> SpecStream is the live web data engine for teams and agents. This is the Markdown copy of https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations/rovo-dev-cli. Every page, with what SpecStream does and costs: https://specstream.ai/llms.txt

# Rovo Dev CLI

Add SpecStream to Rovo Dev CLI with one entry in `~/.rovodev/mcp.json`, and Atlassian's coding agent can search the live web, read whole pages and build lists of records from your terminal.

[SpecStream for Rovo Dev CLICoding agents](https://specstream.ai/integrations/rovo-dev-cli.md)

## What you need

-   Rovo Dev CLI, installed through ACLI, on a site with Rovo Dev activated.
-   A SpecStream account. New accounts get $10 of credit, no card.

1.  1

    ## 1. Create a SpecStream API key

    Rovo Dev's MCP docs show remote servers authenticating with a header, so SpecStream's key goes in one. In your SpecStream workspace, open **Agents & API**, choose **API keys**, then **Create API key**, and set a total spending limit.

2.  2

    ## 2. Add SpecStream to mcp.json

    Run `acli rovodev mcp` to open `~/.rovodev/mcp.json` in your default editor. Add the `specstream` entry under `mcpServers`, keep any servers already there, and put your key in place of `YOUR_SPECSTREAM_API_KEY`.

    SpecStream uses Streamable HTTP, so the transport is `http`. Atlassian's sample entry is missing a comma after `"transport": "http"`. The entry below is valid JSON.

    ~/.rovodev/mcp.json

    ```json
    {
      "mcpServers": {
        "specstream": {
          "url": "https://api.specstream.ai/mcp",
          "headers": {
            "Authorization": "Bearer YOUR_SPECSTREAM_API_KEY"
          },
          "transport": "http",
          "enable_instructions": true
        }
      }
    }
    ```

3.  3

    ## 3. Start Rovo Dev and check the server

    Exit any session that was open before the edit, then run `acli rovodev run`. In the session, type `/mcp`. SpecStream is listed with its status and its tools.

    Terminal

    ```bash
    acli rovodev run
    ```

4.  4

    ## 4. Ask Rovo Dev

    Ask for something current and name SpecStream. Rovo Dev calls `search_web` for a quick answer and `read_pages` for the full text of the pages it found:

    In a Rovo Dev session

    ```text
    Use SpecStream to find the current stable release of Node.js and read its release notes.
    ```

## What Rovo Dev gets

SpecStream's server at `https://api.specstream.ai/mcp` adds these tools to Rovo Dev.

-   `search_web` answers a question from the live web, with up to 10 results for $5 per 1,000 searches. A search that returns nothing costs nothing.
-   `read_pages` returns the main text of up to 20 pages or documents (PDF, Word, Excel) in one call, at $0.80 per 1,000 pages. A page that gives no text is not charged.
-   Deep Search builds a list from a request in plain words. `compile` reads the request, `quote_capacity_work` prices it for free, and `authorize_capacity_work` starts it only after you approve the maximum. `get_find` and `list_find_rows` read the rows, each with its source.

## Server instructions

Rovo Dev passes a server's instructions into the agent's system prompt unless the entry sets `enable_instructions` to `false`. Leave it on for SpecStream. Its instructions tell the agent which tool fits a question, and that nothing paid starts before you approve the quote.

## Approvals in Rovo Dev

The first time Rovo Dev uses a tool, it asks for permission: **Once**, **Session** or **Always**. **Always** saves the choice to `~/.rovodev/config.yml`. YOLO mode (`acli rovodev run --yolo`) does not change this: MCP tools keep their configured permissions.

Searches and page reads are charged per call with no quote. Answer **Once** for `authorize_capacity_work`, so you see every Deep Search run before it starts. SpecStream adds its own gate there: nothing paid starts until you approve the price it quotes.

## Keep the key out of your repositories

`~/.rovodev/mcp.json` sits in your home folder, outside your repositories. Give the key its own spending limit. If it leaks, revoke it under **Agents & API** and create a new one.

## Search quality

SpecStream's Search API scores 97.9 F-score on all 1,000 SimpleQA Verified questions and 64.0 item F1 on all 200 WideSearch tasks. The method is on [benchmarks](https://specstream.ai/benchmarks.md).

## Cost

Connecting SpecStream to Rovo Dev CLI is free, and new accounts start with $10 of credit. A search of up to 10 results costs $5 per 1,000, and a page read costs $0.80 per 1,000. Deep Search is priced per delivered row and quoted before it runs, and a run can't cost more than the maximum you approved. See [pricing](https://specstream.ai/pricing.md) and [how billing works](https://specstream.ai/docs/billing.md).

## Turn it off or remove it

To pause SpecStream, type `/mcp` in a session and disable it, or list `specstream` under `disabledMcpServers` in the `mcp` section of `~/.rovodev/config.yml`. To remove it, delete the entry from `~/.rovodev/mcp.json` and revoke the key under **Agents & API** in your SpecStream workspace. Questions: [support@specstream.ai](mailto:support@specstream.ai).

## More

[SpecStream for Rovo Dev CLI](https://specstream.ai/integrations/rovo-dev-cli.md) covers what it does in Rovo Dev CLI on one page. Every other tool has its guide in [Connect your tools](https://specstream.ai/docs/integrations.md). You see the most a request can cost before it starts, and the matches are paid from your balance. [Billing](https://specstream.ai/docs/billing.md) has the details. For help, email [support@specstream.ai](mailto:support@specstream.ai).