# Are.na

```json
{
  "name": "Are.na",
  "slug": "arena",
  "url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/arena",
  "markdown_url": "https://composio.dev/toolkits/arena.md",
  "logo_url": "https://logos.composio.dev/api/arena",
  "categories": [
    "design & creative tools"
  ],
  "is_composio_managed": false,
  "updated_at": "2026-08-19T06:37:14.964Z"
}
```

![Are.na logo](https://logos.composio.dev/api/arena)

## Description

Securely connect your AI agents and chatbots (Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, etc) with Are.na MCP or direct API to search channels, collect blocks, organize research, and summarize creative references through natural language.

## Summary

Are.na is a creative research platform for collecting images, links, notes, and ideas in channels.
Use it to organize inspiration, build knowledge maps, and connect research across projects.

## Categories

- design & creative tools

## Toolkit Details

- Tools: 10

## Images

- Logo: https://logos.composio.dev/api/arena

## Authentication

- **Api Key**
  - Type: `api_key`
  - Description: Api Key authentication for Are.na.
  - Setup:
    - Configure Api Key credentials for Are.na.
    - Use the credentials when creating an auth config in Composio.

## Suggested Prompts

- Collect inspiration links into design channel
- Summarize blocks in research channel
- Find public channels about typography

## Supported Tools

| Tool slug | Name | Description |
|---|---|---|
| `ARENA_ADD_TO_CHANNELS` | Add To Channels | Add an existing Are.na block or channel to one or more target channels without duplicating the underlying resource. |
| `ARENA_CREATE_CHANNEL` | Create Channel | Create a user-owned Are.na channel, closed by default, and return its stable numeric ID and generated slug. |
| `ARENA_DELETE_CHANNEL` | Delete Channel | Permanently delete one Are.na channel the authenticated user is allowed to destroy. This cannot be undone. |
| `ARENA_GET_BLOCK` | Get Block | Get the details of one Are.na block by ID, including its subtype, content, source, creator, and metadata. |
| `ARENA_GET_CHANNEL` | Get Channel | Get an Are.na channel by numeric ID or slug, including visibility, counts, owner, and the current user's permissions. |
| `ARENA_GET_CURRENT_USER` | Get Current User | Return the identity and account details for the authenticated Are.na user. |
| `ARENA_GET_MY_FEED` | Get My Feed | Return one page of the authenticated user's personalized Are.na activity feed, newest first. Call again with next_cursor only when another page is needed. |
| `ARENA_LIST_CHANNEL_CONTENTS` | List Channel Contents | Return one page of blocks and nested channels from an Are.na channel, with optional sorting and contributor filtering. |
| `ARENA_REMOVE_FROM_CHANNEL` | Remove From Channel | Remove one block or nested channel placement from an Are.na channel. This deletes only the connection; the underlying block or channel remains intact and may still exist in other channels. |
| `ARENA_UPDATE_CHANNEL` | Update Channel | Update selected fields of an Are.na channel the authenticated user can edit. Fields omitted from the request remain unchanged. |

## Supported Triggers

None listed.

## Installation and MCP Setup

### Path 1: SDK Installation

#### Path 1, Step 1: Install Composio

Install the Composio SDK
```python
pip install composio_openai
```

```typescript
npm install @composio/openai
```

#### Path 1, Step 2: Initialize Composio and Create Tool Router Session

Import and initialize Composio client, then create a Tool Router session
```python
from openai import OpenAI
from composio import Composio
from composio_openai import OpenAIResponsesProvider

composio = Composio(provider=OpenAIResponsesProvider())
openai = OpenAI()
session = composio.create(user_id='your-user-id')
```

```typescript
import OpenAI from 'openai';
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';
import { OpenAIResponsesProvider } from '@composio/openai';

const composio = new Composio({
  provider: new OpenAIResponsesProvider(),
});
const openai = new OpenAI({});
const session = await composio.create('your-user-id');
```

#### Path 1, Step 3: Execute Are.na Tools via Tool Router with Your Agent

Get tools from Tool Router session and execute Are.na actions with your Agent
```python
tools = session.tools
response = openai.responses.create(
  model='gpt-4.1',
  tools=tools,
  input=[{
    'role': 'user',
    'content': 'Find public Are.na channels about typography inspiration'
  }]
)
result = composio.provider.handle_tool_calls(
  response=response,
  user_id='your-user-id'
)
print(result)
```

```typescript
const tools = session.tools;
const response = await openai.responses.create({
  model: 'gpt-4.1',
  tools: tools,
  input: [{
    role: 'user',
    content: 'Find public Are.na channels about typography inspiration'
  }],
});
const result = await composio.provider.handleToolCalls(
  'your-user-id',
  response.output
);
console.log(result);
```

### Path 2: MCP Server Setup

#### Path 2, Step 1: Install Composio

Install the Composio SDK for Python or TypeScript
```python
pip install composio claude-agent-sdk
```

```typescript
npm install @composio/core ai @ai-sdk/openai @ai-sdk/mcp
```

#### Path 2, Step 2: Initialize Client and Create Tool Router Session

Import and initialize the Composio client, then create a Tool Router session for Are.na
```python
from composio import Composio
from claude_agent_sdk import ClaudeSDKClient, ClaudeAgentOptions

composio = Composio(api_key='your-composio-api-key')
session = composio.create(user_id='your-user-id')
url = session.mcp.url
```

```typescript
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';

const composio = new Composio({ apiKey: 'your-api-key' });
const session = await composio.create('your-user-id');
console.log(`Tool Router session created: ${session.mcp.url}`);
```

#### Path 2, Step 3: Connect to AI Agent

Use the MCP server with your AI agent (Anthropic Claude or Mastra)
```python
import asyncio

options = ClaudeAgentOptions(
    permission_mode='bypassPermissions',
    mcp_servers={
        'tool_router': {
            'type': 'http',
            'url': url,
            'headers': {
                'x-api-key': 'your-composio-api-key'
            }
        }
    },
    system_prompt='You are a helpful assistant with access to Are.na tools.',
    max_turns=10
)

async def main():
    async with ClaudeSDKClient(options=options) as client:
        await client.query('Summarize the blocks in my Are.na research channel')
        async for message in client.receive_response():
            if hasattr(message, 'content'):
                for block in message.content:
                    if hasattr(block, 'text'):
                        print(block.text)

asyncio.run(main())
```

```typescript
import { openai } from '@ai-sdk/openai';
import { experimental_createMCPClient as createMCPClient } from '@ai-sdk/mcp';
import { generateText } from 'ai';

const client = await createMCPClient({
  transport: {
    type: 'http',
    url: session.mcp.url,
    headers: {
      'x-api-key': 'your-composio-api-key',
    },
  },
});

const tools = await client.tools();
const { text } = await generateText({
  model: openai('gpt-4o'),
  tools,
  messages: [{
    role: 'user',
    content: 'Summarize the blocks in my Are.na research channel'
  }],
  maxSteps: 5,
});

console.log(`Agent: ${text}`);
```

## Why Use Composio?

### 1. AI Native Are.na Integration

- Supports both Are.na MCP and direct API based integrations
- Structured, LLM-friendly schemas for reliable channel and block actions
- Rich coverage for finding, reading, and organizing creative research in Are.na

### 2. Managed Auth

- Secure API key handling so your Are.na credentials are not hard-coded in agent code
- Central place to manage, scope, and revoke Are.na access
- Per user and per environment credentials for cleaner production setups

### 3. Agent Optimized Design

- Tools are shaped so agents can understand Are.na channels, blocks, and connections clearly
- Execution logs help you see exactly what your agent searched, created, or updated
- Less glue code, fewer brittle prompts, and a smoother path from idea to working agent

### 4. Enterprise Grade Security

- Fine-grained RBAC so you control which agents and users can access Are.na
- Scoped, least privilege access to Are.na research resources
- Full audit trail of agent actions to support review and compliance

## Use Are.na with any AI Agent Framework

Choose a framework you want to connect Are.na with:

- [ChatGPT Work](https://composio.dev/toolkits/arena/framework/chatgpt)
- [Claude Cowork](https://composio.dev/toolkits/arena/framework/claude-cowork)
- [Hermes](https://composio.dev/toolkits/arena/framework/hermes-agent)

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## Frequently Asked Questions

### Do I need my own developer credentials to use Are.na with Composio?

Yes, Are.na requires you to configure your own API key. Once set up, Composio handles secure credential storage and API request handling for you.

### Can I use multiple toolkits together?

Yes! Composio's Tool Router enables agents to use multiple toolkits. [Learn more](https://docs.composio.dev/tool-router/overview).

### Is Composio secure?

Composio is SOC 2 and ISO 27001 compliant with all data encrypted in transit and at rest. [Learn more](https://trust.composio.dev).

### What if the API changes?

Composio maintains and updates all toolkit integrations automatically, so your agents always work with the latest API versions.

---
[See all toolkits](https://composio.dev/toolkits) · [Composio docs](https://docs.composio.dev/llms.txt)