Connect BankSync to Grok

xAI's Grok supports remote MCP tools via the xAI API and SDK — the grok.com web and X app UI do not support connecting custom MCP servers. Use BankSync with Grok through the xAI API.

Prerequisites

A BankSync account with at least one connected bank
An API key with all permission scopes (created from Workspace menu → Developers)

Note: MCP server connections to Grok are programmatic (API-level only). You need an xAI API key and must call the API directly or via the xAI SDK.

xAI API (OpenAI-compatible)

Use the xAI Responses API to give Grok access to BankSync MCP tools:

xAI API with BankSync MCP

import OpenAI from 'openai'

const client = new OpenAI({
  apiKey: process.env.XAI_API_KEY,
  baseURL: 'https://api.x.ai/v1',
})

const response = await client.responses.create({
  model: 'grok-3',
  tools: [
    {
      type: 'mcp',
      server_url: 'https://mcp.banksync.io',
      server_label: 'banksync',
      headers: {
        'X-API-Key': process.env.BANKSYNC_API_KEY,
      },
    },
  ],
  input: 'What is my current account balance?',
})

Verify Your Connection

After configuring your client, restart it and try these prompts to verify the connection is working:

“List my workspaces”

“What banks do I have connected?”

“What’s my checking account balance?”

Troubleshooting

“No tools available” or MCP server not listed

Make sure you restarted your AI client after editing the configuration file.
Verify the JSON is valid (no trailing commas, correct brackets).
Check that the URL is exactly https://mcp.banksync.io.

“Authentication failed” or “Invalid API key”

Confirm the key starts with bsk_ and has not been revoked.
Ensure the key is in the headers object under X-API-Key.
Check for accidental whitespace or newlines around the key value.

Tools are listed but return errors

Verify your API key has the required scopes. For full access, select all scopes when creating the key.
Make sure you have at least one bank connected in the BankSync app.
Check that you are passing the correct workspace ID when prompted.

Connection timeout or network errors

The MCP server uses Streamable HTTP transport. Ensure your network or proxy allows outbound HTTPS connections.
If using a VPN or firewall, allow connections to mcp.banksync.io.
Try the connection from a different network to rule out local issues.
If your client does not support remote HTTP servers, use the npm package instead: npx -y @banksync/mcp

Debugging with MCP Inspector

Use the MCP Inspector to test the connection independently of your AI client.
Run: npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --url https://mcp.banksync.io --header "X-API-Key: bsk_your_key"
If the Inspector connects successfully but your client does not, the issue is with your client configuration.