Skip to main content
ChatGPT runs in the cloud, so it needs Hoista at an HTTPS address it can reach. Either:
  • Hoista on your computer, through a tunnel or proxy. Point one (Cloudflare Tunnel, ngrok, Tailscale Funnel, Caddy) at port 8788. See From your computer below.
  • Hoista on a server: a remote or a self-hosted Hoista. Agents → Connect an agent in the desktop app shows its address.
Your Hoista URL is that address followed by /mcp, for example https://hoista.example.com/mcp.

​
From your computer

Hoista on your computer serves MCP over HTTP at http://127.0.0.1:8788, and only there, so nothing outside your computer reaches it until you run a tunnel or proxy to it. For example:
Your Hoista URL is the tunnel’s https:// address followed by /mcp, such as https://calm-words.trycloudflare.com/mcp. Hoista learns the address from the first request from outside; after that, hoist mcp http and Settings → Agents show it. If your tunnel or proxy doesn’t pass the address on, set it yourself with hoist mcp http --url https://hoista.example.com. Only sign-in and MCP are served there. ChatGPT signs in with OAuth, and you allow it on your computer: when it asks to connect, Hoista shows the request with a code to match (in the app, and on a page it opens in your browser), and asks for Touch ID or your password. Nobody can allow an agent from outside. Stop the tunnel and ChatGPT can’t reach Hoista. A quick tunnel gets a new address each time it starts; to use a new one, run hoist mcp http --forget (or Forget address in Settings) and add ChatGPT again. A named tunnel keeps one address. To stop serving web agents altogether, run hoist mcp http off, or turn off MCP over HTTP in Settings.

​
Turn on Developer mode

Click your profile picture, then Settings → Security and login, and turn on Developer mode.

​
Add Hoista

  1. Open Plugins and choose Add, then Create MCP App.
  2. Name it Hoista.
  3. Under Connection, keep Server URL and paste your Hoista URL.
  4. Set Authentication to OAuth.
  5. Tick I understand and want to continue, then choose Create.

​
Approve it

When ChatGPT connects, Hoista asks you to allow it. On a server, its sign-in page opens: sign in with your passkey. On your computer, the request shows in Hoista (the Connect an agent window, or the banner on the Agents page) and on a page in your browser; allowing it asks for Touch ID or your password. Check the code matches the one ChatGPT shows, choose what ChatGPT may do and which projects it can reach, then choose Authorize. ChatGPT connects over HTTP, where Hoista can’t ask you questions in the chat, so Hoista offers it only View only or Full access. Ask for approval needs the tool to ask you. Start with View only, and widen it later in Agent permissions.

​
Use it in a chat

In a new chat, open the + menu, choose Developer mode and select Hoista. Turning it on in settings alone isn’t enough. ChatGPT asks you to confirm before it runs a tool that changes something.

​
Check it works

Ask ChatGPT: “What projects do I have on Hoista?” It should list your projects. If it doesn’t, see If it doesn’t connect.

​
If it doesn’t connect

  • No Developer mode or Create MCP App: your plan doesn’t include it, or on Business an admin hasn’t turned it on for you.
  • ChatGPT can’t reach the URL: open it in a browser. You should see your Hoista’s sign-in page. If not, check the remote (or your tunnel) is running and the HTTPS address works.
  • To remove it: delete the app in Plugins, then revoke the agent in Agents or with hoist agents revoke.

Your remote

Hoista in your own cloud account.

Agent permissions

Change or narrow what an agent can do.

Prompts

Prompts to start with.