Duke Courses MCPFind open sections
Days, times, seats, curriculum codes like QS or W, and prerequisites, from public DukeHub data.
What it does
Planning a semester at Duke means jumping between DukeHub, the Bulletin, department pages, and the Registrar's calendar and exam tables, then checking every section by hand for time conflicts, open seats, the discussion or lab it needs, and final exam clashes. Duke Courses brings that public course data into the AI tool you already use, like Claude or ChatGPT. Ask in plain English and it finds sections with their days, times, and seats, looks up prerequisites and curriculum codes, builds a schedule with no conflicts that fits around work or practice, and tells you when your registration window opens and when your finals are.
Build a schedule
Combine the classes you need with the discussion or lab each one requires, with no time conflicts, around work, practice, and your no-Friday rule. Then check it again right before you register.
Know the dates
When your class year's registration window opens, and when each final exam is.
- 10course tools your assistant can use
- $0free for every Duke student
- 0accounts or sign-ins needed
Add it to your assistant
Fastest: this opens Claude with the name and URL already filled in. Check them, pick No sign in if it asks, and click Add.
Or add it by hand:
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Open Connectors in Claude
On claude.ai or the Claude desktop app, go to Customize › Connectors.
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Add a custom connector
Click + Add, then Add custom connector.
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Paste the name and URL
Tap each one to copy it, paste it into Claude, then click Continue.
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Choose "No sign in"
Click Continue past the detected settings. Under Authentication, pick No sign in, leave everything else empty, and click Add.
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Turn it on in a chat
In a new chat, click + at the bottom left of the message box, open Connectors, and switch on Duke Courses.
Fastest: this copies the server URL, opens ChatGPT next to this page, and shows a short checklist of what to click there. In short: + › Add custom MCP server, name it Duke Courses, paste the URL, and choose no authentication.
Or step by step:
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Open Plugins in ChatGPT
On chatgpt.com, go to Plugins. Click the + button, then Add custom MCP server.
Adding it only works on the website, in a browser. You do it once: after that it's on your ChatGPT account, so it works in the phone and desktop apps too.
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Paste the name and URL
Tap each one to copy it. The description is optional. Put the URL under Connection.
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No sign-in, then create
Set Authentication to none, since Duke Courses has no accounts. Tick I understand and want to continue, then click Create as a plugin.
The warning is standard for any server you add yourself. Every Duke Courses tool is read-only.
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Check the tools and install
ChatGPT lists the tools it found, like
search_classesandbuild_schedule. Install the plugin. -
Pick it with @ in a chat
Start a new chat, type @ in the message box, and choose Duke Courses. Do it again on a later message when you want fresh class data.
I don't see Add custom MCP server
Adding your own server depends on your ChatGPT plan and workspace. You have to add it on chatgpt.com in a web browser, not in the app (once it's added, it works in the apps too). In a Business workspace only admins and owners can add one, and on Enterprise or Edu an admin has to give you permission.
ChatGPT doesn't use it
Type @ and pick Duke Courses on the message where you want class data. The choice applies to that one message.
I'm on my phone
Add it on chatgpt.com first, in your phone's browser or on a computer. Then open the ChatGPT app and pick Duke Courses from the + menu, or type @.
Having trouble? Email sujay.kolpuru@gmail.com.
Fastest: this copies the server URL and opens Gemini's Connected Apps. Under Custom apps, click Add a custom app, paste the URL, and click Next.
Before you start: Gemini only lets you add your own apps on a personal Google account (not your @duke.edu account), if you're 18 or older and in the US, with Google AI Pro or Ultra. US college students can get a free year of AI Pro.
Or step by step:
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Open Connected Apps in Gemini
On gemini.google.com, open Settings, then Personal Intelligence › Connected Apps.
Adding it only works on the website, in a browser. You do it once: after that it works in the Gemini phone app too.
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Add a custom app
Under Custom apps, click Add a custom app. Tap the URL to copy it, paste it in, and click Next. Leave Advanced features closed.
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Name it and connect
Tick the box that you understand the risks. Name it Duke Courses and click Connect. There's no account to sign in to.
The warning is standard for any app you add yourself. Every Duke Courses tool is read-only.
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Pick it with @ in a chat
Start a new chat, type @ in the message box, and choose Duke Courses.
I don't see Custom apps
Google only offers custom apps on personal Google accounts with Google AI Pro or Ultra, for people 18 or older in the US, in English. School accounts like @duke.edu can't add them, and Keep Activity has to be on. If none of that works for you, use Claude or ChatGPT instead.
Gemini doesn't use it
Type @ and pick Duke Courses in your message, or mention "Duke Courses" in your question.
I'm on my phone
Add it on gemini.google.com first, in your phone's browser or on a computer. Then open the Gemini app and type @ to pick Duke Courses.
Having trouble? Email sujay.kolpuru@gmail.com.
Then ask
Stuck? We've got answers.
If something looks different in Claude, tap a question.
I'm on my phone
Add the connector once on claude.ai or the desktop app. It's saved to your Claude account, so it shows up in the mobile app too. Turn it on from the + menu in a chat.
Claude says I can't add another connector
The Free plan allows one custom connector. Remove the one you have under Customize › Connectors, then add Duke Courses.
I use a Team or Enterprise account
An owner of your organization adds it first, in Organization settings › Connectors. Then you find Duke Courses under Customize › Connectors and click Connect.
"Couldn't connect," or Claude asks me to sign in
Check the URL is exactly https://dukemcp.com/mcp and that you picked No sign in. To change a connector, remove it and add it again.
Claude doesn't use it
Make sure Duke Courses is switched on for that chat (step 5), or mention "Duke Courses" in your question.
Why don't I see instructors?
DukeHub hides instructors and rooms unless you sign in, and this never signs in. Some departments publish who teaches what, so you'll see names for those. Confirm in DukeHub before you register.
Still stuck? Email sujay.kolpuru@gmail.com.
Claude Code
Ready to plan your spring?
One click opens Claude with Duke Courses filled in. Pick No sign in and click Add.
Add to Claude Copy & add to ChatGPT
ChatGPT needs a few clicks: this button copies the URL, opens ChatGPT next to this page, and walks you through each one. Other assistants and step-by-step help