Self-Hosted AI Client · Open Source

Add Custom MCP Tools to Open WebUI

Open WebUI is the most popular self-hosted AI interface. Its tools and pipelines system lets you extend any LLM with custom Python functions. Agent MCP Studio bridges this gap — build your tools visually in the browser and call them from Open WebUI's agent pipeline.

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Two Integration Approaches

Open WebUI supports MCP tools in two ways:

Approach 1: MCP Tool Server (Recommended for Open WebUI 0.5+)

  1. Start bridge.js on your Open WebUI server

    curl -O https://agentmcp.studio/bridge.js
    npm install ws
    # Keep running:
    node bridge.js wss://agentmcp.studio/api/relay/YOUR-UUID

    Open the studio → SettingsMCP Relay Bridge → click Connect. Bridge chip shows 🟢 Live.

  2. Register the MCP server in Open WebUI

    In Open WebUI Admin Panel → SettingsToolsMCP Servers:

    • Type: stdio
    • Command: node /path/to/bridge.js wss://agentmcp.studio/api/relay/YOUR-UUID

    Save. Open WebUI will list all tools from the MCP server in the Tools menu.

Approach 2: Custom Python Tool (All Open WebUI versions)

For older Open WebUI versions, create a Python tool that makes HTTP calls to invoke your browser tools via the relay:

  1. Export tools from Agent MCP Studio

    In the studio, go to Registry → select your tool → Export Python server. This gives you a standalone Python MCP server you can host alongside Open WebUI.

  2. Add the exported tool as an Open WebUI Tool

    In Open WebUI → WorkspaceTools+ → paste the exported Python function. Enable the tool in your model's settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — Open WebUI has MCP support via its Tools system. In Admin Settings → Tools, add your MCP server URL and Open WebUI will proxy tool calls to your Agent MCP Studio session during chat.

Yes — Open WebUI acts as a frontend for Ollama and other local models. MCP tools you expose through Agent MCP Studio are available to any model running in Open WebUI, including local Ollama models like Llama, Mistral, and Qwen.

MCP tool support was introduced in Open WebUI v0.4.0+. Make sure your Open WebUI instance is up to date. The Admin → Tools panel should show an option to add external tool servers.

Yes — MCP tool support is available in all Open WebUI distributions including the self-hosted Community Edition. No paid plan or subscription is required.

Check: (1) tool server URL is reachable from your Open WebUI host, (2) tool was enabled for the model in Admin settings, (3) the model you're using supports function calling, (4) your Agent MCP Studio tab is open and Connected.

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