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Give an agent more folders and MCP servers

An agent works in its project folder, or its worktree, and nothing outside it. When the work spans two repositories, or needs a tool only an MCP server offers, you can give a new agent more before it starts.

Before you start

  • A project on this Mac. See Add a project.
  • For an MCP server, the command that starts it, as you would type it in Terminal.

Steps

  1. Unfold the project in the sidebar and click New session, the first row under it (or press ⌘N).
  2. Above the prompt, click Reach: this folder (Folders and MCP servers this agent may reach).

A sheet opens, with Folders and MCP servers. The project's folder is listed first and cannot be removed. 3. To add a folder, click Add a folder and pick it. Click × beside one to take it off again. 4. To add an MCP server, type a Name and the Command, as you would type it, then click Add. 5. Click Done.

The capsule now says what the agent reaches, such as Reach: 2 folders · 1 MCP. 6. Type the prompt and send it.

The runtime is told about every folder listed, where it can take more than one, and what the app does for the agent reaches them too: reading and writing files for it, show_file, and the files @ offers. Writes still go through the permission question. The MCP servers are started for this agent only.

The choice is made when the agent starts, and cannot be changed afterwards. To give every agent the same MCP servers, put them in ~/.agents instead; see Share skills, instructions and servers with every agent.

If it doesn't work

  • There is no Reach capsule. It is shown only before the first prompt of a new session. Start a new one.
  • The agent says a tool from the server is missing. A server that will not start is reported on the agent and does not stop it. Check the command in Terminal.