The Backstory: You are using ChatGPT to prepare for a customer meeting and you need account details to give ChatGPT the right context. Rather than switching to Backstory or your CRM to gather that information, you connect ChatGPT to Backstory using the MCP integration so it can access your data directly. This lets you ask about your accounts and opportunities in plain language and get informed, up-to-date answers without leaving your AI chat.
The Backstory MCP integration connects ChatGPT to your Backstory instance so it can securely access your sales and customer data during conversations. It uses MCP (Model Context Protocol), a secure connection method that lets ChatGPT retrieve account information, communication history, and opportunity insights based on your existing Backstory permissions.
Connect ChatGPT to Backstory
Once connected, ChatGPT will have secure access to your Backstory sales data.
Log into ChatGPT.
Click your profile icon in the bottom left corner and select Settings.
Navigate to Apps & Connectors (or Integrations).
Scroll to Advanced settings and toggle on Developer mode.
Click Create in the upper right, then select Add MCP Server.
Configure the connector with these details:
Server Name: Backstory MCP
Server URL: https://mcp.backstory.ai/mcp
Protocol: StreamingHTTP
Authentication Method: OAuth
Click Connect and log in with your Backstory credentials when prompted.
Review the permissions and click Authorize to grant ChatGPT access.
Verify the connection shows Connected status with a green indicator.
Note: The first time you use the integration in a chat, ChatGPT will ask permission to access your Backstory data. Click Allow to proceed.
Test Your Connection
Try asking ChatGPT about a familiar account and explore different question types like:
"Find the account for [Company Name]"
"What's the recent activity for [Account Name]?"
"Show me open opportunities for [Account Name]"
"What are the risks for [Opportunity Name]?"
Explore MCP Examples and Starter Workflows
Once you have connected your AI client to Backstory MCP, explore Backstory’s MCP Starter Library for enablement resources, examples, and starter workflows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find MCP settings in ChatGPT?
MCP integration requires a ChatGPT Plus or higher subscription. It is not available on free ChatGPT plans. If you have Plus or higher but still don't see the option, make sure you've enabled Developer mode in Advanced settings (Step 4 above).
The connection keeps failing. What should I do?
First, verify the Server URL is exactly https://mcp.backstory.ai/mcp (no extra spaces or characters) and that you selected StreamingHTTP as the protocol. Common mistakes include typos in the URL or selecting the wrong protocol type. If issues persist, try disconnecting and reconnecting the integration from your Apps & Connectors settings.
ChatGPT says it can't find my account data. Why?
This usually means the account name is misspelled, the account doesn't exist in your Backstory instance, or you don't have permission to view that account. Try searching with a different account name you know exists, or check with your Backstory administrator about your data access permissions.
Is my data secure when using this integration?
Yes. Your Backstory data never leaves the secure Backstory environment. ChatGPT only sends queries, not your actual data. The integration respects your existing Backstory permissions, so you can only access accounts and data you already have permission to view. All communication uses HTTPS/TLS encryption, and OAuth tokens expire periodically requiring re-authentication.
Can I disconnect the integration later?
Yes. Go to ChatGPT Settings > Apps & Connectors, find the Backstory MCP connection, and click Disconnect. Your Backstory data remains secure and unchanged. You can reconnect at any time by following the setup steps again.
What kind of questions can I ask ChatGPT about my accounts?
You can ask about account information, recent emails and meetings, open opportunities, deal risks, next steps, and get AI-powered insights. Natural language works best. For example: "Show me high-risk opportunities closing this quarter." See the Backstory MCP article for a full list of tools available.
I made a mistake during setup. Do I have to start over?
No. You can edit your MCP server configuration by clicking on it in your Apps & Connectors list, or simply disconnect and reconnect with the correct settings. Your Backstory data isn't affected by connection attempts.
How often do I need to re-authenticate?
OAuth tokens expire periodically for security. When this happens, ChatGPT will prompt you to log in again. Just click through the authentication flow like you did during initial setup. Most users need to re-authenticate every few weeks to maintain secure access.
Need Help?
Contact your Customer Success Manager or support@backstory.ai.