Connect an agent

Hosted agent MCP

Connect to https://api.usepanes.com/mcp/agent using Streamable HTTP. Discovery and signup work without a key. After signup_verify, store the key and reconnect with Authorization: Bearer <key> in your MCP client's secret headers. Every account tool checks that key. Browser cookies do not grant access.

The server advertises its complete tool schemas. JSON request data goes under body; path/query parameters are top-level. Use request_key for an idempotency header, payment_authorization for MPP and payment_signature for x402. Results include http_status and body, including the REST error's recovery action. Binary file reads return body.content_base64; screenshots are MCP images. The file limit is 1 MiB; use HTTP for larger files.

Example tool calls, in order:

{"name":"catalog","arguments":{}}
{"name":"signup","arguments":{"body":{"email":"agent@example.com","key_name":"Office agent"}}}
{"name":"signup_verify","arguments":{"body":{"challenge_id":"<signup.challenge_id>","code":"<inbox code>"}}}

Reconnect with the issued key, then:

{"name":"topup_quote","arguments":{"body":{"amount_cents":1000,"method":"usdc_x402"},"request_key":"office-credit-unique-01"}}
{"name":"topup_pay","arguments":{"id":"<topup.id>","payment_signature":"<authorized wallet proof>"}}
{"name":"topup_status","arguments":{"id":"<topup.id>"}}
{"name":"machine_create","arguments":{"body":{"template":"windows-16gb","name":"office-report","prevent_cloning":true,"require_office_ready":true,"auto_stop_minutes":15},"request_key":"office-computer-unique-01"}}
{"name":"exec","arguments":{"id":"<machine.id>","body":{"script":"Get-Date -Format o","desktop":true,"timeout_s":30}}}
{"name":"machine_stop","arguments":{"id":"<machine.id>"}}

Check live readiness and enabled payment rails before continuing. Follow the quickstart for the real Office task, downloads and cost check. A wallet must already have funds and delegated authority. Do not pay again after uncertainty.

Panes discovery JSON links the endpoint, docs and OpenAPI. It is supplemental Panes metadata. MCP clients use the transport and schemas above; no proprietary manifest support is required.

Local MCP

The local MCP bridge exposes computer lifecycle, commands, files, screenshots, accessibility, mouse and keyboard tools. It uses the same Panes API key and prepaid balance as HTTP. Python 3.11 or later is required for MCP.

python3 -m venv .venv
.venv/bin/python -m pip install 'panes[mcp] @ https://usepanes.com/sdk/panes-0.1.5-py3-none-any.whl'

Set PANES_API_KEY in the agent client's secret environment. Configure the absolute path to the installed executable:

{"mcpServers":{"panes":{"command":"/ABSOLUTE/PATH/.venv/bin/panes-mcp","args":[]}}}

On Windows use C:\\PATH\\.venv\\Scripts\\panes-mcp.exe. Do not paste keys into task prompts or source code.

Start by calling account and templates. Save a unique request_key before machine_create. For Office require a ready template, keep prevent_cloning true and use desktop: true for commands. Check exit codes and timeouts. Finish with machine_stop.

machine_request recovers a lost create reply. File tools carry base64 and cap payloads at 1 MiB; use direct HTTP or the SDK for larger files. The accessibility tool returns the native Windows UI Automation tree so agents can identify controls before clicking.

The desktop MCP bundle and finance workflow are examples built on the same bridge.

Signup and prepay through MCP

For a new agent, configure the same executable directory with panes-onboard-mcp instead of panes-mcp. It starts without a key and includes all computer tools plus this onboarding catalog:

Use the funding requests to obtain the wallet proof. The MCP server does not own a wallet or create spending authority. After a restart, set PANES_API_KEY to the stored key. After a lost verification reply, request another email code. After a lost payment reply, call topup_status for the original quote.

OpenAI OAuth connector

The separate OpenAI OAuth connector is live; directory approval is pending. See Panes for OpenAI agents for its connection details. Connect an autonomous agent through the hosted agent endpoint or local MCP bridge above.

The connector links an existing Panes account through OAuth. You choose computers and permissions, set runtime limits and approve exact actions on Panes before they run. It does not provide signup, funding, checkout or automatic top-ups. The autonomous endpoint above and panes-onboard-mcp use the separate API-key catalog.