Overview
What is MCP
AfterShip Channels MCP
Installation
Claude Code
Claude Desktop & Claude.ai
ChatGPT

Install on ChatGPT

Create and authorize the AfterShip Channels plugin on chatgpt.com. After installation, you can use it in the ChatGPT desktop app when signed in to the same account and workspace.

Prerequisites

  • ChatGPT signed in on the web, with access to Developer mode and custom plugins in your workspace.
  • An AfterShip account with access to the organization you want to connect.

Install on the web

Step 1 — Enable Developer mode

  1. Open Settings → Security and login in ChatGPT.
  2. Scroll to Developer mode and turn it on.

Developer mode allows custom MCP servers. Review the plugin's requested access before connecting it.

Step 2 — Create the MCP app

  1. Open Plugins from the ChatGPT sidebar (or Settings → Plugins).

  2. Click +, then choose Create app.

  3. In the New Plugin dialog, click Create MCP App.

  4. In the form, enter:

    • Name: AfterShip Channels MCP
    • Connection: select Server URL and enter https://mcp.aftership.com/channels
    • Authentication: OAuth
    • Icon and Description: optional

  5. Select I understand and want to continue.

  6. Click Create.

Sign in

ChatGPT starts the OAuth flow in a browser tab. Sign in to AfterShip and choose the organization you want to work with, then return to ChatGPT. ChatGPT stores the connection automatically; you do not need to put credentials in a config file.

Open your personal Plugins directory, find AfterShip Channels MCP, and select + to install it.

Use in the desktop app

Sign in to the ChatGPT desktop app with the same account and workspace used on the web. Start a new chat and select the installed AfterShip Channels MCP plugin with @.

The desktop app's Settings → MCP servers → Add server flow is a separate connection path. For AfterShip Channels, use the web plugin installation and OAuth flow above.

Verify

On the web or in the desktop app, start a new chat, select AfterShip Channels MCP with @, and ask:

ChatGPT should use the AfterShip Channels MCP and return your onboarding status. If it does not, check that the plugin is installed in your personal Plugins directory on the web.

Troubleshooting

  • No option to add a plugin. Confirm Developer mode is enabled on the web. Your workspace administrator may restrict custom plugins.
  • OAuth window did not open. Check whether your browser blocked the pop-up, then reconnect the plugin on the web.
  • invalid_scope after adding the server directly in the desktop app. Remove that direct server entry. Install and authorize the plugin on the web, then open it in the desktop app.
  • Plugin missing in the desktop app. Confirm you are signed in to the same account and workspace, and that AfterShip Channels MCP is installed in your personal Plugins directory on the web.
  • Wrong organization data. Remove AfterShip Channels MCP from Plugins on the web, add it again, and select the correct organization during OAuth.