> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.generect.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Common problems

> This page describes common Problems you may encounter when using **MCP with Generect API**, and how to solve them.

***

## The agent spent more credits than I expected

**Cause:** search and enrich are billed **per returned row**, so an agent that
searches before sizing the audience pays for every row it looks at, including the
ones it then throws away.

**Solution:**

* Size the audience with `count_leads` / `count_companies` first — cached counts
  are **free** and also return the cost of the next step at your account's rates.
* Look at real people with `preview_leads` before paying for a full search.
* Keep `mode` on `auto` (the default) or `database`. `realtime` costs more per row,
  and a realtime *count* is billable.
* Check `cost.amount_charged_usd` in each response, and `get_balance` before and
  after a batch, to see exactly what was spent.
* If you are running an old local install, upgrade: builds before **0.7.0** have
  no free counting tools and no row cap. See [MCP tools and what they cost](tools).

***

## MCP Registry not found or connection failed

**Cause**: The client doesn't support MCP Registry, or the registry identifier is incorrect.

**Solution**:

* Ensure you're using a client that supports MCP Registry (e.g., latest Claude Desktop versions).
* Verify the registry identifier: `com.generect/generect-mcp`
* If your client doesn't support registry, use the [Local MCP (npx)](quick-start) method instead.

***

## 401 Unauthorized error

**Cause:** Your API key is invalid or missing.

**Solution:**

* Make sure you replaced `your-api-key` with your actual key.
* For **Local MCP**, set the env var to either `GENERECT_API_KEY="your-real-key"` or `GENERECT_API_KEY="Token your-real-key"` — both are accepted.
* For **Remote MCP** with a custom `Authorization` header, any of these forms work: `YOUR_API_KEY`, `Bearer YOUR_API_KEY`, `Token YOUR_API_KEY`, or `Bearer Token YOUR_API_KEY`.
* Verify the key is active in <a href="https://beta.generect.com" target="_blank">beta.generect.com</a>.

***

## Timeout error

**Cause:** The API request took longer than the default timeout (1 minute). For example, a lead search may take longer with very broad filters.

**Solution:**

* If you are using local MCP: increase the timeout limit in your MCP configuration (default: `60000` ms).

```json theme={null}
"GENERECT_TIMEOUT_MS": "180000"
```

* Try refining your query (e.g., add more filters for leads or companies).

***

## MCP server does not appear in the client

**Cause**: Configuration file is invalid, or the MCP server didn't start.

**Solution**:

* Double-check JSON syntax and content in your config (`claude_desktop_config.json`, Cursor config). NPM should be `generect-ultimate-mcp`
* Try setting MCP\_DEBUG=1 to see logs when starting the MCP.
* Restart your client after editing the configuration.

***

### LLM doesn't call MCP tools

**Cause**: The LLM decides when to call external tools — it may not always trigger them.

**Solution**:

* Rephrase your request in a way that makes tool usage more likely (e.g., explicitly ask to "search leads").
* Check that the MCP server is shown as active in the client's settings.