCP tool reference](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/mcp-tools).

## Make your first call

Start with a free read. `get_workspace_context` returns an overview of the workspace the key is bound to.

```bash
curl -s https://app.sellify.ai/api/mcp \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $SELLIFY_MCP_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "Accept: application/json, text/event-stream" \
  -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","id":2,"method":"tools/call","params":{"name":"get_workspace_context","arguments":{}}}'
```

The result holds the tool's output in `content`, and in `structuredContent` for tools that declare an output. The response can arrive as plain JSON or as a server-sent event, so read both.

## Call a tool that costs credits

Tools that spend credits need `max_credits`, the most the call may spend. This call searches Ad Spy ads:

```json
{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": 3,
  "method": "tools/call",
  "params": {
    "name": "ad_spy_ads_search",
    "arguments": {
      "query": "protein powder",
      "max_credits": 1
    }
  }
}
```

The call is refused before any work starts if it could cost more than `max_credits`. See [Credits and limits](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/credits-and-limits).

## Use an MCP client library

Any MCP client library can connect to the same address. Point it at `https://app.sellify.ai/api/mcp`, use the streamable HTTP transport, and send your key in an `Authorization: Bearer` header. The library handles the JSON-RPC calls above for you.

## If something's not right

### The server says my key is not valid

**Why this happens:** The key was revoked, it expired, or part of it was cut off when it was copied.

**What to do:** Open **Settings → MCP keys** and check the key's **Status**. Create a new key if it isn't **Active**, and make sure the header value is `Bearer`, a space, then the whole key.

### A tool I expected isn't in the list

**Why this happens:** The key doesn't have the scope that tool needs, or the address has `read_only` or `toolsets` options that leave it out.

**What to do:** Check each tool's scope in the [MCP tool reference](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/mcp-tools). Scopes cannot be changed on an existing key, so create a new key with the scopes you need.

## Related

[Authentication](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/authentication) · [Credits and limits](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/credits-and-limits) · [Errors](https://sellify.ai/docs/developers/errors)