Is there a meal planner that works with ChatGPT or Claude?

Yes. CoPantry connects to Claude and ChatGPT through the Model Context Protocol (MCP): in Claude, find CoPantry in the connectors directory and connect it; in ChatGPT, add it as a custom connector. Then ask the assistant to work with your recipes, pantry, meal plan and shopping lists.

What is MCP and why does it matter?

MCP (Model Context Protocol) is an open standard that lets AI assistants use external tools. Because CoPantry supports MCP, you can ask your assistant something like "plan this week around what is in my fridge" and it works with your own CoPantry recipes, pantry and meal plan.

How do I add CoPantry to Claude or ChatGPT?

In Claude (web, desktop or mobile), CoPantry is listed in the connectors directory: find it at https://claude.ai/directory/connectors/copantry and click Connect. In ChatGPT and other assistants that accept a custom (remote) MCP server, paste https://api.copantry.com/mcp into the custom-connector setting. Either way, sign in with your CoPantry account — no API key needed.

Do I need an AI agent, a plugin install, or any code?

No. There is no agent to build, nothing to install and no code to write: you connect CoPantry from Claude's connectors directory or add it as a custom connector in another assistant, sign in with your CoPantry account, and then just talk to the assistant you already use.

Do I need to use AI to use CoPantry?

No. The AI assistant connection is optional. CoPantry works fully on its own in your web browser — the connector is there for people who want to use it from ChatGPT or Claude.

Not a developer?

You don't need this to use CoPantry.

CoPantry is a recipe and meal planning app that anyone can use from a browser or phone. This page explains how to optionally connect an AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT, so you can run CoPantry by just asking. In Claude you connect it from the connectors directory in one click; in other assistants you add it as a custom connector — there is no agent to build and no code to write — and it stays optional: the app works perfectly without it.

Just want to manage recipes? Go straight to the app →

Model Context Protocol · 45 tools available

CoPantry MCP Server

A production-ready MCP implementation that lets Claude, GPT, and any AI assistant read and write your household's recipes, pantry, meal calendar, and shopping lists. Connect it from Claude's connectors directory in one click, or add it to ChatGPT or another assistant as a custom connector — there is no agent to build and no code to write.

Add it to your assistant Get an API key

Available inClaudeChatGPTComing soon

What is MCP?

Model Context Protocol (MCP)

An open standard published by Anthropic that defines a structured protocol for AI assistants to connect to external tools, data sources, and services. MCP lets a language model call functions with typed inputs and receive structured outputs — with full user permission control — without needing custom plugins or API wrappers.

MCP Server

A process or HTTP endpoint that exposes a set of tools, resources, and prompts in the MCP format. When an AI assistant connects to an MCP server, it can discover the available tools, understand their schemas, and invoke them on the user's behalf.

The CoPantry MCP Server

An always-on, stateless HTTP endpoint at https://api.copantry.com/mcp that exposes 45 tools covering your household's recipes, pantry, meal calendar, and shopping lists. It is a standard remote MCP server: connect it from Claude's connectors directory, or add it to ChatGPT or another assistant as a custom connector, and sign in with your CoPantry account — no agent and no code. Every request is authenticated and scoped to a single household. The server is implemented using the official MCP TypeScript SDK .

What your AI assistant can do

Once connected, your AI assistant can handle these requests without you opening the app:

♻️

"Plan a waste-free week using expiring pantry items"

🍝

"Search for a pasta recipe and schedule it for Thursday dinner"

🥩

"Add 500g of chicken breast expiring next Monday to my pantry"

📅

"Show me what's on the meal plan for this week"

🔗

"Queue a recipe from a URL for import"

✅

"Confirm that I cooked tonight's dinner and update the pantry"

🛒

"List everything in my shopping lists"

🥛

"Remove the expired milk from my pantry"

Starter prompt

"Review my pantry (especially expiring items) and my recipe collection. Suggest a 7-day waste-free meal plan, then help me schedule it."

Transport & Authentication

Streamable HTTP

Stateless JSON responses over HTTPS. No WebSocket or session management needed.

OAuth 2.1 or API key

Remote connectors register themselves and sign in with PKCE — no key to paste. File-configured clients send an Authorization: Bearer header. Either way, access is scoped to one household.

MCP SDK 2.0

Implements the official @modelcontextprotocol/sdk server using the latest Streamable HTTP transport.

MCP Endpoint URL

https://api.copantry.com/mcp

Setup guide

Two ways to connect. Most people only need the first.

No agent required

Connect CoPantry to your assistant

In Claude, CoPantry is listed in the connectors directory: find it there and connect it in one click. In ChatGPT and other assistants, add it yourself as a custom connector with the address below. Either way you sign in with your CoPantry account — no API key, no config file, no code and no agent to build.

1In Claude (web, desktop or mobile), open CoPantry in the connectors directory, click Connect and skip to step 3. In ChatGPT or another assistant, open its connector settings and add a custom or remote MCP server — in ChatGPT that is under Settings → Connectors, where availability depends on your plan.
2For a custom connector, paste the CoPantry MCP address below as the server URL.
3Sign in with your CoPantry account and approve access. Then just ask, in your normal chat: “What can I cook tonight with what I have?”

Open CoPantry in Claude's connector directory

MCP server URL

https://api.copantry.com/mcp

Your assistant signs in through CoPantry's own approval screen, so no key is stored in the client and you can revoke access at any time in Settings → AI & MCP.

Prefer a config file? Connect with an API key

For desktop and coding clients that are set up through a file — Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf — or for your own scripts.

Create an API key

Log in to CoPantry and go to Settings → AI & MCP. Name your key (e.g. "Claude Desktop"), then copy it — it is only shown once.

Open API key settings

Configure your MCP client

Add to claude_desktop_config.json — no installation required.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "CoPantry": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://api.copantry.com/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}

Start asking questions

Restart your MCP client (Claude Desktop requires a full restart). Then try:

"Search my CoPantry recipes for something with chicken and schedule it for dinner tomorrow."

Tool Reference

45 tools across 7 categories

MCP SDK v2.0

Built-in Prompts

plan_waste_free_week

Guided prompt that asks the AI to review your pantry (prioritising items expiring soon) and your recipe collection, then suggest a 7-day meal plan that minimises food waste.

"Review my current pantry inventory (especially items expiring soon) and my recipe collection. Suggest a 7-day meal plan that uses up the expiring items and minimises food waste. Once I approve, help me plan those meals in the calendar."

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the MCP server work with Claude, ChatGPT, and other AI assistants?

Yes. CoPantry uses the standard Streamable HTTP transport defined by the MCP specification, which is supported by Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, and any client that implements the MCP protocol. For stdio-only clients, use the @copantry/mcp-server npx package.

Is CoPantry in Claude's or ChatGPT's connector directory?

CoPantry is listed in Claude's connectors directory: on Claude's web, desktop or mobile app, find CoPantry there and click Connect. It is not in ChatGPT's directory yet, but ChatGPT and other assistants let you add a custom (remote) MCP server yourself: paste https://api.copantry.com/mcp into your assistant's custom-connector setting and sign in with your CoPantry account.

Do I need to build an agent, install anything, or write code?

No. Connecting CoPantry from Claude's directory, or adding it as a custom connector in another assistant, takes about a minute — no agent framework, no local install, no code, and no API key. You then talk to your usual assistant in plain language and it calls CoPantry for you. The API key route below exists for desktop and coding clients that are configured through a file, not because it is required.

How is my data secured?

Every API key is scoped to a single household. The server validates the key on every request and only returns data belonging to that household. Keys can be revoked at any time from Settings → AI & MCP.

What happens if I revoke an API key?

Revocation is immediate. Any MCP client using that key will receive a 401 Unauthorized response on its next request. Generate a new key and update your client configuration to restore access.

Are MCP calls counted against a rate limit?

MCP calls are subject to a monthly usage limit to keep the service fast and fair for everyone. You can see your current usage and remaining calls any time in the app under Settings → AI & MCP. Recipes, pantry items, and calendar entries are unlimited.

Can I use the MCP server without the CoPantry app?

The MCP server requires a CoPantry account for authentication and data storage. The app (app.copantry.com) is where you manage your API keys and view your data. The MCP server is the programmatic interface for AI assistants.

Ready to connect your AI?

Connect CoPantry from Claude's connectors directory, add it as a custom connector in ChatGPT or another assistant, or grab an API key for a file-configured client. Either way, it takes about a minute.

Open AI & MCP settings

Free to connect · No credit card required · A monthly limit applies to AI actions