What the Onward MCP is
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants securely connect to apps. The Onward MCP server lets an AI assistant you already use read and, where enabled, update your Onward data, including orders, package protection claims, return requests, shipment tracking, customers, CashBack rewards, subscriptions, and product settings for Checkout+, Returns, Order Editing, and Track.
This connector lets you chat with your data in plain language. For example, you can ask:
“Which claims are pending merchant action this week?”
“Show me return requests waiting for manual review.”
“What is our current return window setting?”
Who can connect
Anyone with an Onward dashboard login can connect. You sign in with your normal Onward account during setup. The AI assistant sees exactly the shops, records, and settings your dashboard role can see, and nothing more.
If your organization has multiple shops, the tools span every shop you can access unless you name a shop in your request.
Adding Onward to Claude or ChatGPT is done once by an admin of that workspace; after that, members connect with their own Onward login. Claude Code needs no admin because each user adds the server locally.
Supported assistants
Client | How to connect |
Claude (Desktop, web, and Cowork) | |
Claude Code | |
ChatGPT |
Any MCP client that supports remote servers with OAuth sign-in can connect using https://app.useonward.com/mcp.
Connection details
Detail | Value |
Server URL |
|
Sign-in | Your Onward login through a browser sign-in flow |
Access requested | “View your shop's data and settings” and “Update your shop's data and settings” |
Session | The assistant stays connected until you disconnect it in the assistant or sign out of Onward |
Read and write actions
Read tools look up information. Write tools change data, including approving, declining, or processing returns, adding Checkout+ protection to an order, and changing settings.
The assistant acts as you. The same permission checks as the dashboard apply, and changes are recorded in your settings audit history. Confirm the request before running a write action.
See the Onward MCP tools reference for the complete list.
Disconnecting
Remove the Onward connector in the assistant you use. The assistant loses access to your Onward data immediately; reconnecting starts the sign-in flow again.