Usage
After installation and configuration, the PortDive MCP server is available as a tool in your AI assistant. Here's how to use it in your daily workflow.
Available tools
The MCP server provides 47 tools across 8 categories:
Market data
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
list_available_tickers | All available tickers with exchange/timeframe availability and data freshness |
get_ohlcv_with_indicators | OHLCV candles with technical indicators — multi-timeframe, compact columnar format |
Multi-timeframe analysis (MTA)
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
get_mta_snapshot | Current MTA snapshot: composite score/grade, signal breakdown, position sizing with ATR stops |
list_mta_snapshots | MTA snapshot history — track how a ticker's MTA grade changes over time |
Investment theses
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
list_theses | List theses — own, official, or filter by status |
get_thesis | Full thesis with baskets, ticker groups, and clone attribution |
create_thesis | Create a new thesis with inline basket and ticker definitions |
update_thesis | Update a thesis — only changed fields are overwritten |
delete_thesis | Permanently delete a thesis |
get_thesis_signals | Aggregated trading signals for a thesis or basket |
get_thesis_performance | Synthetic equal-weight portfolio performance since creation |
get_thesis_history | Version history — every mutation is automatically archived |
list_thesis_templates | Starter templates for new theses (de/en) |
Basket management
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
add_basket | Add a new basket (ticker group) to a thesis |
update_basket | Update basket metadata (description, entry/exit rules) |
manage_basket_items | Add or remove tickers in a basket |
Skills & prompts
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
list_skills | Browse skills — official, community, or your own |
get_skill | Get skill details: body, parameters, tags, resources, playbook DAG |
run_skill | Run a skill — assembles the prompt with parameters and referenced tools |
create_skill | Create a custom skill — reusable prompt templates with {{param}} placeholders |
update_skill | Update a skill — automatically archives the previous version |
delete_skill | Delete your own skill |
clone_skill | Clone a public skill into your workspace |
get_skill_resource | Get a skill resource (reference docs, scripts) |
get_skill_history | Skill version history |
attach_skill_to_thesis | Attach a skill to a thesis — appears as a recommended workflow |
list_thesis_skills | List skills attached to a thesis |
validate_playbook_dag | Validate a playbook DAG structure before saving |
add_skill_resource | Add a resource to a skill |
delete_skill_resource | Remove a resource from a skill |
upload_skill_asset | Upload a file asset to a skill |
delete_skill_asset | Delete a skill file asset |
Analysis & health
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
get_thesis_health | Comprehensive health check: signals, performance, version history, skills, data freshness |
suggest_thesis_structure | Context for AI-assisted thesis structuring with all available tickers |
Alpha log
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
add_alpha_log_entry | Log an analysis result, decision, or snapshot |
list_alpha_log_entries | Timeline entries filtered by thesis, ticker, or skill |
get_alpha_log_entry | Full alpha log entry with markdown content |
upload_alpha_log_attachment | Attach a file to an alpha log entry |
generate_alpha_log_upload_url | Generate a presigned upload URL for file attachments |
delete_alpha_log_attachment | Delete an alpha log attachment |
AI prompts
In addition to tools, 7 guided AI prompts are available that walk Claude through structured analysis workflows:
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
draft-thesis | Build a structured thesis from an idea — baskets, tickers, allocation |
thesis-health-check | Comprehensive health check: completeness, signals, diversification |
contrarian-challenge | Devil's advocate: bear cases, hidden risks, correlation traps |
signals-briefing | Synthesize current market signals across a thesis |
rebalance-analysis | Analyze portfolio drift and rebalancing opportunities |
ticker-due-diligence | Deep-dive on a single ticker within thesis context |
basket-entry-exit-rules | Generate markdown entry/exit rules for a basket |
Creating investment theses
Thematic thesis: "AI Picks & Shovels"
Create a thesis around AI infrastructure — the companies selling "picks and shovels" to the AI gold rush:
Create a new investment thesis "AI Picks & Shovels" via PortDive.
Gist: This thesis invests in companies providing the infrastructure
for the AI boom — compute capacity, semiconductors, cloud platforms,
and data infrastructure.
Create two baskets:
1. "GPU & Compute" with NVDA (NASDAQ), AMD (NASDAQ), NBIS (NASDAQ)
2. "Cloud & Data" with AMZN (NASDAQ), MSFT (NASDAQ), GOOG (NASDAQ)
Benchmark thesis: "Mag 7"
Create a thesis "Magnificent 7" via PortDive.
Gist: The seven largest US tech companies as a benchmark portfolio.
One basket "Core" with: AAPL, MSFT, AMZN, GOOG, META, NVDA, TSLA
— all on NASDAQ.
Analyzing existing theses
Overview of your portfolios:
List all my investment theses via PortDive.
Show me the current performance and aggregated signals
with grade and verdict for each thesis.
In-depth health check:
Run a health check on my "AI Picks & Shovels" thesis via PortDive.
Check signal quality, data freshness, and diversification.
Devil's advocate against a thesis:
Use the PortDive "contrarian-challenge" prompt for my
"AI Picks & Shovels" thesis. Show me bear cases,
correlation risks, and scenarios where the thesis fails.
Applying official skills
Skills are reusable analysis workflows you can apply to any ticker. Official skills are available in the skill library.
Fundamental Valuation with NBIS
Show me the official skills via PortDive.
Apply the "Fundamental Valuation" skill to the ticker NBIS.
Claude uses list_skills (scope: official), finds the skill, and runs it with run_skill. The skill assembles a structured analysis prompt that incorporates the available OHLCV data and indicators for NBIS.
Macro Risk Overlay with SPY
Find the official PortDive skill "Macro Risk Overlay" and
apply it to SPY. Assess the current macro risks
for the S&P 500.
Attaching skills to theses
Assign recurring analysis workflows directly to your thesis:
Attach the "Fundamental Valuation" skill to my
"AI Picks & Shovels" thesis. Then run it for all tickers
in the "GPU & Compute" basket.
Attached skills appear as recommended workflows the next time you analyze the thesis.
Creating custom skills
Create a new PortDive skill "Weekly Thesis Review".
Body:
Run a weekly review for the thesis {{thesis_name}}:
1. Get current signals and performance
2. Compare with last week
3. Identify action items
Parameters: thesis_name (string, required)
Tags: review, weekly, thesis
Tips
- Be specific: Name the ticker and timeframe when querying specific data
- Combine tools: Claude can use multiple MCP tools in a single request to build a complete picture
- Use prompts: The 7 guided AI prompts (
draft-thesis,thesis-health-check, etc.) offer structured workflows for complex analyses - Alpha log: Record key findings with
add_alpha_log_entry— they're available as context in future analyses - Markdown everywhere: Text fields like gist, description, and entry/exit rules support markdown formatting
Troubleshooting
MCP server not recognized
- Check that
claude_desktop_config.jsonis properly formatted (valid JSON) - Make sure the path
/usr/local/bin/portdive-mcpexists - Fully restart Claude Desktop (
⌘ + Q, then reopen)
Authentication errors
- Check that your token is valid (not revoked)
- Create a new token in the PortDive settings if needed
- Make sure your subscription is active (INTELLIGENCE or PREMIUM)
Connection issues
- Check your internet connection
- Test the health check:
portdive-mcp --healthin the terminal - The MCP server connects to
https://api.portdive.appautomatically — no manual configuration needed