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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://lava.so/docs/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

The Lava MCP gives your AI chat access to a catalog of connected services with auth and billing handled automatically. This quickstart walks you from zero to a successful ask in under 5 minutes. By the end, you’ll have Lava installed in your chat, one service connected, and one ask returning real data.

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Step 1: Install Lava in Your AI Chat

Click Add Lava to claude.ai. claude.ai opens its connector dialog with Lava as the connector name and https://www.lava.so/mcp as the URL, and asks you to confirm. Approve it. Expected result. Lava appears in your claude.ai connectors list. The first time you use it, claude.ai prompts you to sign in (covered in Step 2). Other surfaces. Using Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or installing for a Team or Enterprise workspace? See the install guide before continuing.

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Step 2: Sign In to Lava

The first time your AI chat uses a Lava tool, Lava redirects you to a browser to sign in. Complete the sign-in flow and return to your chat. In Claude Code, run /mcp and follow the prompts to authenticate lava. For details on what to expect, see Sign In and Confirm in the install guide. Expected result. Your AI chat confirms the connection. Lava is now ready to handle tool calls on your behalf.

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Step 3: Connect Your First Service

Connect web search. In your chat, type: 
Connect web search to Lava.
Your chat hands off to Lava, which replies with a sign-in link: 
// Lava sends back:
{
  "url": "https://www.lava.so/auth/connect/serper?session=...",
  "expires_in": 600
}
Open the URL. Lava walks you through whichever sign-in the search provider needs, then returns you to your chat. Expected result. Ask your chat what you have connected, and the search provider now appears: 
What services do I have connected?

// Lava sends back:
{
  "data": [
    { "service": "serper", "connected_at": "2024-01-01T00:00:00Z" }
  ]
}

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Step 4: Run Your First Ask

Now ask Lava to use the connected service. Type: 
Ask Lava to search the web for tips for visiting Lisbon for the first time and summarize the top three results.
Lava runs the search, retrieves results, and synthesizes a summary for you. Expected result. Your chat returns a summary along these lines (actual content varies — Lava searches the web at query time): 
Top three first-time tips for visiting Lisbon:

1. Pack comfortable shoes. Lisbon's old neighborhoods are built on steep
   hills and laid with cobblestone — sneakers or sturdy walking shoes
   beat fashion choices.

2. Use the historic Tram 28 early or late. It runs through the most
   scenic neighborhoods, but fills up by mid-morning. Going at 8am or
   after 7pm gets you a seat and better photos.

3. Try a pastel de nata at Pastéis de Belém. The custard tarts here are
   the original recipe; expect a line, but it moves quickly.
If your chat tells you Lava can’t run that yet because of an insufficient balance, continue to Step 5.

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Step 5: Add Funds to Unlock Paid Providers

Free providers work without funds. Most paid providers require a wallet balance. Ask your chat: 
Add $25 to my Lava wallet.
Lava returns either a list of saved payment methods (if you have one) or a browser checkout URL. Follow the flow to add funds. Expected result. Asking your chat: 
What's my Lava balance?
returns the new total. For deeper coverage — including the dashboard funding flow and saved payment methods — see How to Fund Your Lava Account.

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What You’ve Done

You installed Lava in your AI chat, signed in, connected a service, and ran your first ask. Your chat can now reach any service in Lava’s catalog through the same set of tools.

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Next Steps