Getting Started with Smart Connect

Smart Connect brings your local tools, files, and servers into the chat you already use. Start a Smart Environment, sign in once, and route safe, auditable actions from ChatGPT to your desktop with readable logs.

What you need

• Smart Connect installed on your machine
  
• A folder you are comfortable exposing to local actions
  
• An internet connection for Official or Custom GPT setup
  
• Optional MCP servers when you want more tools
  

Two fast paths

Use an Official GPT first

• No Custom GPT setup required
  
• Validate end to end routing in minutes
  
• Open the overview from the story CTA and click Open
  
  

Create a Custom GPT when you want more control

• Uses your Local API Key for direct local auth
  
• Keep the GPT URL stored in Smart Connect to avoid misroutes
  
• Follow the setup guide when you are ready
  Setup guide
  

Start your Smart Environment

• Open the Manager and go to the Environments tab
  
• Create an Environment and click Start
  
• Select a folder to grant scoped access
  
• Open Dashboard to see status and Open Logs for developer output
  

Connection settings

• Sign in to enable the Official service
  
• Copy the Local API Key for Custom GPTs
  
• Manage security toggles to control local access
  
• Keep safeguards on unless you have a specific reason to change them
  

Build your Custom GPT

• Open Docs from the Custom GPT tab to confirm fields
  
• Use Auto-setup for the quickest path in Smart Connect
  
• For manual setup, copy the GPT URL and Local API Key
  
• Review the included actions and select what you want to expose
  

Import MCP servers when you want more tools

• Enable a server to import its tools
  
• Select the transport that matches the server
  
• Provide the start command and optional advanced settings
  
• Confirm imported tools appear after a successful import
  
• Enable only what you intend to use
  

Import an MCP server

Manage actions and settings

• Toggle actions and set inbox defaults in Actions
  
• Browse modules from files for Smart Actions
  
• Adjust Alignment action settings as needed
  
• Mirror Smart Plugins settings under Smart Environment settings
  
• Toggle Obsidian Vault on if the selected folder is an Obsidian vault
  

Validate it works

• Open the Official GPT or your Custom GPT
  
• Ask for a simple action that reads a file inside your selected folder
  
• Watch Open Logs in the environment to confirm the call chain
  
• Keep validation small and reversible until you are confident