> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.formal.ai/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Ashby > Search candidates, jobs, and interviews, and move applications through your hiring pipeline. Data Publisher: Ashby Route Ashby MCP traffic through Formal to control and log what AI agents do in Ashby: * **Block** tools you don't want agents to call, such as `create_candidate`. * **Mask** sensitive data in tool results, such as emails in `get_candidate` responses. * **Keep credentials at the Connector**, so users and agents never see Ashby tokens. * **Log** every tool call with the user, the MCP client and its parameters. Cloud agents Laptop / VM Endpoint [https://mcp.ashbyhq.com/mcp/v1](https://mcp.ashbyhq.com/mcp/v1) Connector ![](https://docs.formal.ai/static/brands/ashby.png) ## 0. Prepare your Connector The Connector needs an MCP listener and a hostname with wildcard DNS and TLS. Set them up once by following [Deploy the Connector](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/core-concepts/connectors/mcp-gateway.md#deploy-the-connector). Every MCP server reuses them. ## 1. Add Ashby MCP server to your Resources > [tab] UI > > 1. Open the [Admin Catalog](https://app.formal.ai/catalog) and click **Add MCP**. > 2. Select the **Ashby** template. > 3. Enter a DNS-label **Name**, such as `ashby`. > 4. Choose the **Space** containing your Connector, such as `default`. > 5. Configure upstream authentication as described below, then save. > > If no Connector is in the selected Space, the **Configuration** tab shows **MCP clients can't connect directly yet**. > The reason reads: `No Connector is in this server's Space.` > > Adding Ashby to the Admin Catalog > [tab] Terraform > > Set `space_id` to the ID of the Space containing your Connector. > > ```hcl theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > resource "formal_resource" "ashby" { > name = "ashby" > technology = "mcp" > hostname = "mcp.ashbyhq.com" > space_id = "" > native_users_v3_enabled = true > port = 443 > tags = { > "mcp-endpoint" = "/mcp/v1" > } > } > > resource "formal_resource_oauth_settings" "ashby" { > resource_id = formal_resource.ashby.id > } > ``` > [tab] Pulumi > > Set `spaceId` to the ID of the Space containing your Connector. > > ```ts theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > import * as formal from "@formalco/pulumi"; > > const resource = new formal.Resource("mcp", { > name: "ashby", > technology: "mcp", > hostname: "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > port: 443, > spaceId: "", > tags: { "mcp-endpoint": "/mcp/v1" }, > nativeUsersV3Enabled: true, > }); > > new formal.ResourceOauthSettings("mcpOAuth", { > resourceId: resource.id, > }); > ``` > [tab] API > > Create a Resource with the MCP endpoint and its Space ID. > > ```bash theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > export FORMAL_API_KEY="" > RESOURCE_RESPONSE=$(curl --fail --silent --show-error \ > --request POST \ > https://api.formal.ai/core.v1.ResourceService/CreateResource \ > --header "x-api-key: ${FORMAL_API_KEY}" \ > --header "Content-Type: application/json" \ > --data-binary @- < { > "name": "ashby", > "hostname": "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > "port": 443, > "technology": "mcp", > "spaceId": "", > "tags": [ > { > "key": "mcp-endpoint", > "value": "/mcp/v1" > } > ] > } > JSON > ) > RESOURCE_ID=$(printf '%s' "${RESOURCE_RESPONSE}" | jq -r '.resource.id') > curl --fail --silent --show-error \ > --request POST \ > https://api.formal.ai/core.v1.ResourceService/CreateResourceOAuthSettings \ > --header "x-api-key: ${FORMAL_API_KEY}" \ > --header "Content-Type: application/json" \ > --data-binary @- < { > "resourceId": "${RESOURCE_ID}" > } > JSON > ``` ## 2. Setup Authentication > [tab] Linked Accounts (Recommended) > > Each user links their own Ashby account once in the Employee Catalog, and the Connector sends that user's token to Ashby. > > ![Linked Accounts selected under How does Formal authenticate to this resource?](https://mintcdn.com/formal/vzPMpIcsF4BYmdx8/assets/images/mcp-servers/auth-linked-accounts.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=vzPMpIcsF4BYmdx8\&q=85\&s=dc448db2a373faa6e1bf49fd5ffaf7c4) > > Under **OAuth app**, keep **Formal's App**. > > #### Formal's App (default) > > Formal has a registered OAuth app with Ashby, so you register nothing. > Users see Formal on Ashby's consent screen. > [tab] Shared Credentials > > An administrator stores one Ashby token in Formal, and the Connector sends it on every user's requests without showing it to them. > > ![Shared Credentials selected under How does Formal authenticate to this resource?](https://mintcdn.com/formal/R-3CwVgs8IU6liji/assets/images/mcp-servers/auth-shared-credentials.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=R-3CwVgs8IU6liji\&q=85\&s=91032e202518088292ee1cf39451b9ef) > > Ashby's MCP endpoint doesn't accept API tokens, so use Linked Accounts. > [tab] Pass Through > > Each user sends their own Ashby sign-in or token from their MCP client, and Formal forwards it unchanged without storing it. > > ![Pass Through selected under How does Formal authenticate to this resource?](https://mintcdn.com/formal/R-3CwVgs8IU6liji/assets/images/mcp-servers/auth-pass-through.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=R-3CwVgs8IU6liji\&q=85\&s=c14ae61de2dba8b567626cba03aae2cf) > > Nothing in the request identifies the Formal user. Formal attributes these requests only when they come through the [Formal Endpoint](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/core-concepts/connectors/mcp-gateway.md#identity-headers). Pass-through servers have no Connector address, so cloud agents can't use them. > > For OAuth, each MCP client signs in to Ashby itself. ## 3. Route Endpoint traffic Auth is managed at the Connector level when you use Linked Accounts or Shared Credentials, so the Endpoint needs to forward the MCP traffic to it. Laptops and VMs with the Formal Endpoint keep using `https://mcp.ashbyhq.com/mcp/v1`, and a network rule sends that traffic to the Connector. > [tab] UI > > 1. Go to [Network Rules](https://app.formal.ai/network-rules) and create a rule named `ashby-mcp`. > 2. Paste this expression, set the rule to **Active**, then save: > > ```javascript theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > { > "condition": { > "pre_tcp": process.is_agent, > // Every MCP server added to Formal: process.is_agent && resource.technology == "mcp" > "pre_tls": process.is_agent && hostname == "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > "post_tls": true > }, > "outputs": { > "forward_to_connector": true > } > } > ``` > [tab] Terraform > > ```hcl theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > resource "formal_network_rule" "ashby_mcp" { > name = "ashby-mcp" > description = "Forward Ashby MCP traffic from agents to the Connector" > status = "active" > > # Every MCP server added to Formal: set pre_tls to process.is_agent && resource.technology == "mcp" > cel_expression = <<-EOT > { > "condition": { > "pre_tcp": process.is_agent, > "pre_tls": process.is_agent && hostname == "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > "post_tls": true > }, > "outputs": { > "forward_to_connector": true > } > } > EOT > } > ``` > [tab] Pulumi > > ```ts theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > import * as formal from "@formalco/pulumi"; > > new formal.NetworkRule("ashbyMcp", { > name: "ashby-mcp", > description: "Forward Ashby MCP traffic from agents to the Connector", > status: "active", > // Every MCP server added to Formal: set pre_tls to process.is_agent && resource.technology == "mcp" > celExpression: ` > { > "condition": { > "pre_tcp": process.is_agent, > "pre_tls": process.is_agent && hostname == "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > "post_tls": true > }, > "outputs": { > "forward_to_connector": true > } > } > `, > }); > ``` > [tab] API > > ```bash theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > export FORMAL_API_KEY="" > # Every MCP server added to Formal: set pre_tls to process.is_agent && resource.technology == "mcp" > CEL_EXPRESSION=$(cat <<'CEL' > { > "condition": { > "pre_tcp": process.is_agent, > "pre_tls": process.is_agent && hostname == "mcp.ashbyhq.com", > "post_tls": true > }, > "outputs": { > "forward_to_connector": true > } > } > CEL > ) > jq -n --arg cel "${CEL_EXPRESSION}" '{ > name: "ashby-mcp", > description: "Forward Ashby MCP traffic from agents to the Connector", > status: "active", > celExpression: $cel > }' | curl --fail --silent --show-error \ > --request POST \ > https://api.formal.ai/core.v1.DesktopService/CreateDesktopRoutingRule \ > --header "x-api-key: ${FORMAL_API_KEY}" \ > --header "Content-Type: application/json" \ > --data-binary @- > ``` The rule matches [known agents](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/network-rules.md#known-agent-identities) only. See [Identity headers](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/core-concepts/connectors/mcp-gateway.md#identity-headers). Cloud agents such as Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor Cloud Agents don't run the Endpoint. Point them at this server's Connector address, `https://ashby./mcp`. Find it in the [Admin Catalog](https://app.formal.ai/catalog): open Ashby, then copy **Connector address** on the **Configuration** tab. ## 4. Create policies ### Tools The Admin Catalog lists these tools for Ashby: | Tool | Description | | - | - | | `search_records_by_name` | Find candidates, jobs, applications, or email templates by name. | | `filter_records` | Find or count records that match criteria, such as applications in a stage. | | `describe_object_fields` | Discover the fields available to filter a record type. | | `get_record_details` | Get full details for jobs, postings, applications, openings, interviews, or offers. | | `get_candidate` | Get a candidate's resume, feedback, emails, notes, and interview transcripts. | | `get_upcoming_interviews` | List your upcoming interviews. | | `get_interview_details` | Get a prep briefing for an interview: candidate, panel, and hiring team. | | `get_interview_plan` | Show the interview stages for a job or application. | | `get_submitted_feedback` | Get the scorecard feedback you submitted. | | `get_job_pipeline` | Count candidates at each stage of one or more job pipelines. | | `get_pending_tasks` | List your pending scorecards, approvals, follow-ups, and reviews. | | `create_candidate` | Create a candidate with name and contact details. | | `add_note_to_candidate` | Draft a note on a candidate's profile for you to confirm. | | `change_application_stage` | Move an application to another stage, including archiving it. | | `consider_candidate_for_job` | Add a candidate to a job at its first interview stage. | | `search_product_docs` | Answer how-to questions from Ashby's product documentation. | | `submit_mcp_feedback` | Send feedback about the MCP server to Ashby. | ### Policies examples > [tab] Block a tool > > This policy blocks the tools that change data, so agents can only read Ashby. > > ```rego theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > package formal.v2 > > import future.keywords.if > import future.keywords.in > > write_tools := { > "create_candidate", > "add_note_to_candidate", > "change_application_stage", > "consider_candidate_for_job", > "submit_mcp_feedback", > } > > request := { > "action": "block", > "type": "block_with_custom_message", > "message": "Writing to Ashby is not allowed.", > } if { > input.resource.name == "ashby" > input.mcp.method == "tools/call" > input.mcp.tool_name in write_tools > } > ``` > [tab] Mask a tool's output > > This policy replaces email addresses in results returned by `get_candidate`, `search_records_by_name`, and `get_record_details`. > > ```rego theme={"languages":{"custom":["/languages/cel.json","/languages/rego.json"]}} > package formal.v2 > > import future.keywords.if > import future.keywords.in > > email_pattern := `[A-Za-z0-9._%+-]+@[A-Za-z0-9.-]+\.[A-Za-z]{2,}` > > response := { > "action": "rewrite", > "body": regex.replace(input.http.body, email_pattern, "[REDACTED-EMAIL]"), > "reason": "Mask emails in Ashby results", > } if { > input.resource.name == "ashby" > input.mcp.tool_name in {"get_candidate", "search_records_by_name", "get_record_details"} > regex.match(email_pattern, input.http.body) > } > ``` See [MCP resources](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/policies/evaluation.md#mcp-resources) for the `input.mcp` fields and [Rewrite Action](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/policies/enforcement.md#rewrite-action) for body rewrites. ## 5. Check the logs Open [Logs](https://app.formal.ai/logs) and search for `resource.name:ashby`. Each Ashby tool call is one `request` log with the user, the MCP client and the tool. Open a log to see its tool parameters and the policies it triggered. A blocked write shows the block policy and its message. A masked search shows the rewrite policy. Ashby tool calls in Logs, including a masked response and a blocked write See [Logs](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/observability/logs.md) for search syntax and filters. ## Troubleshooting > [accordion] The agent says Formal has no current sign-in > > The agent relays: `Formal has no current ashby sign-in for you. Link or re-link your ashby account in Formal…` > > **Cause:** The user never linked Ashby, or the token expired and couldn't be refreshed. > > **Fix:** Open the server in the [Employee Catalog](https://catalog.formal.ai) and link Ashby again. > [accordion] The agent says Ashby rejected your credentials > > The agent relays: `ashby rejected your credentials. Link or re-link your ashby account in Formal…` > > **Cause:** Ashby no longer accepts the linked token, for example after the user revoked access in Ashby. > > **Fix:** Link Ashby again from the [Employee Catalog](https://catalog.formal.ai). > [accordion] Laptop traffic doesn't appear in Logs > > **Cause:** The Endpoint isn't running, or the network rule doesn't match the client. > > **Fix:** Check the Endpoint is connected. The rule above only matches [known agents](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/network-rules.md#known-agent-identities). Other clients, such as a browser, reach Ashby directly unless the rule also matches them. See [Network rules](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/network-rules.md). > [accordion] MCP clients can't connect directly yet > > **Cause:** The **Configuration** tab lists the reason, most often `No Connector is in this server's Space.` > > **Fix:** Edit the server and choose the Space containing its Connector. ## Next Steps > [card] [MCP Gateway](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/core-concepts/connectors/mcp-gateway.md) > > Configure Connector routing and downstream access > [card] [All MCP servers](https://docs.formal.ai/docs/guides/core-concepts/connectors/mcp-servers/index.md) > > Browse every MCP server template This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.