External AI connections · MCP

Your manuscripts and notes.
Part of your Codex conversation.

Bring the story you have been building in NovelShaft into a conversation with Codex. Read your manuscript, explore the next scene, and save the ideas you choose back to your work.

Public access is being prepared

You cannot connect yet. This page explains the planned writing experience and what you will need. No account changes are needed now; setup commands will appear here when access opens.

Start with the work you have already written.

MCP is a way for an AI app to connect to another service. Here, it lets Codex work with manuscripts and reference materials stored in NovelShaft, without you copying them into every conversation.

NovelShaftYour manuscript and notes
CodexRead, discuss, and write
NovelShaftSave the changes you choose

Codex is an AI tool from OpenAI. In this workflow, Codex helps you think and write; NovelShaft keeps your work, reference materials, and editing history together.

Three ways to continue your story.

These examples show how the connection is intended to support your writing once public access opens.

Plan the next scene

Use the character notes and scenes you have already written to give the conversation a starting point.

Read the character notes and the end of chapter 1 in ‘My Story’. Suggest three ways the next scene could begin. Keep the ideas in this conversation for now.

Compare the ideas in Codex and choose which direction to develop.

Review a draft against your notes

Ask for a focused review of a scene, a character's voice, or the order of events.

Compare the dialogue in chapter 2 of ‘My Story’ with the character notes. Point out anything I should review, with the relevant passages. Do not edit the manuscript yet.

Use the suggestions as a starting point and check the original text before deciding what to change.

Keep the decisions you make

Turn an agreed character detail or scene outline into reference material for your next writing session.

Add the character background we just agreed on to the reference materials for ‘My Story’. Keep the existing notes and append the new details.

Open the work in NovelShaft to review the saved result and continue writing there.

When you want to explore ideas first, say so before asking for an edit. AI suggestions may need correction; check the saved text in your work.

What you will need to connect.

A NovelShaft account. Use the account that owns the works you want to access.
A computer with Codex CLI. Initial setup uses the codex command in a terminal. These connection settings are shared with the Codex app on the same computer.

You do not need to install or run a NovelShaft server. The initial guide covers Codex; other AI apps will be added after their connections have been tested.

The setup process after launch

Register NovelShaft in Codex
Run the setup command that will be shown on this page or in account settings.
Sign in and allow access
Review the app name and access in the NovelShaft sign-in flow. You do not give Codex your password or a verification code.
Ask Codex to show your works
Ask ‘Show me my works in NovelShaft.’ Once your works appear, choose one and start your conversation.

There is nothing to register yet. Return to this page for the setup commands when public access opens.

Know what you are allowing.

Access covers all your works: This includes works you create after connecting. Access is not granted one work at a time. The connection can read and edit manuscripts and reference materials, and use supported account settings and usage information within your account's permissions.
Deleting or publishing needs your confirmation: For important actions such as deleting or publishing a work, Codex provides a NovelShaft confirmation link. Read the action and its contents there before executing it. Ordinary manuscript and reference edits can be saved directly through the connection.
External AI fees and storage limits still apply: Reading and saving through this connection does not use NovelShaft AI credits. Codex's own usage terms and fees, and your NovelShaft plan and storage limits, still apply. NovelShaft AI generation cannot be run through this connection.
You can revoke access in account settings: Open Account settings → External AI connections to stop future access. Revoking a connection does not undo completed edits or remove content already sent to the external AI. Review that service's data handling before connecting.

Before you decide.

Can I use it now?

Public access is still being prepared. This page will show connection instructions once they are ready to use. Creating an account or changing your plan does not enable early access.

Do I need this to use NovelShaft's AI?

No. This is an additional way to work with your stories from an external AI app. You can continue writing and using NovelShaft's own AI features within your plan without setting it up.

Can I use an AI app other than Codex?

The initial setup guide covers Codex. Claude Code and other apps are not yet listed as supported connections; guidance will be added after compatibility testing.

What if I want to undo a saved edit?

Review the result in NovelShaft and use the work's undo history when needed. Undo applies to the work as a whole, so check any other edits made around the same time before going back.

Is my work made public when I connect?

Allowing a connection does not publish your work. It does allow the connected AI app to access your works. Data sent to that app is handled under its own terms; publishing a work is a separate action requiring confirmation in NovelShaft.