# Connect Backlane as an MCP server.

> Copy the MCP server URL and choose your AI assistant. Then sign in with your Backlane account to connect.

Instructions checked: 23 October 2026. Publicly accessible, no sign-in required.

[Full documentation](https://getbacklane.com/en/docs/)

## Prerequisites

You need a Backlane account and access to the seller account you want to connect. Your AI client must support remote MCP with OAuth. Enter credentials in the relevant sign-in or connection dialog, not in chat.

Team workspaces may require administrator approval. Menu labels and availability depend on your AI provider.

Backlane supports OTTO Market, Kaufland and the Mirakl marketplaces available in the app. Amazon is not available yet. Available data and actions depend on your connection and permissions.

## Connection details

[Backlane](https://app.getbacklane.com)

MCP: https://app.getbacklane.com/mcp

Transport: Streamable HTTP. Authentication: OAuth. The MCP server URL is a technical endpoint for client configuration. A 401 when opening it in a browser without signing in is expected and is not a connection test.

## Setup

1. **Create your Backlane account** — Create your Backlane account or sign in. Select the organisation whose marketplaces you want to connect.
2. **Connect your marketplace** — Choose your marketplace in Backlane and connect your seller account.
3. **Connect your AI assistant** — Connect Backlane to ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor or VS Code, sign in and start your first chat.

## ChatGPT

[ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/plugins)

1. **Create an MCP plugin** — Open the plugin directory → Add → Add custom MCP server. Enter the connection details below. Advanced OAuth settings are discovered automatically. Review the notices and choose “Create as a plugin”.
2. **Install & sign in** — Install Backlane from your personal plugins and complete sign-in with your Backlane account.
3. **Select it in chat** — Start a new chat, select Backlane with @ and ask which marketplaces you have connected.

**Connection details**

```text
Name: backlane
Description: Marketplace APIs (orders, offers, inventory)
Connection (Server URL): https://app.getbacklane.com/mcp
Authentication: OAuth
```

[Official instructions](https://developers.openai.com/api/docs/guides/custom-mcp-server)

## Claude

1. **Create a connector** — Open Customize → Connectors → + Add → Add custom connector. In team workspaces, an authorised member must first add the connector in organisation settings.
2. **Add Backlane** — Enter Backlane and the server URL. Review the detected OAuth settings and follow the connection dialog to sign in.
3. **Enable it in chat** — Enable Backlane under + → Connectors in chat and ask which marketplaces you have connected.

[Official instructions](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp)

## Claude Code

1. **Run the command** — Run the command below in your terminal.
2. **Sign in to Backlane** — Open /mcp in Claude Code, select backlane and complete sign-in in your browser.
3. **Check the connection** — Ask which marketplaces are connected.

**Terminal**

```sh
claude mcp add --transport http backlane 'https://app.getbacklane.com/mcp'
```

### Alternative: plugin with the Backlane skill

```text
/plugin marketplace add pschlieker/getbacklane
/plugin install backlane@backlane
```

[Official instructions](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/mcp)

## Cursor

1. **Open the configuration** — Open ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Create the file if it does not exist yet.
2. **Add Backlane** — Copy the configuration and save it in the file. If you already have servers, add the backlane entry.
3. **Sign in & use it** — Open the MCP settings in Cursor and sign in to Backlane. You can then use Backlane in Agent chat.

**~/.cursor/mcp.json**

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "backlane": {
      "url": "https://app.getbacklane.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Already have a configuration? Add only the backlane entry and keep your existing servers.

[Official instructions](https://cursor.com/docs/mcp)

## VS Code

1. **Add a server** — Open .vscode/mcp.json in your project, or run “MCP: Add Server” and choose HTTP.
2. **Save the configuration** — Add the configuration to the file. When using the command, enter the server URL above and the name backlane.
3. **Start & sign in** — Click “Start” for the server and sign in to Backlane. Then use the connection in GitHub Copilot.

**.vscode/mcp.json**

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "backlane": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://app.getbacklane.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Already have a configuration? Add only the backlane entry and keep your existing servers.

[Official instructions](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/agents/reference/mcp-configuration)

## Check the connection

> Which marketplaces have I connected to Backlane?

Ask your AI assistant to call Backlane's list_integrations tool. A successful tool call confirms the MCP connection. An empty connection list means a marketplace still needs connecting; it is not an MCP connection failure.

## Your first tasks

### Check your connections

> Which marketplaces have I connected to Backlane?

Your active connections and guidance if anything is missing.

### Review open orders

> Show my open orders on OTTO Market and which need attention next. Do not change any data.

An overview based on the available order and status data.

### Check product data

> Check my most recently created products on Kaufland: which are online, and where does the API report errors? Do not change any data.

Available product statuses and errors, with missing data explicitly identified.

## Access and control

- Only connect seller accounts you are authorised to access. Your assistant uses the active connections of your organisation.
- Enter credentials only in Backlane or the provider’s sign-in dialog. Never copy API keys or passwords into chat.
- Write access can be disabled for the organisation in Backlane settings. Write actions are logged.
- Disconnect marketplace accounts in Backlane and remove the Backlane connector in your AI client. For OTTO, also uninstall the app in Partner Connect to fully revoke access.

## If something is missing

- No Backlane tools in chat: Check that the plugin or connector is installed, signed in and enabled for this chat. Start a new chat if needed.
- Missing or expired sign-in: Restart OAuth sign-in in your AI client's connection settings. Do not replace it with a manually entered token.
- A marketplace is missing: Check the active organisation and connection in Backlane. list_integrations provides setup or repair links. Fetch the list again after setup.
- Menu items are missing: Check the provider's official instructions and workspace permissions. Ask about the interface actually shown instead of inventing menu paths.

## Guidance for AI assistants

First ask which AI assistant I use and whether I already have a Backlane account. Then guide me step by step: create an account or sign in, connect a marketplace, add Backlane as a remote MCP server in my AI assistant and complete OAuth sign-in. The MCP server URL below belongs in the connection settings; it is not a web page to open. Pasting this prompt alone does not establish a connection. After setup, ask me to list my connected marketplaces through Backlane to check the connection.

list_integrations shows connections and setup links. search explores the API specification of active connections. execute performs API calls and can change data. The read-only connection check is sufficient for setup.

## Public agent repository

The public Backlane repository contains setup guides, agent skills and plugin configurations for the hosted MCP service.

- [GitHub](https://github.com/pschlieker/getbacklane)
- [Backlane skill for AI agents](https://github.com/pschlieker/getbacklane/blob/main/skills/backlane/SKILL.md)

Setup questions: hello@shop-vibes.de

## Beta and pricing

Backlane is currently in open beta. During this limited period, all available features are completely free to use. Any costs for your AI assistant or marketplace accounts are separate.