Quickstart

Get an MCP key, build and deploy an education app, then submit it in Playground.

Before you begin

Prerequisite	Notes
Daven account	Sign in at daven.ai
Token balance	Dev and Playground usage bill your account tokens
Hosting	e.g. Vercel (HTTPS URL)
MCP client (optional)	Connect `@davenai/mcp` in the AI coding tool you already use

Concepts

Term	Meaning
Education app	Web app for lessons. Internally also called an MCP app.
MCP key	Developer secret `dvn_mcp_live_…`. Used for your MCP client, server-side calls, and Playground. Never put it in the browser.
Playground	daven.ai/playground — verify your app and submit it to Daven
Classroom Hub (Edu)	edu.daven.ai — where approved apps are used in class
`@davenai/mcp`	MCP server so your AI coding tool can call Daven while you build

You do not install MCP on Vercel. Deploy the education app on Vercel and keep the MCP key in server env vars. Connect the MCP server in the AI coding platform you use.

1. Account and MCP key

Create a key in Settings > MCP Keys

Open Daven AI Settings > MCP Keys and generate a key.

Format: dvn_mcp_live_… (full value shown once)
Up to 5 active keys per account
Env var name: DAVEN_API_KEY

Store it securely. Do not commit it, put it in frontend env (VITE_*), or ship it in the client bundle.

Connect your MCP client (optional)

In ChatGPT / Codex Desktop, open Settings → MCP servers → Add server and connect @davenai/mcp. Use Type: STDIO.

Codex Desktop Daven MCP (STDIO) settings

Field	Value
Type	STDIO
Name	`daven`
Command to launch	`npx`
Arguments	`-y` , `@davenai/mcp`
Environment variables	`DAVEN_API_KEY` = your key `DAVEN_API_URL` = `https://app.daven.ai:3000` `DAVEN_WEBAPP_URL` = `https://daven.ai`
Working directory	`/`

Save, then restart MCP. Once connected, the agent can use account, quote, and media tools while you build. Follow daven_guidelines for app-writing rules.

2. Build the education app

Browser → server API → Daven. Keep the key on the server (or Vercel serverless) only. Local lab / reference: dv_mcp (starter/, apps/sihwa_project). → Reference app

cd dv_mcp
cp .env.example .env   # DAVEN_API_KEY, DAVEN_WEBAPP_URL, DAVEN_API_URL
npm install
npm run starter

Design the UI and lesson flow as you like.

3. Deploy

Playground submit needs a public HTTPS URL.

Connect the project on Vercel (Root Directory e.g. apps/sihwa_project).
Set server-only env vars (no VITE_ prefix):

Variable	Example
`DAVEN_API_KEY`	`dvn_mcp_live_…`
`DAVEN_WEBAPP_URL`	`https://daven.ai`
`DAVEN_API_URL`	`https://app.daven.ai:3000`

Confirm the app works on the deploy URL.

Reference: dv_mcp/apps/sihwa_project/DEPLOY.md

4. Verify and submit in Playground

Open daven.ai/playground.
Paste the app URL — local or Vercel Preview/Production.
Pass the checklist with your MCP key.
Submit to Daven.

That is the end of the developer workflow. Review and classroom rollout are handled by Daven. Playground AI usage bills your developer tokens. In class, classroom credits are used.

Done when

Stage	Pass criteria
Key	Issued in Settings > MCP Keys; never exposed to the client
App	Daven calls succeed via the server path
Deploy	Works on HTTPS
Submit	Playground checklist passed + Submit

Get started

MCP

Launch

Before you begin

Concepts

1. Account and MCP key

2. Build the education app

3. Deploy

4. Verify and submit in Playground

Done when

Next

​Before you begin

​Concepts

​1. Account and MCP key

​2. Build the education app

​3. Deploy

​4. Verify and submit in Playground

​Done when

​Next

Before you begin

Concepts

1. Account and MCP key

2. Build the education app

3. Deploy

4. Verify and submit in Playground

Done when

Next