Connect GovTribe MCP to Codex
Add GovTribe MCP to Codex CLI and the Codex IDE extension so Codex can use GovTribe tools during coding, documentation, and research workflows.
Use Codex when you want GovTribe MCP available while Codex works with a codebase, drafts documentation, or researches public-sector context from the CLI or IDE extension. Codex uses a remote MCP server configuration, so this setup starts with a GovTribe MCP API key.
For general Codex MCP configuration behavior, see OpenAI's Model Context Protocol documentation for Codex.
Before you start
You need:
- A GovTribe account with access to GovTribe MCP.
- GovTribe credits enabled for your account. See Credits if the GovTribe MCP page says credits must be enabled.
- A GovTribe MCP API key from the GovTribe MCP account page.
- Codex CLI or the Codex IDE extension.
Keep MCP keys private
A GovTribe MCP API key allows Codex to use GovTribe MCP as your GovTribe user. Store it in an environment variable or secret manager, and revoke it from the GovTribe MCP page if it is exposed.
Connect with Codex CLI
Set the GovTribe MCP API key in your shell, then add GovTribe as a remote MCP server.
Create a GovTribe MCP API key. Open GovTribe MCP, enable credits if prompted, choose Create Key, enter a name such as Codex, and store the key when GovTribe shows it.
Set the key as an environment variable. Export the key as GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEY in the shell where you run Codex.
Add the remote MCP server. Run codex mcp add with the GovTribe MCP server URL and the bearer-token environment variable.
Verify the server is configured. Run codex mcp list and confirm govtribe appears.
Start a Codex session and test the tools. In the Codex TUI, use /mcp to review active MCP servers, then ask Codex to list available GovTribe MCP tools or run a small GovTribe lookup.
Bash or zsh:
export GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEY="your_actual_api_key_here"
codex mcp add govtribe \
--url https://govtribe.com/mcp \
--bearer-token-env-var GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEYVerify the configuration:
codex mcp listUse the Codex IDE extension
Codex CLI and the Codex IDE extension share Codex MCP configuration. After you add GovTribe MCP from the CLI, open the Codex IDE extension and start a new Codex session. Use the extension's MCP settings or the in-session MCP view to confirm the govtribe server is available before relying on it for a larger task.
If the IDE extension does not see GovTribe MCP, restart the IDE, confirm the same user profile is using the Codex configuration, and verify that GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEY is available to the environment where Codex runs.
Configure with config.toml
Advanced users can configure the same server directly in Codex config.toml. By default, Codex uses ~/.codex/config.toml. Trusted projects can also use a project-scoped .codex/config.toml.
[mcp_servers.govtribe]
url = "https://govtribe.com/mcp"
bearer_token_env_var = "GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEY"After editing the file, restart Codex and run codex mcp list or use /mcp in a Codex session to confirm the server is active.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
govtribe does not appear in codex mcp list | Run the codex mcp add command again, or confirm the [mcp_servers.govtribe] table exists in the Codex config file in use. |
| Codex reports an authentication error | Confirm GOVTRIBE_MCP_API_KEY is set in the environment where Codex starts, the key has not expired or been revoked, and GovTribe credits are enabled. |
| The Codex IDE extension does not show GovTribe MCP | Restart the IDE extension and confirm it is using the same Codex configuration as the CLI. |
| A GovTribe tool is missing after an MCP update | Restart Codex, refresh MCP tools with /mcp, and review Update your AI application after a GovTribe MCP update. |
Related articles
- GovTribe MCP: Manage GovTribe MCP access, supported AI tools, and API keys for developer clients.
- Credits: Enable credit-powered features, review balances, buy credit packs, configure auto-refill, and audit usage.
- Connect GovTribe MCP to ChatGPT: Connect the GovTribe app inside ChatGPT.
- Connect GovTribe MCP to Claude: Connect the GovTribe remote connector in Claude.
- Connect GovTribe MCP to Microsoft 365 Copilot: Add GovTribe from the Microsoft 365 Copilot Agent Store.
- GovTribe MCP for Developers: Connect GovTribe MCP to developer APIs, command-line MCP clients, and MCP Inspector.