Unified Context Layer (UCL) MCP Gateway
Unified Context Layer (UCL) is a multi-tenant Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables AI agents, automation platforms, and applications to connect to over 1,000 SaaS tools—such as Slack, Jira, Gmail, Shopify, Notion, and more—via a single standardized /command endpoint. UCL abstracts away SDK sprawl, glue code, and complex authentication flows, allowing developers to orchestrate context-rich, cross-platform integrations without building and maintaining separate connectors for each service.
Features
Integrated platform support - Use services like Slack, Notion, HubSpot, and more through the Fastn server
Flexible authentication - Use either API key or tenant-based authentication
Comprehensive logging - Detailed logs for troubleshooting
Error handling - Robust error management for various scenarios
Related MCP server: MCP Manager
Prerequisites
Python 3.10 or higher
Installation Options
Option 1: Package Installation (Recommended)
The easiest way to install the UCL server is using pip:
To find the exact path of the installed command:
On macOS/Linux:
which fastn-mcp-serverOn Windows:
where fastn-mcp-server
After Package Installation
Option 2: Manual Setup
UCL Account Setup
Log in to your UCL account or sign up for a new UCL account
Activate the service(s)/connector(s) you want to use
Go to the "Integrate" section on the left-hand side and follow the provided instructions to connect UCL to your agents.
Alternatively, you can also select and different method to use UCL as mentioned within the integrate section.
Running the Server
The server supports two authentication methods:
Authentication Method 1: API Key
Authentication Method 2: Tenant-based
Integration with AI Assistants
Claude Integration
Open the Claude configuration file:
Windows:
notepad "%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json"orcode "%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json"Mac:
code ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Add the appropriate configuration:
Using Package Installation
Or with tenant authentication:
Using Manual Installation
API Key authentication:
Tenant authentication:
Cursor Integration
Open Cursor settings
Navigate to the "Tools & Integrations" tab and click "Add Custom MCP"
Click on "Add new MCP server"
Add a name for your server (e.g., "fastn")
Head back to UCL and within the Integrate section, head over to "Real Time Event Streaming" mentioned at the bottom of the Integrate section
Copy the JSON command and head back to Cursor to paste the file in mcp.json and save.
Docker Integration
Step 1: Setup Environment Configuration
Create a .env file in your project directory with your UCL credentials:
Step 2: Build and Run with Docker Compose
First, build and start the container:
This will create the UCL server image and verify it starts correctly.
Step 3: Configure AI Assistants for Docker Integration
Claude Desktop Integration
Open the Claude configuration file:
Windows:
notepad "%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json"Mac:
code ~/Library/Application\ Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Add the Docker configuration:
Note: Replace /path/to/your/fastn-stdio-server/.env with the actual path to your .env file.
Alternative: Using Environment Variables
If you prefer to pass environment variables directly:
Benefits of Docker Integration
Isolation: UCL server runs in a secure container environment
Consistency: Same runtime across different machines and platforms
Easy Setup: No need to install Python dependencies locally
Scalability: Can be deployed in cloud environments or orchestrated with Kubernetes
Troubleshooting
Package Structure Error
If you encounter an error like this during installation:
Quick Fix:
Make sure
pyproject.tomlhas the wheel configuration:
Then install dependencies:
Support
Documentation: https://docs.fastn.ai/ucl-unified-context-layer/about-ucl
Community: https://discord.gg/Nvd5p8axU3
License
This project is licensed under the terms included in the LICENSE file.