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

# Get started

> Learn how to apply for the watsonx Orchestrate Agent Connect program and how you can provide your solutions in the watsonx Orchestrate platform

## Requirements

Use this checklist to prepare what you'll need before you start. If something isn't ready yet, you can still sign in and begin.

### Account and Access

* Valid [watsonx Orchestrate <Icon icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" iconType="solid" />](https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-orchestrate) license
* [IBM Cloud account <Icon icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" iconType="solid" />](https://cloud.ibm.com/) for your company
* Permissions to create or edit product listings and submit onboarding information

### Business Information and Documents

* **Company legal details**: official name, address, and contact information
* **Required documents**:
  * Tax documentation (W-9, W-8, or local equivalent)
  * Banking information for payouts
  * Additional documents for international entities (if applicable)
* You'll accept agreements and upload these documents in the IBM Concierge app

### Product Listing Information

* **Product name and description**: clear, customer-friendly language
* **Category or domain**: helps customers discover your offering
* **Support contact**: email address or support URL
* **Pricing model**: plan details and pricing structure

### Your Agent

Determine your agent type:

* **Native agent**: runs within watsonx Orchestrate, built with the [Agent Development Kit <Icon icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" iconType="solid" />](https://developer.watson-orchestrate.ibm.com/). Requires packaging and submission. See [Native Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-native) for details.
* **External agent**: hosted outside watsonx Orchestrate, connected via API. Requires service endpoint and credentials. See [External Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-external) for details.

<Note>
  **For external agents**: Prepare persistent test credentials for IBM QA validation. These credentials should remain valid throughout the onboarding process.
</Note>

### MCP Server Integration (Optional)

If your agent requires MCP (Model Context Protocol) server capabilities:

* Review the [MCP Server Integration guide](../agent/mcp-server) (temporary solution)
* Prepare your JSON metadata template with agent and MCP server configuration
* Submit to **[IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com](mailto:IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com)** with subject "MCP Server Metadata - \[Your Company Name]"
* IBM will build the MCP server for you during the onboarding process
* Timeline: Typically 3-5 business days for MCP server setup

<Warning>
  **Temporary solution**: IBM currently builds MCP servers for partners. Self-service capabilities are coming soon.
</Warning>

### Team Roles (Recommended)

* **Business or Admin**: handles agreements, documents, listing details, pricing, and support information
* **Technical or Engineer**: manages agent packaging (Native) or connection setup (External)

<Tip>**Tip:** Keep your listing descriptions concise and your support info accurate. This speeds reviews and avoids back-and-forth.</Tip>

## Setup

Follow these steps the first time you use the IBM Concierge app. You can complete them in order or split them across your team.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Sign up for IBM Agent Connect">
    1. Navigate to the [IBM Agent Connect <Icon icon="arrow-up-right-from-square" iconType="solid" />](https://www.ibm.com/products/watsonx-orchestrate/agent-connect) page.
    2. Sign up and provide your company's information.
    3. Wait until you receive an email with an invitation link.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Sign in and orient yourself">
    1. **Open the invitation link** you received by email.
    2. **Sign in** with your IBM credentials.
    3. Watch the introductory videos.
    4. Click the **My AI products** section or the **Get started** button to begin.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide your company's information">
    1. On the **Get started** page, provide the legal name of your company.
    2. Click **Save**.
    3. Assign access to other members of your team, if needed.
    4. Click **Let's go** to proceed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create AI products">
    1. Click **Create** to add your AI product.
    2. Select your product type.
    3. Click **Next**.
    4. Provide a **Display name** and a **Programmatic name**. The display name is used to show your product's name in the UI, and the programmatic name is a unique identifier used by IBM's services and tools.
    5. Click **Next**.
    6. Review your product details and click **Create** to proceed.
    7. If you want to change your product's programmatic name, you must do it before you click the **Confirm** button in the **Product details** page.
    8. After confirming the programmatic name, your product is sent for review and approval. Wait until the product is approved to proceed.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create or prepare your agent">
    While you are waiting for approval, you can start working on your agent.

    An agent is the core component you're onboarding to work with watsonx Orchestrate.

    Choose the appropriate guide based on your agent type:

    * **Native agents**: Follow the [Native Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-native) guide to build, package, and prepare your agent using the ADK.
    * **External agents**: Follow the [External Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-external) guide to prepare your service endpoint and credentials.

    **Optional - MCP Server Integration:**
    If your agent needs MCP server capabilities, review the [MCP Server Integration guide](../agent/mcp-server) and prepare your metadata for submission to **[IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com](mailto:IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com)**.

    Wait until you can submit your agent to complete the process.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Provide your payment information">
    1. After approval, go to the **Payments to me** section.
    2. Follow the instructions on the page and fill out the forms.
    3. Send the appropriate documentation to the provided email addresses.
    4. Check the **I confirm that I have completed and emailed all of the required documents** box and click **Request approval**.
    5. Once approved, you can continue with your product's listing.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Create your product listing">
    1. Navigate to **My AI products** → **Catalog entry**.
    2. You can add details for your product's entry in this section.
    3. Go to the **Support** page and add information about how users can get support for your product.
    4. Navigate to the **Brokers** page and provide a broker to connect your product to the IBM Concierge app. To learn how to create and onboard a broker, see [Service Broker](../broker/broker).
    5. On the **Pricing** page, define your pricing details, and provide your **Export Control Classification Number** (ECCN). To learn more about pricing and how to find your ECCN, refer to [Pricing and metering](../pricing).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Onboard your agent">
    After the approval of your listing, you can proceed with the steps to onboard your agent:

    * **Native agents**: Complete the packaging and submission steps in [Native Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-native).
    * **External agents**: Submit your agent details through the IBM Concierge webform as described in [External Agent Onboarding](../agent/onboard-external).

    **Important**: Both agent types require TSV validation files. See [Validating your agent](../evaluate/evaluate) for details.

    For questions or support, contact **[IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com](mailto:IBMAgentConnect@ibm.com)**.
  </Step>
</Steps>