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

# Developer overview

> Choose between the public API, embedding, and the MCP server to build on Basedash

Basedash gives developers three ways to build on it: the public API to automate Basedash, embedding to put Basedash in your product, and the MCP server to use Basedash from AI tools.

## Which one to use

| You want to | Use |
| - | - |
| Manage members, groups, data sources, dashboards, or automations from code | [Public API](/docs/api-reference/overview) |
| Ask questions or start chats from your own scripts and tools | [Public API](/docs/api-reference/overview) |
| Show Basedash dashboards to your customers inside your app | [Embedding](/docs/developers/embedding) |
| Give your customers the full Basedash app, with their own logins and data | [Embedding](/docs/developers/embedding#full-app-embedding) |
| Use Basedash from Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, or another AI client | [MCP server](/docs/features/mcp-server) |
| Let Basedash AI call tools in your other systems | [MCP connectors](/docs/features/mcp-connectors) |

## Public API

The public API is a REST API at `https://charts.basedash.com/api/public/`. Use it to:

* Invite members, manage roles, and manage groups.
* Add and update data sources and MCP servers.
* Create and update dashboards, charts, models, and skills.
* Start and run automations, generate insights, and start chats.
* Read audit logs and AI usage.

Authenticate with a personal API key from **Settings → API keys**. A key acts as the person who created it, so it can only do what their role and access allow. Admin-only endpoints need an admin's key.

Start with the [API overview](/docs/api-reference/overview), then browse the endpoints in the sidebar.

## Embedding

Embedding puts Basedash inside your product. There are two options:

* **Dashboard embedding**: show a single dashboard in an iframe, with optional secure filters so each viewer only sees their own data.
* **Full app embedding**: give each of your users a Basedash account inside your app, signed in with a JWT from your server, so they can chat, build dashboards, and explore data.

If you build with React, the [React SDK](/docs/developers/embedding-react-sdk) wraps full app embedding in a component.

See [Embedding](/docs/developers/embedding) to get started. Embedding is available on the Enterprise plan.

## MCP server

The Basedash MCP server lets AI clients that support the Model Context Protocol query your data, find dashboards, and create charts, using your Basedash login and permissions. It's the quickest way to use Basedash from tools your team already uses, with no code to write.

See [MCP server](/docs/features/mcp-server) for setup in Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, and other clients.

## Related

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="API overview" icon="code" href="/docs/api-reference/overview">
    Authenticate and make your first request.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Embedding" icon="window-maximize" href="/docs/developers/embedding">
    Put Basedash in your product.
  </Card>

  <Card title="React SDK" icon="react" href="/docs/developers/embedding-react-sdk">
    Embed Basedash with a React component.
  </Card>

  <Card title="MCP server" icon="plug" href="/docs/features/mcp-server">
    Use Basedash from AI tools.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


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