Connect to Claude (API)

This guide walks you through connecting GovTribe MCP (Beta) to the Anthropic Claude API.

Difficulty Level: Advanced

Time to Integrate: ~15-20 Minutes

Best For: Developers

---

For testing tools, we recommend using the MCP Inspector which allows you to manually call all the tools with configurable arguments.

---

Prerequisites

• You must create and sign in to an Claude Developer Account.

• Once signed in, generate an API key for Claude

• Obtain a GovTribe API key from support for use with the GovTribe MCP server.

GovTribe MCP is authenticated as a GovTribe user. Your GovTribe account permissions determine what data/tools are available.

---

See also: Claude's official guide on using MCP servers via the API

---

Example Usage

• Replace $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY

• Replace $GOVTRIBE_API_KEY

List available tools:

curl https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "anthropic-beta: mcp-client-2025-11-20" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5",
    "max_tokens": 1000,
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "What tools do you have available?"}],
    "mcp_servers": [
      {
        "type": "url",
        "url": "https://govtribe.com/mcp",
        "name": "govtribe-mcp",
        "authorization_token": "$GOVTRIBE_API_KEY"
      }
    ],
    "tools": [
      {
        "type": "mcp_toolset",
        "mcp_server_name": "govtribe-mcp"
      }
    ]
  }'

List a federal contract opportunity:

curl https://api.anthropic.com/v1/messages \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $ANTHROPIC_API_KEY" \
  -H "anthropic-version: 2023-06-01" \
  -H "anthropic-beta: mcp-client-2025-11-20" \
  -d '{
    "model": "claude-sonnet-4-5",
    "max_tokens": 1000,
    "messages": [{"role": "user", "content": "Could you find me exactly one federal contract opportunity?"}],
    "mcp_servers": [
      {
        "type": "url",
        "url": "https://govtribe.com/mcp",
        "name": "govtribe-mcp",
        "authorization_token": "$GOVTRIBE_API_KEY"
      }
    ],
    "tools": [
      {
        "type": "mcp_toolset",
        "mcp_server_name": "govtribe-mcp"
      }
    ]
  }'

Use Claude's official guide on using MCP servers as the comprehensive and official guide for how to connect the GovTribe MCP server.