> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://metorial.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connecting External Providers

> Connect your self-hosted MCP server to Metorial.

<Note>
  **What you'll learn:**

  * How external providers work
  * Connection requirements
  * Security
</Note>

External providers run on your own infrastructure and connect to Metorial via HTTP/HTTPS. You maintain complete control over hosting, deployment, and security while using Metorial for tool distribution.

## External Provider Requirements

Your server must meet these requirements to connect to Metorial:

<Info>
  **Requirements:**

  * HTTP/HTTPS endpoint that Metorial can reach
  * MCP protocol implementation
  * Bearer token authentication
  * HTTPS required for production
</Info>

## Registering an External Provider

<Steps>
  <Step title="Add Provider URL">
    Enter your server's URL in the Metorial dashboard.

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/metorial/fydw7J6y9LueIJC4/images/custom-servers/external-provider.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=fydw7J6y9LueIJC4&q=85&s=91f018cdf39fe1201ad9af2f08d31e63" alt="External provider registration" width="3838" height="2046" data-path="images/custom-servers/external-provider.png" />
  </Step>

  <Step title="Receive Token">
    Metorial generates a unique authentication token.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Implement Validation">
    Add token validation to your server's request handler.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create Deployment">
    Create a provider deployment that connects to your external server.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## What's Next?

<CardGroup cols={1}>
  <Card title="Authentication" icon="shield" href="/custom-servers-external-authentication">
    Learn how to secure your external provider connections.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>