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Rowset Logo Rowset

Agent-native data backend

Dataset backends for AI agents

Rowset gives trusted agents hosted MCP tools and a REST API for structured rows. They create datasets, keep indexes stable, update records, export snapshots, and share read-only previews when humans need to inspect the result.

Start free Read quickstart

Private by default. Bearer-key authenticated. Public previews are optional, read-only, and separate from MCP or REST access.

Agent setup

MCP URL

https://app.rowset.com/mcp/

Private

You are a data operator.

Use Rowset MCP tools to manage rows.

Prefer stable_index for updates.

Do not guess IDs.

Auth
Bearer key
Index
stable_index
Preview
off

dataset

customer_events

4,782 rows
Example Rowset dataset rows
Key Plan Status Next action
A182-0001 pro active Check renewal
A182-0002 free trial Send setup guide
A182-0003 team blocked Confirm owner
create_dataset get_dataset update_row export.jsonl public_preview.off create_dataset get_dataset update_row export.jsonl public_preview.off
MCP tools
Create, read, update, delete rows
REST API
Predictable endpoints and bearer auth
Stable index
Business keys or generated rowset_id
Private default
Public previews only when enabled
Exports
CSV, JSONL, XLSX, SQLite, Parquet

Setup

Three steps to agent-ready data

The human handoff stays small. The agent owns the row work through authenticated tools.

Connect MCP REST API

  1. 01

    Copy the setup prompt

    Give your agent the MCP URL, REST base URL, dataset rules, and context.

    ROWSET_API_KEY

    stored privately

  2. 02

    Authorize with a bearer key

    Keys stay scoped to your account. The agent verifies access before creating data.

    Authorization: Bearer

  3. 03

    Let the agent manage rows

    It creates datasets, updates rows by stable keys, exports snapshots, and keeps previews explicit.

    create_row update_row export_dataset

Operational layer

From file to API-backed rows

Rowset does not need to own source connectors. Your agent can read local files, sheets, databases, or exports with its own tools, then write the structured working set to Rowset.

customers.csv

email, plan, status, signup_date ana@acme.co, pro, active dev@orbit.dev, team, blocked

The source can stay wherever it belongs.

Agent instruction

Maintain customer_events.

Add new customers.

Update plan changes.

Export weekly.

The agent translates context into stable row operations.

Rowset dataset

Rows
5,231
Index
stable_index
Access
MCP + REST

Rowset returns consistent, queryable rows.

Why Rowset

Agents need state, not another fixed app

A dataset is enough structure for an agent to keep working without making a human operate a spreadsheet or build a backend first.

Shape changes by job
The agent creates headers, instructions, metadata, and schema details that fit the workflow.
Indexes stay explicit
Use a business key when one exists. Use rowset_id when the source has no stable identifier.
Humans keep control
The dashboard is for setup, current state, exports, settings, and public preview review.
Private path stays private
MCP and REST stay authenticated. Public previews are read-only browser sharing, not an auth shortcut.

Decision

Why not a spreadsheet or custom backend?

Spreadsheets are easy to inspect but awkward for agents to mutate safely. Custom backends are durable but slow to build for a new workflow. Rowset sits in the middle.

Comparison between spreadsheets, custom backends, and Rowset
Capability Spreadsheet Custom backend Rowset
Agent-native MCP and REST Manual Weeks of work Production-ready
Stable row handles Easy to break Custom to build Built in
Private authenticated writes Limited or manual Complex to implement Bearer-key access
Exports for handoff Manual Custom pipeline CSV, JSONL, XLSX, SQLite, Parquet
Human review preview Links and permissions Custom to implement Optional and read-only

Use cases

Workflow-shaped datasets

Start with one row shape the agent can maintain without guessing. Expand when the workflow proves useful.

task_id

Agent task board

Shared task state across agent sessions, owners, blockers, and completion evidence.

feedback_id

Feedback triage

Deduplicate signals, preserve source links, assign themes, and export accepted rows.

email

Personal CRM

Let an agent keep follow-ups, relationship state, notes, and stale-contact reviews current.

Browse use cases

Start with one dataset

Give your next agent workflow a real backend

Create an account, connect a trusted agent, and let it manage structured rows through MCP or REST.

Start free View setup guide

codex mcp add rowset

ready

--url https://app.rowset.com/mcp/

--bearer-token-env-var ROWSET_API_KEY

First tool
get_user_info
First dataset
create_dataset
First handoff
export_dataset