Orb Cloud MCP for ChatGPT web

Connect ChatGPT on the web to Orb Cloud using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Once connected, you can ask ChatGPT to retrieve Orb Scores and measurements, investigate connectivity problems, check Orb status, and run supported tests using your Orb Cloud data.

Requirements

Before connecting Orb Cloud, you need:

• An Orb Cloud account with access to the Space(s) you want to query
• An Orb Cloud API key
• A ChatGPT account with access to Developer mode
• Permission to create custom MCP apps in your ChatGPT account or workspace

Full MCP support, including actions that modify data or trigger operations, depends on your ChatGPT plan and workspace policy. In a managed ChatGPT workspace, an administrator may need to enable Developer mode or authorize you to create custom apps.

Step 1: Create an Orb Cloud API key

1. Sign in to Orb Cloud.
2. Open Orchestration.
3. Create a new API key for ChatGPT.
4. Grant at least:
   • Organizations: Read
   • Devices: Read
   • MCP
5. Add Devices: Stream if you want ChatGPT to access real-time data.
6. Grant the applicable device-action permission if you want ChatGPT to trigger speed tests.
7. Copy the API key.

Step 2: Enable Developer mode

The available controls depend on your ChatGPT plan and workspace role.

ChatGPT Business

Workspace administrators and owners can enable Developer mode while creating the app:

1. Open Workspace settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Click Create.
4. Enable Developer mode when prompted.

ChatGPT Enterprise or Education

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Apps.
3. Open Advanced Settings.
4. Turn on Developer mode.

Your workspace administrator may need to grant Developer mode access before the toggle appears.

Step 3: Add the Orb Cloud MCP server

1. Open Settings → Apps → Create.

   Workspace administrators can also use Workspace settings → Apps → Create.

2. Enter the following details:

   • Name: Orb Cloud
   • Description: Access Orb Cloud scores, measurements, events, devices, and supported tests.
   • MCP server URL: https://panel.orb.net/mcp

3. Select API key as the authentication method.

4. Enter your Orb Cloud API key.

   If ChatGPT asks for separate header settings, use:

   Header name: Authorization
   Header value: Bearer orb-ok1-YourAPIToken

5. Click Scan Tools and wait for ChatGPT to discover the tools exposed by Orb Cloud.

6. Review the discovered tools.

7. Click Create.

After configuration, the app appears under Settings → Apps → Enabled Apps with a Dev label. In a managed workspace, it also appears as a draft under Workspace settings → Apps → Drafts.

Step 4: Test Orb Cloud in ChatGPT

1. Start a new ChatGPT conversation.
2. Select Orb Cloud from the available apps or tools.
3. Ask ChatGPT a question about your Orb Cloud data.

For example:

Use Orb Cloud to show me which of my Orbs had the lowest score today.

Explicitly naming Orb Cloud helps ensure that ChatGPT uses the integration rather than general knowledge or web search.

Using the Integration

See Using the Integration in the Orb Cloud MCP guide for additional example prompts and supported workflows.

Publishing in a Managed Workspace

A workspace administrator or owner can publish the Orb Cloud app for other members:

1. Open Workspace settings → Apps → Drafts.
2. Select Orb Cloud.
3. Review its tools, API-key permissions, and safety warnings.
4. Click Publish.

Once published, Orb Cloud appears in the workspace's approved apps.

Refreshing the Integration

ChatGPT stores a snapshot of the tools provided by the Orb Cloud MCP server. If Orb adds or changes MCP tools:

1. Open Settings → Apps.
2. Select Orb Cloud.
3. Click Refresh.
4. Review any new or updated tools.
5. Start a new conversation before testing the changes.

For a published workspace app, an administrator may need to review and publish the updated version. On ChatGPT Business, a published app may need to be recreated and republished when its tools or metadata change.

Rotating or Revoking the API Key

To replace a ChatGPT API key:

1. Create a replacement key in Orb Cloud with the required permissions.
2. Update the authentication settings for the Orb Cloud app in ChatGPT.
3. Confirm the app can still scan and call its tools.
4. Revoke the old key in Orb Cloud.

If ChatGPT does not allow the authentication settings of a published app to be changed, recreate and republish the app using the replacement key.

Troubleshooting

Developer mode is not available

Developer mode availability depends on your ChatGPT plan, workspace role, and workspace policy. Ask a workspace administrator to confirm that Developer mode and custom MCP apps are enabled for your account.

ChatGPT cannot scan the Orb Cloud tools

Confirm that:

• The MCP server URL is exactly https://panel.orb.net/mcp
• API key is selected as the authentication method
• The Orb Cloud API key is valid and has not been revoked
• The authorization header uses the Bearer scheme if ChatGPT asks for a complete header value

Orb Cloud does not appear in a conversation

• Confirm that the Orb Cloud app was created successfully
• Start a new conversation after creating or refreshing the app
• Select Orb Cloud from the available apps or tools
• Refer to Orb Cloud explicitly in your prompt

No Orbs or Spaces are returned

Confirm that the API key:

• Has Organizations: Read and Devices: Read permissions
• Has access to the correct Orb Cloud Space
• Has not been regenerated or revoked

ChatGPT cannot trigger a speed test

Confirm that:

• Your ChatGPT plan and workspace allow write actions
• The Orb Cloud app includes the speed-test tool
• The API key has the required device-action permission
• The selected Orb is online

A new Orb Cloud tool is missing

Open the Orb Cloud app settings and click Refresh. For a published workspace app, an administrator may need to review and republish the app. On ChatGPT Business, the app may need to be recreated and republished.

Support

For additional help connecting ChatGPT web to Orb Cloud:

• Join our Discord community
• Contact the Orb team
• Visit the Orb Cloud MCP guide for authentication and troubleshooting details