What is MCP elicitation?

Elicitation lets an MCP server stop and ask you for missing information, by form or by link. Secrets never go in the form.

MCP elicitation is how an MCP server asks you a question in the middle of a task, through your AI app. It can show a short form or send you to a web page. You can answer, decline or cancel.

Also called elicitation, elicitation/create, MCP form mode, MCP URL mode, MCP user input request.

The spec defines two modes. Form mode lets a server ask for structured details, such as a few fields. URL mode sends you to a web page for things that must not pass through the AI app, such as sign-in or payment.

The spec forbids servers from asking for passwords, API keys, access tokens or payment details in a form. Those must go through URL mode.

Every answer is one of three actions: accept, decline or cancel. The app must make clear which server is asking, give you clear decline and cancel options, and show the target domain before opening a link.

MCP elicitation is how an MCP server asks you for something it is missing, such as a value to continue or a sign-in. Your AI app shows the question, and you can answer, decline or cancel. The one thing to know first: the spec forbids servers from asking for a password or API key in a form.

In Claude Code you do not set anything up. A dialog appears in the terminal when a server asks. In form mode you fill in fields. In URL mode Claude Code asks whether to open a link in your browser. In a cloud session, at claude.ai/code or in the Desktop app's Code tab, the request shows as a card, with Submit, Open link and Decline.

Elicitation is something your app offers to servers. Cursor's docs list elicitation as supported. Check your own app's docs for the rest. See MCP client for how apps and servers split the work.

Good for

Claude Code users who see a question pop up mid-task
People wondering whether a prompt from a server is safe to answer
Builders adding questions or sign-in to a server

Comparison

Form mode is for small questions like a name or a choice. URL mode is for anything sensitive, and the secret stays on the website, not in your AI app.

Option	Used for	You see	Passwords and keys
Form modeThis page	Short details	Fields in the app	Not allowed
URL mode	Sign-in, payment	A link to open	On the web page

Questions

What is MCP elicitation?

A way for an MCP server to ask you a question in the middle of a task. Your AI app shows a form or a link, and sends your answer back to the server.

What does an elicitation request look like in Claude?

In Claude Code it is a dialog in the terminal with fields to fill in, or a prompt asking whether to open a link in your browser. In a cloud session, at claude.ai/code or in the Desktop app's Code tab, it is a card with Submit, Open link and Decline.

Can I say no to an elicitation request?

Yes. You can decline, or cancel. The spec requires apps to give clear decline and cancel options.

Is it safe to enter a password in an MCP form?

No. The spec says servers must not ask for passwords, API keys, tokens or payment details in a form. Our advice: if one does, decline it. Sign-ins go through a link to the site itself.

What is the difference between form mode and URL mode?

Form mode shows fields inside your app for simple details. URL mode opens a web page for sign-in or payment, so the secret never passes through the AI app.

Do I need to turn elicitation on?

In Claude Code, no. Dialogs appear automatically when a server asks. Cursor's docs list elicitation as supported. For other apps, check your app's docs.

Can I auto-answer elicitation requests?

In Claude Code, yes, with an Elicitation hook. That is a developer feature, so use it only for servers you trust.

Who asks the question, the AI or the server?

The server defines the question. Your app shows it and must make clear which server is asking.

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 3

Elicitation · modelcontextprotocol.io
Connect Claude Code to tools via MCP · code.claude.com
Model Context Protocol (MCP) | Cursor Docs · cursor.com