This guide gets you from zero to querying Canadian property data with an AI agent in under 5 minutes. No custom code required. Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and any MCP-compatible AI client.
Prerequisites
- A BrightCat data subscription (or a sample access request — contact us)
- A Snowflake account (free tier works)
- An MCP-compatible AI client (Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, or a custom agent)
Step 1 — Request MCP access
Contact BrightCat and request MCP access. We will provision your Snowflake data share and send you OAuth credentials. This typically takes less than one business day.
You will receive: a Snowflake share URL, an OAuth client ID and secret, and the MCP server endpoint URL.
Step 2 — Accept the Snowflake share
Log into your Snowflake account and accept the BrightCat data share. This makes BrightCat data queryable inside your Snowflake environment. No data is copied — it's a live share that refreshes automatically.
Once accepted, you can verify access by running a simple query against the sample tables.
If you don't have a Snowflake account, you can create one for free at
signup.snowflake.com. The BrightCat data share works with any Snowflake edition.
Step 3 — Configure OAuth
Use the OAuth credentials we provided to create a security integration in Snowflake. This authorises the MCP connection between your AI client and the BrightCat data.
The configuration involves setting the OAuth client ID, secret, and roles. Full configuration details are included in the access email.
Step 4 — Register the MCP server
Add the BrightCat MCP server to your AI client. The process varies by client:
- Claude Desktop: Add the MCP server URL in Settings → Developer → MCP Servers. Claude will discover available tools automatically.
- Claude API / custom agents: Pass the MCP server URL in the
mcp_servers parameter of your API call.
- ChatGPT / Gemini: Follow the MCP server registration process for your platform. BrightCat's MCP server is compatible with any client that supports the open MCP standard.
Step 5 — Start querying
That's it. Ask your AI agent a question about Canadian property data:
Try these:
• "How many active listings are there in Ontario right now?"
• "What's the average asking price for houses in Calgary?"
• "Show me commercial real estate properties listed for both sale and lease in Toronto."
• "What sold in Vancouver last month above $2M?"
The AI agent discovers available tables, formulates SQL queries, and returns structured results — all within the conversation.
What's available via MCP
Your AI agent can access all five BrightCat products through the MCP connector:
- Listings — 6M+ properties tracked weekly across all 10 provinces
- Sold — 899K+ historical transaction events with price and DOM
- Rentals — Rental market intelligence from 26,000+ buildings
- Commercial — 315,000+ commercial real estate properties with dual-listing signals
- Core — Unified property master with HPI repeat-sale pairs
Troubleshooting
If the AI agent can't connect, check these common issues:
- OAuth error: Verify your client ID and secret match exactly. Check that the Snowflake role is set correctly.
- No tables found: Ensure you've accepted the Snowflake data share and it's visible in your account.
- Timeout: Some queries against large datasets may take a few seconds. If timeouts persist, try narrowing your query with province or date filters.
For any issues not covered here, contact us directly. We respond within one business day.
Frequently asked questions
How long does MCP setup take?
Most teams complete the setup in under 5 minutes once they have Snowflake access and OAuth credentials. The MCP server registration is a single configuration step in your AI client.
Which AI platforms support MCP?
Claude (Desktop and API), ChatGPT, Gemini, and any MCP-compatible AI client. BrightCat's MCP server works with all of them.
Do I need Snowflake to use MCP?
BrightCat's MCP connector runs through Snowflake's MCP infrastructure. You need a Snowflake account to authenticate. The data share itself is free to accept.
What data can AI agents access via MCP?
All five BrightCat products: Listings (6M+ properties), Sold (899K+ events), Rentals (26K+ buildings), Commercial (315K+ properties), and Core (unified master with HPI pairs).
Is MCP access included in my BrightCat subscription?
Yes. MCP access is included with any BrightCat data subscription. No additional fees for AI agent access.
Five steps. Five minutes. Your AI agent now has access to 12 years of Canadian property data across all 10 provinces.
BrightCat Data · MCP Quickstart Guide · Works with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and custom agents
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