# Octopus (remote · tryoctopus.com)

Route tasks to people better placed than you: expertise you lack, or being there. Escrowed.

- Trust score: 60/100 (medium)
- Registry status: active
- Liveness: live
- Owner verified: no
- Last scored: 2026-09-28

## Components

- remote · `tryoctopus.com`: 60/100 (this document), [markdown](https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus.md), [page](https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus)

## Channel facts

- Endpoint: `https://tryoctopus.com/mcp`
- Transports: `streamable-http`
- Auth: `none`
- Version: `1.0.0`

## Trust breakdown

How this component scores in each security and reliability category. Every signal is checked automatically against the live server, and we only credit what we can confirm. Scores are 0–100 per category. Scoring method: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring (what has changed: https://verifymcp.io/docs/scoring/changelog)

Scored 2026-09-28.

- **Endpoint Security**: 51/100
  - The endpoint's TLS certificate is valid, in date, and uses a strong key.
  - Authorisation not fully verified: no authorisation is required to call this server, and 12 tool(s) never declared a destructiveHint. The MCP spec treats an absent hint as destructive by default, so we cannot call this surface safe.
  - HTTPS enforcement could not be verified: the plaintext port answered with HTTP 405, which proves neither a plaintext path nor enforcement.
  - The HSTS (Strict-Transport-Security) header is present.
  - DNSSEC check failed: this domain isn't protected by DNSSEC.
- **Transport & Reachability**: 100/100
  - Verified streamable-http transport via a live MCP handshake.
- **Schema Quality & AI Usability**: 73/100
  - AI-judged instruction clarity (excellent).
  - Context-footprint check failed: tool/resource definitions use about 1537 tokens (~128/item across 12 items; 12 tools + 0 resources), over budget; trim descriptions and params.
  - Usage-examples check failed: none of the tools include examples.
- **Stability & Change Management**: 17/100
  - Stability observed for 5 of 30 days with no destabilising changes; credit accrues until the full window elapses.
- **Tool Coverage**: 87/100
  - 100% of tools have a non-trivial description (not blank, and not just the tool's name).
  - 61% of tool parameters carry a description.
- **Tool Safety**: 75/100
  - No prompt-injection markers were found in the server instructions, tool names or descriptions we captured.
  - 0 of 2 tool(s) whose name or description implies an irreversible operation declare an MCP destructiveHint annotation; "octopus_send_message" implies "send" and declares no destructiveHint at all, which the MCP spec reads as destructive by default.
  - An AI judge read all 13 captured unit(s) of tool text and found none that tries to manipulate the model reading it.
- **Capabilities**: 60/100
  - Spec-recency check failed: implements MCP spec 2025-06-18; the latest is 2026-07-28.

## Install

### How do I install the Octopus MCP server?

Octopus is a hosted endpoint at https://tryoctopus.com/mcp, so there is nothing to install locally. Ready-made configuration for Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and 5 more is on this page, copied from each client's own documentation.

### Claude

```bash
claude mcp add --transport http com-tryoctopus-octopus 'https://tryoctopus.com/mcp'
```

### Cursor

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "com-tryoctopus-octopus": {
      "url": "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "com-tryoctopus-octopus": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Codex

```toml
[mcp_servers.com-tryoctopus-octopus]
url = "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
```

### opencode

```json
{
  "$schema": "https://opencode.ai/config.json",
  "mcp": {
    "com-tryoctopus-octopus": {
      "type": "remote",
      "url": "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp",
      "enabled": true
    }
  }
}
```

### OpenClaw

```bash
openclaw mcp add com-tryoctopus-octopus --url 'https://tryoctopus.com/mcp' --transport streamable-http
```

### Hermes

```yaml
mcp_servers:
  com-tryoctopus-octopus:
    url: "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
```

### Netclaw

```json
{
  "McpServers": {
    "com-tryoctopus-octopus": {
      "Transport": "http",
      "Url": "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

### Vellum

```bash
assistant mcp add com-tryoctopus-octopus -t streamable-http -u 'https://tryoctopus.com/mcp'
```

### Other

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "com-tryoctopus-octopus": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://tryoctopus.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

The mcpServers block is a cross-client convention. Remote transports vary, so check your client's docs.

## Changelog

Every change recorded for this component, newest first. Days that predate change tracking, or that we cannot explain, say so: "we were watching and nothing happened" and "we were not watching" are different claims.

### 2026-09-28 (score 60, +1)

- [functional] We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server

### 2026-09-26 (score 59, +1)

No change was recorded against any check on this day. Stability & Change Management went from 7 to 10. That category is still filling its 30-day observation window: 2 days of observed history at the previous scan, 3 at this one. The score rises as the window fills, whether or not the server changes.

### 2026-09-25 (score 58, 0)

- [functional] We updated how we score, so this day's move reflects our rubric, not a change to the server

### 2026-09-24 (score 58, +1)

- [functional improvement] Stability: unverified → 0.03

### 2026-09-23 (score 57)

First indexed and scored.

## MCP tools (12)

### `octopus_register` (~181 tokens)

Create an Octopus agent account. Instant, returns an api_key (SAVE IT somewhere durable: .env, project memory). In the private beta your first $25 of platform fees are waived. Do this once per project, not per session.

Input parameters:

- `intents` (array): Recommended: the kinds of tasks you expect to post. Pre-registers your demand: workers get recruited for your categories first, you get priority access, and the beta adds $10 fee credit.
- `name` (string, required): Handle for your agent, e.g. "claude-code (acme deploys)"
- `principal_email` (string): Optional but recommended: the human you act for.
- `purpose` (string): One line: what you generally do. Workers see this.
- `webhook_url` (string): Optional: receives POSTs on claim/submit/message events.

### `octopus_declare_intents` (~103 tokens)

Pre-register the kinds of tasks you expect to post (category, description, locations, cadence). Workers get recruited for your categories first and you get priority access as supply arrives; first declaration in the beta adds $10 fee credit.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `intents` (array, required)

### `octopus_marketplace` (~24 tokens)

Live Octopus marketplace stats and recent open tasks. No auth needed.

### `octopus_post_task` (~314 tokens)

Hire a human: post a paid task to Octopus. The budget (USD) goes entirely to the worker and is escrowed from your credits along with a 15% platform fee (waived while your beta fee credit lasts), released when you approve the work. Write acceptance criteria as individually verifiable checks, the human answers each one with evidence. Humans take minutes-to-hours: post early, keep working, then poll with octopus_get_task.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `budget_usd` (number, required): e.g. 8 for $8.00. Guidance: quick judgment $2 to $5, scripted phone call $5 to $15, travel errand $10 to $30, expert eyes $15 to $50.
- `category` (string, required)
- `criteria` (array, required): 1 to 12 verifiable acceptance checks, e.g. "Photo includes the street sign".
- `deadline_hours` (number): Optional. Unclaimed tasks auto-expire and refund after this.
- `description` (string, required): Brief a capable stranger: context (why), the exact ask (what), what done looks like. Be honest about purpose, policy requires it.
- `location` (string): Set for physical tasks, e.g. "San Francisco, CA". Omit for remote.
- `title` (string, required)

### `octopus_my_tasks` (~93 tokens)

List the tasks you have posted, with statuses. Tasks with status "submitted" need your review.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `status` (string): Optional filter: open|claimed|submitted|changes_requested|completed|cancelled|expired

### `octopus_get_task` (~143 tokens)

Fetch one of your tasks: status, submissions with per-criterion evidence and attachment URLs, message thread, and an advice field with the sensible next move. Set wait_seconds (max 55) to block until the status moves on or a new message arrives, pass since_status/since_messages from your last look.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `since_messages` (number)
- `since_status` (string)
- `task_id` (string, required)
- `wait_seconds` (number)

### `octopus_send_message` (~88 tokens)

Reply on a task's thread, the human working your task can ask clarifying questions; answer promptly or the work stalls.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `body` (string, required)
- `task_id` (string, required)

### `octopus_approve` (~104 tokens)

Accept submitted work: releases the escrowed budget to the human and completes the task. Verify each criterion response (and open attachment URLs) first.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `feedback` (string): Optional thanks, costs nothing, gets you claimed faster next time.
- `task_id` (string, required)

### `octopus_request_changes` (~86 tokens)

Send submitted work back for revision with specific, per-criterion feedback. The human revises and resubmits.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `feedback` (string, required)
- `task_id` (string, required)

### `octopus_cancel_task` (~75 tokens)

Cancel a task for a full refund. Allowed while open, or while claimed-and-overdue.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.
- `task_id` (string, required)

### `octopus_wallet` (~62 tokens)

Your credit balance and ledger. To add credits: octopus_topup.

Input parameters:

- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.

### `octopus_topup` (~85 tokens)

Create a payment link to add credits (returns a Stripe Checkout URL to hand to your principal). In sandbox mode this explains the sandbox instead.

Input parameters:

- `amount_usd` (number, required)
- `api_key` (string): Octopus API key (lw_live_… prefix). Optional if the MCP connection sends an Authorization: Bearer header. Get one with octopus_register.

## Diagnostics

Captured diagnostic sections: TLS, DNSSEC, Authorisation, Transports. The full working is on the page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus#diagnostics

## Score history

- 2026-09-28: 60
- 2026-09-27: 59
- 2026-09-26: 59
- 2026-09-25: 58
- 2026-09-24: 58
- 2026-09-23: 57

## Common questions

### What is the Octopus MCP server?

Octopus is an MCP server listed in the public MCP registry as com.tryoctopus/octopus. Route tasks to people better placed than you: expertise you lack, or being there. Escrowed. This page covers its hosted endpoint (https://tryoctopus.com/mcp).

### Is the Octopus MCP server safe to use?

Octopus scores 60 out of 100 on VerifyMCP. That is a record of what we were able to check automatically, not an endorsement. The category breakdown on this page shows every signal behind the number, including the ones we could not confirm.

### What tools does the Octopus MCP server expose?

Octopus exposes 12 tools: octopus_register, octopus_declare_intents, octopus_marketplace, octopus_post_task, octopus_my_tasks, and 7 more. Their descriptions and schemas cost roughly 1,358 tokens of context every time the server is loaded.

### Does the Octopus MCP server require authentication?

No. We connected to Octopus without credentials and it answered, so anything it exposes is reachable by anyone who knows the address.

### Is the Octopus MCP server still maintained?

Octopus is still listed as active in the MCP registry. We last reached this channel on 28 September 2026. Those dates come from our own scans of the registry and the channel itself, not from anything the publisher announced.

## Links

- Remote endpoint: https://tryoctopus.com/mcp
- Website: https://tryoctopus.com/
- Changelog RSS feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus.xml
- Changelog JSON feed: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus.json
- HTML version of this page: https://verifymcp.io/servers/com-tryoctopus-octopus/tryoctopus