---
title: "02 Connecting to MDflow"
canonical_url: https://mdflow.cz/share/c/h0L7MvX5Cy5sST3qPnApqHOmrQ36JTVy169qJMtDMya9Kc30zm04cg9OuPSSPwvj/5c504c17-64be-489c-8830-4789fb3ceb75
md_url: https://mdflow.cz/share/c/h0L7MvX5Cy5sST3qPnApqHOmrQ36JTVy169qJMtDMya9Kc30zm04cg9OuPSSPwvj/5c504c17-64be-489c-8830-4789fb3ceb75.md
visibility: public
---

# Web Clipper: Connecting to MDflow

## Creating a token

1. Go to **[mdflow.cz/settings](https://mdflow.cz/settings)** and create a **Personal Access Token**.
2. **Copy it immediately** — a token is shown only once, at creation.
3. Paste it into the clipper's settings.

Tokens start with `mdf_`. Creating one requires **Pro**.

See [01 Personal Access Tokens](/doc/bdefa552-e9b6-4382-a479-91615474cf69) for how tokens work in general.

## Where the token lives

**The token is stored only in your local browser.** It is not synced to MDflow, and the extension holds no account of its own.

Two consequences:

- Set the clipper up **once per browser**. A new machine or a different browser needs the token pasting again.
- **Clearing your browser data disconnects it.** Nothing is lost on the MDflow side; you just paste the token again.

## What the token grants

Be deliberate here, because the grant is broad:

> A Personal Access Token is **account-wide**. It can read and write **every workspace** in your account and manage sharing. There is no clipper-only, folder-only, or write-only token.

For a browser extension, that is worth a thought. If you want to limit the blast radius, **create a token used only by the clipper** and revoke that one if you ever uninstall it, change machines, or suspect it leaked. Revocation is immediate, and does not affect your other tokens.

## The server URL

The clipper has a **configurable server URL**, defaulting to `https://mdflow.cz`. It supports self-hosted or local instances — useful if you run MDflow locally for development.

## Choosing a destination folder

The destination folder dropdown is **populated live from your workspace**, so it reflects your current folders rather than a stale copy.

## When something goes wrong

The clipper gives specific guidance rather than a generic failure, for each of:

| What you see | What it means |
| --- | --- |
| **Not connected** | No token has been pasted yet. |
| **Token invalid or expired** | The token was revoked, mistyped, or belongs to a deleted account. Create a new one in Settings. |
| **Folder no longer exists** | The destination folder was deleted or moved. Pick a new one. |
| **MDflow unreachable** | A network problem, or the server URL is wrong. |
| **Rate limited** | You have exceeded 60 requests per minute. Wait and retry. |

One error deserves its own note, because the cause is not obvious from the message:

> If saving fails with a **"Pro plan required"** error, the token is valid — the account simply is not on Pro. The clipper cannot write to MDflow on a Free plan. Clipboard and local-file destinations still work.