Cloudways Managed AI Agents can connect to an MCP server. An MCP server is a service that gives an AI agent safe, structured access to external tools, data, and actions, instead of the agent only being able to talk in plain text.
Connecting the Cloudways MCP server to your Managed AI Agent lets the agent view and manage your Cloudways servers and applications directly, using natural language instructions.
This guide explains how to connect an MCP server to a Managed AI Agent from the Cloudways Platform, including generating an access token, confirming the connection, syncing, and updating or disconnecting it later.
Before You Start
Before connecting an MCP server, make sure you have:
An active paid Cloudways account with access to Managed AI Agents.
A Managed AI Agent deployed on the Cloudways Platform.
An access token for the Cloudways MCP server. [Add link to the article that explains how to generate a Cloudways MCP access token here.]
What is an access token? An access token is a unique code that proves your identity to a service. It works like a temporary password, letting your Managed AI Agent connect securely to the Cloudways MCP server without sharing your main account password.
Important:
Treat your access token like a password. Do not share it publicly or paste it into public documents, tickets, or screenshots.
How MCP Servers Work with Managed AI Agents
An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server is a standard way for an AI agent to connect with external tools, data sources, and services.
When you connect the Cloudways MCP server to your Managed AI Agent, the agent gains the ability to view and manage your Cloudways servers and applications directly, based on the instructions you give it.
For example, once connected, you can ask your agent to check server status, review application details, or perform supported management actions, instead of logging in to the Cloudways Platform yourself each time.
Note:
The setup steps in this article use OpenClaw as the example Managed AI Agent. Other Managed AI Agents may show slightly different labels or steps.
How to Connect the Cloudways MCP Server to Your Managed AI Agent
Step #1 — Go to AI Agents
Log in to your Cloudways Platform.
From the left-side navigation menu, click AI Agents.
This opens the Managed AI Agents area, where you can manage your existing agents or deploy a new one.
Step #2 — Open Your Agent
You will be redirected to the Managed AI Agents page. This page lists all agents available in your Cloudways account.
Find the agent you want to connect to an MCP server and click it.
Step #3 — Go to the MCP Section
On the agent details page, click the MCP tab.
This section lets you connect Model Context Protocol servers, giving your agent access to external tools, data sources, and APIs.
You can also sync your MCP server if it is not synced.
Under Cloudways MCP, click Connect.
Step #4 — Enter Your Access Token
A Connect Cloudways MCP window will open.
In the Access Token field, paste the access token you generated earlier. To learn how to generate your Access token, click here to read the Knowledge Base article.
Click Connect.
Important: Do not paste your access token into screenshots, public documents, or support tickets.
Step #5 — Confirm the Connection
After you click Connect, a confirmation message will appear, stating that the Cloudways MCP is connected.
The status next to Cloudways MCP will also change to Connected.
If the status does not update, click Sync at the top of the MCP section. This refreshes the connection status.
Step #6 — Test the Connection
To confirm that the MCP connection is working, open your agent and send it a request related to your Cloudways servers or applications, such as asking it to check a server's status.
If the agent responds with accurate information about your account, the MCP connection is working correctly.
How to Update or Disconnect the Cloudways MCP Server
You can update your access token or disconnect the MCP server at any time.
Go to the agent's MCP section.
Click the three-dot menu next to Cloudways MCP.
Select Update to enter a new access token, or select Disconnect to remove the connection.
Note: Disconnecting the MCP server stops your agent from accessing or managing your Cloudways servers and applications until you reconnect it.
Troubleshooting
The access token is not accepting
Check that the token was copied in full, with no extra spaces before or after it. If the issue continues, generate a new access token and try again.
The status still shows disconnected after clicking Connect
Click Sync in the MCP section. This refreshes the connection status without requiring you to reconnect.
My agent does not respond to requests about my servers or applications
Confirm that the Cloudways MCP status shows Connected and that your Managed AI Agent is running. If the status shows disconnected, reconnect using a valid access token.
I want to use a new access token
Use the Update option from the three-dot menu next to Cloudways MCP, then enter the new token.
That's it! We hope this article was useful.