> For the complete user guide index, see [llms.txt](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/llms.txt).

# Connect MCP providers inside Easel

[Canonical page](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/integrations/mcp-in-easel/)

## Applicability

- **Task:** Connect a supported MCP provider to Easel, refresh the session, and distinguish connection from tool availability.
- **Access:** Easel access and MCP connections enabled for the account
- **Audience:** Portrait users and support teams
- **Surfaces:** web
- **Availability:** Account-dependent; see requirements and limits
- **Content type:** how-to
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-09-22

There are two MCP directions in Portrait. [Portrait MCP for external clients](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/integrations/portrait-mcp/) lets Claude, ChatGPT, or another compatible client call Portrait tools; that server does not expose Easel. **MCP connections inside Easel** let an eligible Easel session use supported connected providers. Neither setup implies the other is configured.

## Connect and verify

1. In the web app, open **Settings → Connections → MCP**. This section depends on your account's access; it is not shown to every user.
2. Choose the supported provider and **Connect**. Complete sign-in in the browser window and return to Portrait to verify the connection state.
3. Start a new Easel session or restart the existing session after connecting. Connections are selected at session start or restart; adding one while a session is already active does not update that running session.
4. For **Portrait**, ask a narrow question that uses an available provider tool and inspect the activity and answer. A Connected card confirms a link, not completion of a particular tool call or access to every source.

The currently configured provider choices are **Portrait** and **BIA**. **BIA connection setup is available, but BIA research tools are not enabled in Easel yet.** A Connected BIA card therefore does not make its tools usable; reconnecting repeatedly or starting more sessions will not enable them. Arbitrary custom MCP provider URLs are not part of this setup.

## Session and connection lifetime

An Easel session's permission to use a selected MCP connection is time-limited to one hour. If that session permission expires, start or restart a session. Reconnect the provider only when its account connection requires it. Disconnecting a provider or losing access can stop further tool calls even in a session that previously worked.

## Troubleshoot

| Symptom | Recovery |
|---|---|
| Popup blocked | Allow the connection popup for Portrait, select Connect again, and finish in the new window. |
| Newly connected provider absent from an existing session | Start or restart the Easel session, then retry one relevant request. |
| Reconnect required | Reconnect that provider and check the account shown; then start or restart Easel. |
| BIA connected but no tools | Expected current limitation: BIA tool use is not enabled. |
| Connection busy | Let the current connection attempt finish before starting another. |
| Rate limited or temporarily unavailable | Wait and retry once when permitted. Disconnecting every provider does not fix rate limits. |
| Provider unavailable or not configured | Ordinary Easel research may still work. Report the provider and exact message to support; retrying OAuth cannot provision a missing provider. |
| MCP section missing | Check the web surface and account. Your colleague's connection card does not establish your own access. |

The support assistant cannot inspect connection state or complete sign-in. If the matching step fails, provide the provider name, session timing, and redacted error to [support](https://portraitresearch.com/documentation/more/contact-us/), without tokens or connection URLs.