# Strapi setup for PopMCP

You paste two values into PopMCP: your Strapi site address and an API token created under Settings, Global settings, API Tokens in your Strapi admin panel. An admin token is optional and adds unpublishing, folders and bulk actions.

- Auth: API credentials
- Setup time: 2 min
- API base URL: https://YOUR-SITE/api/
- Credentials screen: https://YOUR-SITE/admin/settings/api-tokens (replace YOUR-SITE with your Strapi site)
- Provider docs: https://docs.strapi.io/cms/features/api-tokens

## Before you begin

- A Strapi site on Strapi Cloud, or self-hosted on a public https address. A Strapi running only on your own computer cannot be reached
- An admin panel account that can open the API Tokens settings page. Super Admins can by default
- Optional: a recent Strapi 5, if you also want an admin token

## Get your credentials

### 1. Open API Tokens in your Strapi admin panel

Sign in to your admin panel, usually your site address followed by `/admin`, for example `https://your-project.strapiapp.com/admin`. Click Settings in the left menu, then API Tokens under Global settings.

Screen: https://YOUR-SITE/admin/settings/api-tokens (replace YOUR-SITE with your Strapi site)

### 2. Create a Full access token

Click Create new API Token. Name it `PopMCP`, set Token duration to Unlimited so it does not stop working later, and set Token type to Full access. Click Save. Choose Read-only only if the AI should never change anything: a read-only token also cannot read your field lists or locales.

Screen: https://YOUR-SITE/admin/settings/api-tokens/create (replace YOUR-SITE with your Strapi site)

### 3. Copy the token

Strapi shows the new token at the top of the page with a copy button. Copy it now. Unless your project has set up token encryption, Strapi will not show it again.

Screen: https://YOUR-SITE/admin/settings/api-tokens (replace YOUR-SITE with your Strapi site)

### 4. Optional: create an admin token

API tokens cannot unpublish, discard drafts, run bulk actions or manage folders, releases and webhooks, because Strapi's Content API has no routes for them. To add those, open Settings, then Admin Tokens under Administration Panel, and click Create new Admin Token. Tick what it may do and click Save. The token is shown only once, and it stops working if its owner is removed or blocked. This page exists only on recent Strapi 5 versions. Skip this step if you do not need it.

Screen: https://YOUR-SITE/admin/settings/admin-tokens (replace YOUR-SITE with your Strapi site)

### 5. Paste the values into PopMCP and connect

In PopMCP open Strapi, enter your site address and paste the API token. Add the admin token under More options if you made one. Click Connect Strapi. PopMCP checks that the address is a Strapi site and that the token works, then names the connection after your site.

Screen: https://app.popmcp.com/marketplace

## Fields PopMCP asks for

- Site address (siteUrl) [required]: The address your Strapi admin panel opens on. Strapi Cloud projects look like https://your-project.strapiapp.com.
- API token (apiToken) [required]: From Settings, Global settings, API Tokens. Choose Full access, and Unlimited if you do not want to renew it. Stored encrypted.
- Admin token (adminToken): Optional. Adds unpublishing, folders, bulk actions, releases and webhooks. From Settings, Administration Panel, Admin Tokens, on recent Strapi 5 versions.

## Verify

PopMCP checks that your address answers as Strapi, then that it accepts the token, and marks the connection Verified under your site's address, noting whether the token can read your field lists. Asking the AI for a site overview returns your content types with how many entries each has.

## Troubleshooting

### "... does not answer like a Strapi site ..." or "... answered, but not like Strapi ..."

Cause: The address is not your Strapi site, or the site is offline, private to your network, or behind a firewall.

Fix: Enter the address your admin panel opens on, without `/admin`. It must be reachable from the internet over https, and a firewall in front of it has to let PopMCP through.

### "... is not a public internet address ..."

Cause: The address points at `localhost` or a private network, which PopMCP cannot reach.

Fix: Deploy Strapi somewhere public, such as Strapi Cloud, and connect that address.

### "... runs Strapi, but its Content API is not at /api ..."

Cause: Your project changed the REST prefix in `config/api`.

Fix: Add the prefix to the address, for example `https://cms.example.com/v1`.

### "Strapi ... did not accept this API token ..." or "This API token has expired ..."

Cause: The token was cut off when copied, was deleted or regenerated, or its duration ran out.

Fix: Create a new token under Settings, Global settings, API Tokens, with Unlimited duration if you do not want to renew it, and paste the whole value.

### "That is an admin token ..."

Cause: An admin token went into the API token field. Strapi refuses each kind on the other's routes.

Fix: Paste an API token in that field. The admin token goes under **More options**.

### A tool answers that it "needs an admin token"

Cause: That action exists only on Strapi's Admin API, such as unpublishing or managing folders.

Fix: Create an admin token, then reconnect Strapi in PopMCP and paste it under **More options**.

### A tool answers "This API token may not do this"

Cause: The token is Read-only, or a Custom token without that action ticked.

Fix: Open the token in Strapi and tick what the error names, or use a Full access token.

### An entry you know exists comes back as not found, or a list looks empty

Cause: Reads return published versions by default, so an unpublished draft does not show.

Fix: Ask the AI to read drafts: the tools take `status: draft`.

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Source: https://www.docs.popmcp.com/docs/integrations/strapi/