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Managing Box MCP Servers

Integrations , Admin Console , AI Agents

Remote MCP Server is a standardized way for AI Agents to connect and interact with third-party applications like Box, enabling seamless access to content and AI capabilities across platforms.  The Box MCP Server acts as a bridge that allows leading AI Agent platforms—such as Copilot Studio and Claude Enterprise—to securely query and utilize Box data and AI-powered tools without exposing raw file content.  Through OAuth authorization, users can grant AI Agents controlled access to their Box accounts, enabling intelligent document handling, advanced search, and multi-file AI queries directly within these external AI environments.

Learn More

To learn more about the tools offered, or explore Box MCP Remote and local servers along with their use cases, visit the developer documentation here.


For Box Admins

Box enables you to manage and add Box MCP Servers to enable seamless connectivity between Box and third-party AI Agents. 
To access and manage predefined Box MCP Servers:

  1. In the left sidebar of your Admin Console, click Integrations.
  2. In the search field search at the top of the window, search for a predefined Box MCP Server, for example: “Box MCP Server for Copilot Studio”.
  3. Beside the selected MCP server, click the state, then select the state you want to enable.


To create a new, unlisted Box MCP server:

  1. In the left sidebar of your Admin Console, click Integrations.
  2. In the search field search at the top of the window, search for “Box MCP Server”.
  3. Hover on the “Box MCP Server” application, then click Configure.
  4. In the Additional Configuration section, click + Add Integration Credentials.
  5. Copy the generated Client ID and Client Secret.
  6. Enter the Redirect URI provided by the external MCP Client.
  7. Under Scopes, ensure that Manage AI is selected.
  8. See this article and add Integration credentials for customer-instance integrations.


Adding a Box MCP Server on the Client Side

To connect to Box from the AI Agent platform, you need:

  • Endpoint URL: https://mcp.box.com
  • Client ID and Client Secret: Box generates these in the Integration Credentials section of your Admin Console when configuring the Box MCP Server, above.
  • OAuth endpoints: these are the same as for the Box Platform and also exposed according to RFC 8414.
    Exact steps may vary depending on the AI platform.  Refer to your platform’s documentation for client-side setup instructions.  Note that the Box MCP Server currently does not support Dynamic Client Registration.


Adding a Box MCP Server on Copilot Studio side

 Detailed steps and guidance are available in the official Microsoft documentation: Add an MCP Server in Copilot Studio.


To add an MCP server as Tool in Copilot Studio, follow the steps below:
1.    Create a new agent in Copilot Studio:

  • Log in to Copilot Studio with a valid account and follow the steps to create a new agent, adding the name and description of your choice.  If you're not familiar with the process of creating agents in Copilot studio, you can follow Microsoft’s support article here.

2.    Add the Box MCP Server as a Tool:

  • Go to the Tools page for your agent and select Add a tool.
  • Select Model Context Protocol and select the Box MCP Server from the list of available MCP Connector.
  • Authorize the connection, entering any information that is needed.
  • When you're done, select Add to agent or Add and configure to proceed.

3.    Publish and deploy your agent: 

  • Publish your agent and make it available in the channels and to the users of your choice.  If you're not familiar with the process of publishing and deploying agents in Copilot studio, follow Microsoft’s support article here.


Adding a Box MCP Server on the Azure API Center's Enterprise Registry side

 
Create an OAuth 2.0 app in the Azure API Center

If you’re unfamiliar with the process, follow this documentation: Create an OAuth 2.0 app.


To obtain the Credentials from the Box side:

  1. In the left sidebar of your Admin Console, click Integrations.
  2. In the Box Integrations & Clients tab, scroll down to Individual Integration Controls.
  3. Search for “Box MCP Server”.
  4. Hover on the “Box MCP Server” application, then click Configure.
  5. In the Additional Configuration section, click + Add Integration Credentials.
  6. Copy the generated Client ID and Client Secret.
  7. Enter the Redirect URI provided by the Azure API Center’s Enterprise Registry.
  8. Under Scopes, ensure that Manage AI is selected.
  9. To add Integration credentials for customer-instance integrations, see this article.


To add an MCP server in Azure API Center's Enterprise Registry, follow the instructions in the official Microsoft documentation: Add an MCP Server in Azure API Center's Enterprise Registry. 


Using Box AI Features with the MCP Server 

When using Box AI in third party applications, the best experience and highest quality results are achieved by accessing the applications through the Box MCP Server.  Using the Box MCP Server ensures full functionality, improved performance, and a seamless user experience.


To manage Box AI API access for Managed Users:  

  1. In the left sidebar of your Admin Console, click Box AI.
  2. In the Box AI window, click Settings.
  3. Ensure that AI API and Official Box Integrations is enabled for all users is selected.
  4. If required, ensure that you provided consent to the Box AI terms of usage.


API Charges and AI Unit Consumption

Using tools through the Box MCP Server employs billable Box Platform API calls and may involve AI Unit consumption.  We recommend monitoring your activity to stay informed about how these resources are utilized, as this can impact your overall usage profile.

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