Connecting an AI Agent

Everything you need to connect an AI client lives on one screen: Dealer.ms → AI Actions, in the Connect an AI Agent section at the top.

1. Get your server address and key

On the AI Actions screen you'll find:

• MCP Server URL - the address your AI client connects to. This is specific to your site.
• Authentication - a dropdown of your DMS API keys. Choose one and its value appears below, ready to copy. If you don't have a key yet, follow the link to your profile page to create one.

What's a DMS API key?

It's a personal access key tied to your WordPress user account - the same kind of key used to connect the DMS mobile app. Anything the AI does using that key happens as you, with your account's permissions. You can create as many as you like and delete one at any time from your profile page.

2. Add the server to your AI client

Below the key section are guides for the major AI clients:

• Claude - add a custom connector via remote MCP.
• Gemini - our step-by-step guide to Gemini Enterprise. It uses OAuth credentials instead of an API key, see Connecting Gemini Enterprise.
• ChatGPT - add a custom connector via Developer Mode.

The Claude and ChatGPT cards link to that vendor's own setup guide. The steps vary by client, but those clients need the MCP Server URL from step 1 and either your API key or One-click Connect (below). Gemini Enterprise follows its own guide.

Not seeing your AI client listed?

Any client that supports the Model Context Protocol (MCP) over a remote HTTP connection will work, even if it isn't one of the three cards shown. Use the same server URL and key with that client's own MCP setup instructions.

Connecting without a key (One-click Connect)

Claude.ai, Claude Desktop and ChatGPT connectors don't have anywhere to paste an API key. For those, turn on One-click Connect (OAuth) on the AI Actions screen. Then:

1. In your AI app, add a custom connector and paste only the MCP Server URL. Leave any key, client ID or secret fields empty.
2. The app opens your site in a browser. Log in if asked.
3. Check the app name and the address you'll be sent back to, then click Allow.

That's it. The app acts as the user who clicked Allow, with that user's permissions. Connected apps are listed on the AI Actions screen, where you can Disconnect any of them. Changing or resetting a user's password also disconnects every app that user approved.

Gemini Enterprise is different

Gemini Enterprise can't register itself, so it needs a Client ID and Secret created by hand. Follow Connecting Gemini Enterprise.

Requirements

One-click Connect needs pretty permalinks (anything other than "Plain" under Settings > Permalinks), and the site must be reachable from the internet. A staging site behind a password prompt won't work.

3. Try it out

Once connected, ask your AI something simple to confirm it's working, for example:

"Search my inventory for trucks under $30,000."

If it comes back with real listings from your site, you're connected. If not, see Troubleshooting.

Which key should I use?

If you're the only person using AI tools against your site, one key is fine. If multiple team members will each connect their own AI client, give each person their own key, created from their own profile page - that way the AI Activity Log shows who did what, and you can revoke one person's access without affecting anyone else's.