What is the Servio Protocol
Servio is a protocol that allows websites to expose structured tools to AI models. It defines how a site publishes its capabilities, how AI platforms discover them, and how tool calls are authenticated and executed.
The Problem Servio Solves
AI models are powerful at understanding text and reasoning, but they cannot interact with websites on their own. They cannot log in to your forum, search your product catalog, or post a reply. Servio bridges this gap by providing a standardized interface between websites and AI platforms.
Without Servio:
- Users copy-paste data between their site and an AI chat
- Automation requires custom API integrations for each site
- There is no standard for exposing site capabilities to AI
With Servio:
- Sites publish a manifest describing their tools
- AI platforms discover and present these tools automatically
- Users and agents interact with sites through natural language
How It Differs from Standard MCP
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) was originally designed for desktop applications — a local server running on your machine, exposing tools to a desktop AI client.
Servio extends this concept to the web:
| Aspect | MCP (Desktop) | Servio (Web) |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Local machine | Remote web server |
| Discovery | Manual configuration | Manifest at well-known URL |
| Auth | Local file system access | OAuth 2.0 + PKCE or Bearer tokens |
| Scope | Single user, single machine | Multi-user, multi-site |
| Tools | File system, IDE, local apps | Forum threads, store products, CMS content |
Architecture
The Servio architecture has three components:
1. The Manifest
A JSON document published by the site at a well-known URL (e.g., /.well-known/servio.json). It describes:
- Site identity (name, version, description)
- Available tools (name, description, input parameters)
- Authentication method (OAuth endpoints or Bearer token)
- Server endpoint (where tool calls are sent)
2. The AI Platform (Goldnat)
The platform that reads manifests, presents tools to users, and orchestrates AI-tool interactions:
- Fetches and caches manifests
- Builds a tool registry for each session
- Routes tool calls from the AI to the correct site
- Handles authentication (sending tokens securely)
3. The Site
The website that implements the tool endpoints:
- Receives tool call requests from the platform
- Authenticates the request using the provided token
- Executes the operation (read data, create content, etc.)
- Returns a JSON result
Request Flow
User sends message → AI model decides to call a tool
→ Platform validates the tool call (domain, permissions)
→ Platform decrypts the user's token for the site
→ Platform sends the tool call to the site's endpoint
→ Site authenticates and processes the request
→ Site returns a JSON result
→ Platform scans result for injection patterns
→ AI model reads the result and generates a response
→ User sees the answerBenefits for Site Owners
Discoverability
By publishing a Servio manifest, your site becomes available in the Goldnat Directory. Users can find and connect to your site with one click.
AI-Powered User Experience
Users can interact with your site through natural language instead of navigating complex UIs. An AI can search, create, edit, and analyze data on your site based on conversational instructions.
Automation
Users can build agents that perform repetitive tasks on your site — monitoring, content creation, moderation, data extraction — without manual intervention.
No Code Changes to Your Core App
The Servio integration is a separate endpoint layer. Your existing application logic, database, and authentication system remain unchanged. You add a manifest file and tool endpoints alongside your existing API.
Supported Platforms
Servio integrations are available for:
| Platform | Integration Method |
|---|---|
| WordPress | Servio plugin (installable from wp-admin) |
| XenForo | AI Connect addon |
| Drupal | Servio module |
| Shopify | Custom app |
| Custom | Any site that implements the manifest and tool endpoints |
See Adding Servio to Your Site for platform-specific setup guides.