# Free & Pro Tier Setup Guide

This guide walks you through setting up Vendia’s MCP Gateway Free & Pro Tiers to work with AI applications, enabling them to access your S3 data and use the included Demo Vendia Connection.

For more information about Free & Pro Tier features, limitations, and frequently asked questions, see the [MCP as a Service Free & Pro Tier FAQ](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/free-tier-faq).

## Demo Vendia Connection

Every Free & Pro Tier account includes a **Demo Vendia Connection** with sample data and ready-to-use prompts:

1. **Copy Your MCP Gateway URL**: In the getting started page, copy your MCP server URL
2. **Configure Your AI Application**: Add the MCP Gateway URL to your AI application (see [Step 2: Configure Your AI Application](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started-free-tier/#step-2-configure-your-ai-application) below)
3. **Use Ready-to-Use Prompts**: Access the sample prompts in the Demo Vendia Connection

## Prerequisites

**To use the Demo Vendia Connection (included with Free & Pro Tiers):**

- **MCP-Compatible AI Application** such as Claude, ChatGPT, or [Mistral AI: Le Chat](https://help.mistral.ai/en/collections/911943-connectors) (free plan supported)

## Setup Steps

### Step 1: Get Your MCP Server URL

Your MCP Gateway URL is provided in the getting started page. Copy this URL - you’ll need it for your AI application.

### Step 2: Configure Your AI Application

Add your MCP Gateway URL to your AI application by following the detailed instructions in the [Getting Started Guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started).

Quick links for specific AI applications:

- [Claude Setup](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started#claude)
- [ChatGPT Setup](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started#chatgpt)
- [Mistral AI: Le Chat Setup](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started#mistral-ai-le-chat)
- [Other MCP-Compatible Applications](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/getting-started#other-mcp-compatible-applications)

### Step 3: Authenticate

When you first try to use the Vendia integration in your AI application:

1. **First Use**: You’ll be directed to authenticate with your Vendia credentials
2. **OAuth Flow**: Complete the OAuth authentication flow in your browser
3. **Return to AI App**: Return to your AI application to start using your Vendia data

For more information about authentication methods, see the [Authentication Methods guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/authentication).

## Verify Your Connection

After setup, verify the connection by:

- Asking your AI application to execute a sample prompt

## Next Steps

Now that you have Vendia MCP Gateway configured with your AI application, you can:

1. **Set Up Storage Connections**: Configure access to your S3 buckets using the [Storage Connections guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/storage-connections)
2. **Set Up API Integrations**: API Connections enable AI applications to discover and interact with your remote APIs by adding OpenAPI or Swagger specification files.
3. **Set Up Remote MCP Server Integrations**: Remote MCP Server Connectivity allows you to seamlessly connect third-party MCP servers to your Vendia workspace.
4. **Monitor Usage**: Track what data agents have accessed and updated.

## Advanced Connection Methods

Need alternative connection methods beyond direct remote MCP? See the [Advanced Connection Methods guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/advanced-connection-methods) for:

- Local proxy connections (for legacy MCP clients)
- Programmatic access with service credentials
- Custom token exchange implementations

## Need Help?

- Review the [MCP Free & Pro Tier FAQ](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/free-tier-faq) for Free & Pro Tier-specific questions
- Check the [Storage Connections guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/storage-connections) for S3 setup help
- Submit questions via our [contact form](https://www.vendia.com/contact-us/) (online support only)

The Vendia team is here to help you make the most of AI-powered access to your distributed data!

## Troubleshooting

### ”Vendia” Option Not Appearing

- Ensure you’ve completely restarted your AI application (e.g., Claude)
- Verify your MCP Server URL is correct
- Check that the MCP Server URL is accessible from your network

### Authentication Issues

- Verify your Vendia credentials are correct
- Check that popup blockers aren’t preventing the authentication window
- Ensure you’re logged into the correct Vendia account

For more information about authentication methods, see the [Authentication Methods guide](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/authentication).

### Connection Errors

- Confirm the MCP Server URL is correct and accessible
- Verify your network connection allows access to the Vendia servers
- Check if corporate firewalls are blocking the connection

### Storage Connection Issues

- Verify your cross-account IAM role has the correct S3 permissions
- Check that your storage connection configuration is correct
- Ensure your S3 bucket contains accessible files

For detailed troubleshooting, see [Storage Connections - Troubleshooting](https://docs.vendia.com/platform/vendia-mcp-server/storage-connections/troubleshooting).