This release extends access to Absorb Aura beyond the LMS. You can now connect your Absorb Portal to Claude or ChatGPT using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), so you can ask about your learning in plain language without opening the LMS. Setup has two parts: an Administrator adds Absorb to your organization's AI tool once, and each User then signs in with their own Absorb account.

New features rolling out to Absorb Aura include connections for Claude and ChatGPT, allowing Learners and Admins to access Aura directly in their organization's AI tool. For more information about these capabilities, see the Connecting Absorb Aura to Claude and ChatGPT using MCP article.

Prerequisites

Before connecting, confirm you have the following:

Connect Absorb to Claude

Connecting Absorb to Claude takes place in three stages: a one-time setup by an Administrator, an account connection each User completes individually, and everyday use.

Claude Administrator: Add Absorb (One-Time Setup)

On Claude Team and Enterprise plans, an organization Owner adds Absorb once so it appears for everyone. On Free, Pro, and Max plans, each User completes this step individually.

1. In Claude, click Settings.
2. Click Organization Settings, then Connectors. On an individual plan, click Settings, then Connectors instead.
3. Click Add, then click Custom. If Claude asks for a connector type, select Web.
4. Enter a name your team will recognize, such as "Absorb," along with your Portal address: https://yourcompany.myabsorb.com/mcp
5. Click Add. Absorb now appears for everyone in your organization.

Everyone: Connect Your Account

Once Absorb is available as a connector, each User connects their own Absorb account.

1. Click Settings, then Connectors, and locate Absorb (or the name used in the previous step).
2. Click Connect. Your Absorb sign-in page opens.
3. Sign in as you normally would and approve the access request.

Use It in a Conversation

After your account is connected, you can start asking questions.

1. Start a new chat.
2. Ask your question.
3. The first time Absorb is used, Claude will ask for your permission. Review the request and click Allow.

Connect Absorb to ChatGPT

ChatGPT requires Developer Mode before a custom connection can be created. Depending on your plan and when your workspace was last updated, this area of settings may be labeled Apps, Plugins, or Connectors.

ChatGPT Administrator: Turn On Developer Mode

The ChatGPT Administrator turns on Developer Mode once to set up a custom connection. In ChatGPT, follow these steps to enable Developer Mode:

1. Click Settings.
2. Click Plugins.
3. Click Developer Mode to turn it on. 

ChatGPT Administrator: Add Absorb (One-Time Setup)

With Developer Mode on, the ChatGPT Administrator adds Absorb and publishes it to the workspace.

1. From Settings, click Plugins, then click the plus icon to add a new plugin.
2. Enter a name your team will recognize, such as "Absorb," along with a short description and your Portal address: https://yourcompany.myabsorb.com/mcp
3. For authentication, select OAuth.
4. Click Scan Tools. ChatGPT contacts Absorb and lists what it can do. Sign in when prompted.
5. Under Advanced OAuth Settings, select Dynamic Client Registration as the registration method, and keep the remaining default values.
6. Confirm the acknowledgement, then click Create. Absorb is saved as a draft, visible only to you.
7. Click Workspace Settings, then Plugins. Search for "Absorb" (or the name used above) and click Publish.

On Enterprise and Edu plans, you can also open the published app to limit which tools are available, choose which groups can see it, and install it for everyone instead of leaving it self-service.

Everyone: Connect and Use

Once Absorb is published to the workspace, each User connects their own Absorb account.

1. Click Settings, then Apps, and locate Absorb (or the name used above).
2. Click Connect and sign in with your Absorb account.
3. Start a new chat and ask your question.
4. Confirm the connection prompt the first time you use it.

What You Can Do

Once connected, your assistant can use the following tools to answer questions from your Portal:

Limitations

The MCP connection is designed for asking questions and receiving answers. Keep the following limitations in mind:

• The connection is read and answer only. No actions are taken in the LMS through MCP.
• Courses cannot be created through MCP.
• An Absorb account is required to use the connection.
• Admin reporting coverage matches the current data querying coverage of Aura Admin Assist.

Credit Usage

Using Absorb Aura through MCP does not consume Aura Credits. For more information about how credits apply to other Aura features, see the Aura Credits System Overview article.

What to Ask

Ask in plain language, the way you would ask a colleague. You do not need special commands. If your assistant answers from general knowledge instead of your Portal, name Absorb in your question.

Troubleshooting

If you run into an issue connecting or using Absorb, try the following:

About Your Data

Absorb never shares your credentials with your AI assistant, and your existing Absorb permissions apply to every answer:

• You sign in to Absorb directly. Your assistant never receives your Absorb password.
• Requests are made as you, so your existing Absorb roles and permissions apply to every answer.
• You can disconnect at any time from the connectors or apps area of your settings. Removing your Absorb account removes access immediately.

For more information about Absorb's approach to AI and data, see the Absorb AI Program Overview article.