Connect AI Assistants via MCP with WP Travel Engine
Connect an AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT to your WP Travel Engine site so you can check bookings and trip details without opening your WordPress dashboard.
What MCP does
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. In plain terms, it lets an AI assistant connect to your WP Travel Engine site.
Once it is connected, the assistant can read trip, booking, and customer information from your site. If you allow write access, it can also update or create some records for you.
This gives you another way to get answers. Instead of opening WordPress and clicking through different screens, you can ask a question in normal language and get the information back.
For example, if a traveler calls while you are away from your desk, you can ask your assistant from your phone about that booking instead of logging in to WordPress on a small screen.
That is the main idea. Next, here is what that helps with in everyday work.
Benefits at a glance
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Live data access | Your assistant checks the real trips, bookings, and customer details on your site. You do not need to copy details by hand. |
| Two connection methods | You can choose the setup that fits your tool - Application Password for local tools like Claude Code and Cursor, or OAuth for browser tools like Claude.ai and ChatGPT. |
| One-click client setup | Claude Code, Cursor, and VS Code give you a ready command or link to speed up setup. You do not need to build the connection from scratch. |
| Granular tool access | Each read or write action is a separate tool. You can see what the assistant is allowed to do before you approve access. |
| Write actions gated | Creating or updating trips, bookings, coupons, or settings always needs an admin-level WordPress user. |
| Revocable anytime | You can turn off a connection any time without changing your normal WordPress login. |
These benefits matter most when you need an answer quickly. Before you connect anything, make sure the basics are ready.
Prerequisites
Before you start, make sure these three things are in place.
- WP Travel Engine is installed and activated on your WordPress site.
- The Altus AI plugin is installed and activated.
- You have a WordPress admin login ready. Some steps will send you to a sign-in screen so you can approve access.
New to Altus AI? Follow the Getting Started with Altus AI guide first to install the add-on and activate your license key.
Once that is ready, the next step is to make sure the MCP part of Altus AI is turned on.
Verify the MCP module is active
Before you connect an AI assistant, make sure the MCP module is turned on in Altus AI. If it is off, the connection will not work.
Open the Modules page
You are checking the main switch first. This saves time before you set anything else up.
Go to your WordPress dashboard. In the left sidebar, open Altus AI > Modules.
Confirm MCP is active
This shows whether the feature is available on your site.
Find the MCP card. Make sure it shows Active and that the toggle is switched on.
Open the configuration screen
This takes you to the place where you will copy the connection details for your AI tool.
Click Configure on the MCP card. You can also go to Altus AI > MCP in the left sidebar to open the same screen.
If MCP does not stay active after you turn it on, click Save Settings at the bottom of the Modules screen.
Now that MCP is on, it helps to know what the assistant will be allowed to see and change.
Understand read vs. write access
Every connected assistant can use Altus AI's read tools. These tools let it view trips, bookings, customers, coupons, payments, and analytics.
Write tools let the assistant create or update things like trips, bookings, coupons, customers, packages, and global settings. These actions always require an admin-level WordPress user, no matter which client you connect.
A read tool is like letting someone look at your booking list. A write tool is like giving them a pen so they can add or change something on that list.
For example, a read tool can answer a question like "How many Everest Base Camp bookings came in this week?" A write tool can update a coupon for a seasonal group discount or change a booking status.
Only connect Altus MCP to assistants and accounts you trust. A connected assistant with write access can create bookings, change prices, and edit customer data on your live site. Review the Available tools list before granting access. Click any tool to see exactly what it does.
Once you are comfortable with that, you can choose the connection method that matches the AI tool you use.
Choose a connection method
On Altus AI > MCP, you will see the Add Altus to your client area with two setup options. You need to choose the one that matches the AI tool you want to connect.
OAuth is a sign-in method where you approve a connection by logging in to WordPress. You do not need to copy a password.
An Application Password is a special password that WordPress creates for one connection. It is not your normal login password. You can remove it any time.
Think of OAuth like signing in with Google on a website. You click a button, log in, and approve access.
Think of an Application Password like a spare key for one door. It only works for that connection. You can take it back whenever you want.
| Method | Use it for | Where it lives |
|---|---|---|
| OAuth | Browser-based tools that sign in through your site instead of storing a fixed password - Claude (Desktop, Mobile & Web) and ChatGPT | OAuth tab |
| Application Password | Local tools that run on your own computer and store their own connection details - Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Continue, or other tools that support this kind of connection | Editors & CLI tab |
Pick the method below that matches your tool. Then follow those steps from start to finish.
Method A: OAuth - for Claude and ChatGPT
Use this method if you want to connect browser-based tools. This is the best fit for Claude and ChatGPT.
Connect Claude (Desktop, Mobile & Web)
Use this option if you want to connect Claude on desktop, mobile, or the web. This is a good fit if you want to ask booking or trip questions without working in a coding tool.
What you will need before you start - your WordPress admin login and the MCP Server URL from Altus AI > MCP on the OAuth tab.
Select Claude in the OAuth tab
This shows the correct connection details for Claude.
Go to Altus AI > MCP in your WordPress dashboard. Under the OAuth tab, select Claude (Desktop, Mobile & Web).
Add a custom connector in Claude
This creates the connection inside Claude.
Open Claude. Then go to Settings > Connectors > Add custom connector. This option is available on Desktop, mobile app, or web on a Pro, Team, or Enterprise plan.
Paste the MCP Server URL
This tells Claude where your WP Travel Engine data lives.
Give the connector a name, such as "Altus" or your company name. Then paste the MCP Server URL shown on the Altus screen by using the Copy button.
Leave Advanced settings empty
Most sites do not need anything extra here.
Dynamic Client Registration is an automatic setup process. You do not need to fill anything in.
Sign in and approve
This is the point where you give Claude permission to connect to your site.
Click Add in Claude. When Claude sends you to your site, sign in with your WordPress account and approve the connection.
No application password is needed for this method. You sign in with your normal WordPress login to approve access.
Test the connection
A quick test helps you confirm everything worked before you rely on it.
Start a new conversation in Claude. Turn on the connector and ask a read-only question first, such as "How many bookings do I have this month?"
If the answer comes back with real data from your site, Claude is connected and ready to use.
If your setup cannot use Dynamic Client Registration, open Advanced: manual OAuth client (optional) and click Show OAuth Client ID / Secret fields. Click Generate next to each field to create them manually. You can also leave both blank and let Dynamic Client Registration handle it. Most setups will not need this.
Connect ChatGPT
Use this option if you already work in ChatGPT and want it to answer questions using the trips and bookings on your site.
What you will need before you start - a paid ChatGPT plan, your WordPress admin login, and the Server URL shown on the OAuth tab in Altus AI > MCP.
ChatGPT places custom connections behind a setting called Developer Mode. In this case, that setting means ChatGPT will let you add your own connector.
Turn on Developer Mode
You need this setting on before ChatGPT will let you add Altus.
Sign in to chatgpt.com on a paid plan. Click your profile icon in the bottom-left corner. Go to Settings > Security and Login. Scroll to the Developer Mode toggle. Turn it on and confirm the warning about connecting unverified connectors.
Add Altus as a custom app
This tells ChatGPT how to reach your site.
Stay in Settings > Plugins and click the + icon in the top-right corner.
Fill in a Name with your site or business name. Add a clear Description so ChatGPT knows when to use it. For example, you might describe it as helping with trekking bookings, day tours, or multi-day package questions. Paste the Server URL from Altus's OAuth tab. Set Authentication to OAuth, check the risk acknowledgment box, and click Create.
Authorize the connection
This is where you approve access from your WordPress site.
ChatGPT sends you to your WordPress site's approval screen. Review the permissions and click Authorize. Then you return to ChatGPT and the connector appears under installed plugins.
Use it in a conversation
A short test shows whether the connection is working.
Open a new ChatGPT conversation. Click + > More and select your Altus connector. You need to do this for each new conversation. Test with a read-only prompt first, such as "Give me the latest booking?" or "Show me this week's day tour bookings."
If ChatGPT answers with live information from your site, the setup is complete.
ChatGPT limits write access based on your plan. Plus and Pro are read-only, even though Altus shows write tools. Team allows limited write actions. Business, Enterprise, and Edu get full read and write support. If you are on Plus or Pro and need write access, connect through Claude instead.
Method B: Application Password - for Cursor, VS Code, Claude Code, and other local clients
Use this method for tools that run on your own computer. These tools send the Application Password securely each time they contact your site. You do not need to run a separate local server for this.
Create your application password
You need this password before tools like Cursor, VS Code, or Claude Code can talk to your site.
What you will need before you start - your WordPress admin login and access to Altus AI > MCP in the left sidebar of your dashboard.
Open the Editors and CLI tab
This is where WordPress creates the special password for your connection.
Go to Altus AI > MCP in your WordPress dashboard. Then switch to the Editors & CLI tab.
Name the credential
A name helps you remember what this password is for later.
Under Create an application password, you can enter a Name to label the password. If you leave it blank, it defaults to "Altus."
Generate the password
This creates the password that your tool will use to connect.
Click Generate another application password.
After WordPress shows this password, you will not be able to view it again. Save it right away.
Connect Claude Code
Choose this if you or someone on your team uses Claude Code. One step uses a terminal. A terminal is a text-based screen where you type commands instead of clicking buttons.
What you will need before you start - Claude Code installed on your computer and the connection command shown under the Claude Code CLI area.
Start Claude Code
You need Claude Code open before you add the connection.
Open a terminal in your project folder and start Claude Code by running claude.
Copy the connection command
This command carries the connection details into Claude Code.
Copy the command shown under the Claude Code CLI tab. It is a claude mcp add command with your endpoint URL. The password is included only if you copy the command right after generating it. If you copy it later, add the saved password yourself.
Run the command
Running the command saves the connection inside Claude Code.
Paste the command into your terminal and run it.
Confirm the connection
This last check tells you whether Claude Code can reach your site.
Start a new Claude Code session and check that the server shows as connected. Claude Code usually shows connected MCP servers at startup or through a status command.
If it shows as connected, your team can ask for live booking or trip information without leaving the coding tool.
Connect Cursor
Choose this if you use Cursor on your computer. The setup uses a deep link. A deep link is a link that opens a specific program with the connection details already filled in.
What you will need before you start - Cursor installed on your computer and the Add to Cursor button on the Editors & CLI screen.
Open the deep link
This gives Cursor the connection details without typing them by hand.
Click Add to Cursor under the Cursor tab. This opens a cursor:// deep link with the endpoint URL and the connection details already filled in.
Use the fallback if needed
This gives you another way to connect if the button does not open the app.
If Cursor does not open or is not installed, expand Cursor not installed, or the button didn't open it? Copy the prompt instead, and paste that prompt into Cursor's chat.
Confirm the connection
A quick check shows whether Cursor can reach your site.
Cursor shows the server as connected once it can reach your site. Its tools then appear in chat and composer.
If you see the tools, the setup is working.
Connect VS Code
Choose this if you use VS Code on your computer. The button opens VS Code and prepares the connection for you.
What you will need before you start - VS Code installed on your computer and the Add to VS Code button on the Editors & CLI screen.
Open the deep link
This sends the connection details into VS Code.
Click Add to VS Code under the VS Code tab. This opens a vscode: deep link that installs the server as an HTTP MCP server, with the endpoint URL and connection details already filled in.
Use the fallback if needed
This gives you another path if the app does not open from the button.
If VS Code does not open or is not installed, expand the fallback prompt option and paste it into VS Code's chat.
Confirm the connection
This final check confirms VS Code can talk to your site.
VS Code lists the server as connected once it can reach your site. Its tools then appear in Copilot Chat.
If the server appears as connected, the setup is complete.
Connect Continue or other tools
Choose this if your tool is not listed above. It also works for Continue and other tools that support this kind of connection.
What you will need before you start - the saved Application Password and the setup prompt shown on the Continue or Other (SSE) area.
Select the matching tab
You want the instructions that match your tool.
Select the Continue tab, or Other (SSE) if your client is not listed.
Copy the setup prompt
This prompt includes the details your tool needs.
Copy the prompt shown on screen. It includes the endpoint URL, your Application Password, and the setup instructions your client needs.
Paste it into your client
This completes the setup inside your tool.
Paste the prompt into your client to complete the setup.
Confirm the connection works
The best first test is a read-only question. This avoids changing anything on your site while you confirm the setup.
Open a new conversation and ask something like "What trips do I have listed?" or "Show me my upcoming group tour bookings."
If the assistant answers with real data from your site, the connection is working. That means you are ready to use it in day-to-day work.
If it fails, generate a new Application Password on the Editors & CLI tab. Then copy the command or link again. Also confirm the MCP module is still active under Altus AI > Modules.
Now that the connection is working, it helps to know what tools the assistant can use.
Available tools
Once the connection is working, the assistant can use the tools listed below. Some tools only read information. Others can create or change information, based on the read and write rules explained earlier.
For example, a read tool might help you check how many bookings came in for a trekking package this week. A write tool might update a coupon or change a booking status.
Read tools
get-analytics, get-booking, get-coupon, get-customer, get-enquiry, get-global-settings, get-payment, get-trip, get-trip-packages, list-bookings, list-coupons, list-customers, list-enquiries, list-payments, list-taxonomy-terms, list-trips, map
Write tools
assign-trip-taxonomies, create-booking, create-coupon, create-trip, manage-taxonomy-term, update-booking, update-coupon, update-customer, update-global-settings, update-package, update-trip, upload-media, write-addon-entity
Click any tool on the Available tools list in your dashboard to see exactly what it does before granting access.
If you ever need to stop access, you can do that at any time.
Revoke access
If a device is lost, a staff member leaves, or you no longer want a tool connected, you can remove access from the same MCP settings screen.
What you will need before you start - access to Altus AI > MCP in your WordPress dashboard.
Open the MCP settings
This is where both connection types are managed.
Go to Altus AI > MCP in your WordPress dashboard.
Revoke an Application Password connection
Use this when you want to disconnect tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or VS Code.
Open the Editors & CLI tab. Expand Manage existing application password, then revoke the credential. This breaks the connection for every client using that password.
Revoke an OAuth connection
Use this when you want to disconnect Claude or ChatGPT.
Open the OAuth tab. Expand Advanced: manual OAuth client and click Reset OAuth. This invalidates the client and disconnects every assistant that was authorized through it.
Revoke access right away if a device, staff member, or account no longer needs it. A connection with write access can change live bookings, pricing, and customer details.
That covers control and safety. Next are a few real-world examples.
Use cases
Managing bookings from Claude Desktop while traveling
Situation: You are away from your laptop and need to check or update a booking while traveling.
Implementation: Connect Claude (Desktop, Mobile & Web) through OAuth by following Method A. Then ask Claude questions such as "Show me today's new bookings" or "Update booking #16668's payment status."
Benefit: You can manage live bookings from your phone or any device with Claude installed, without opening your WordPress dashboard.
Checking trip data from a coding tool
Situation: If you work with a developer on your team, they can use this method to pull live trip and booking data while working in their code editor.
Implementation: Generate an Application Password under the Editors & CLI tab. Then run the provided claude mcp add command in the project terminal. After that, Claude Code can pull specific trip or booking records while they work.
Benefit: Your developer gets real site data directly in their coding environment, without switching to your WordPress dashboard or exporting data by hand.
If something does not work the first time, start with the checks below.
Troubleshooting
I added the connection, but I cannot see it
Check that the MCP module is still active under Altus AI > Modules. If it was turned off, the connector will not appear or work.
Claude or ChatGPT will not approve the connection
Make sure you copied the MCP Server URL exactly from the OAuth tab. Then make sure you are signing in with a WordPress account that has access.
ChatGPT answers questions, but it will not make changes
Check your ChatGPT plan. Plus and Pro accounts are read-only, even if Altus shows write tools.
Cursor, VS Code, or another local tool will not connect
Generate a new Application Password under Editors & CLI. Then copy the full command or link again. A partial copy can fail.
The Cursor or VS Code button did not open the app
Use the fallback option that says to copy the prompt instead. Then paste that prompt into the app yourself.
I cannot see my trips when I ask the AI assistant
Check that the MCP module is still active under Altus AI > Modules. Also confirm that your connection was authorized successfully.
The connection worked before but stopped
The Application Password may have been revoked. The MCP module may also have been turned off. Check both.
I am not sure which connection method to pick
If you use Claude or ChatGPT in your browser, use OAuth. If you use Cursor, VS Code, or a coding tool, use Application Password.
I shared my application password with someone - what should I do?
Go to Altus AI > MCP, open the Editors & CLI tab, and revoke that password right away. Then generate a new one and reconnect your own tools. The old password stops working the moment you revoke it.
The AI gave me an answer that does not match my site
Try asking the question again. The AI may have pulled from older data or made an error. If it keeps happening, check that the MCP module is still active under Altus AI > Modules and that your connection is still authorized.
Frequently asked questions
If you're still stuck or have a question we didn't cover, our support team is happy to help. Reach out at our support page and we'll get you sorted.