Connect Claude to your tools

Connectors let Claude look things up and take actions in the tools you already use, such as finding a file in Google Drive, drafting a Gmail reply or updating a Notion page. This article explains how they work, how to add them and how to stay in control.

How connectors work

Connectors are built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard for linking AI assistants to other software. A tool that supports MCP runs an “MCP server”. The server tells Claude which actions are available (for example “search files” or “create draft”), and Claude calls those actions when your request needs them.

Claude always works with your permissions. If your Google account cannot open a folder, Claude cannot open it either.

Types of connectors

Type	Where it runs	How you add it	Typical examples
Directory connector	Online, hosted by the tool’s maker	Pick it from Claude’s connector directory and sign in	Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion, Slack
Custom connector	Online, at a URL you provide	Paste the remote MCP server URL	Your own n8n instance, an internal company tool
Local MCP server	On your own computer, through the desktop app	Install a desktop extension	File system access, tools that only run locally

Remote connectors (the first two) work on the web, desktop and mobile. Local MCP servers only work in the desktop app on the computer where they are installed.

Add a connector from the directory

1. Open Claude’s settings and find Connectors (in some versions this sits under Customize).
2. Browse the directory, or search for the tool you want.
3. Click the connector and choose to connect.
4. Sign in to the tool in the window that opens, and review which access Claude asks for.
5. Approve. The connector now shows as connected.

Note: On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner decides which connectors are available. If you cannot find or enable one, ask your Claude admin.

Use a connector in a chat

Connectors can be switched on and off per chat, which keeps Claude focused and saves usage.

1. In the chat box, click the + button.
2. Open the connectors or tools menu.
3. Switch on the connectors this chat needs and switch off the rest.
4. Ask in plain language, for example: “Find the latest signed proposal for this client in Drive and summarise the scope.”

Add a custom connector

Use this when a tool gives you an MCP server URL that is not in the directory. A common case is n8n: an n8n instance can expose an MCP server so Claude can find and run your workflows. See Use the n8n MCP server for that setup.

1. Open the Connectors settings.
2. Choose to add a custom connector.
3. Give it a name and paste the remote MCP server URL.
4. If the provider gave you an OAuth client ID and secret, enter them under the advanced settings.
5. Add the connector, then connect and sign in if asked.

On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds custom connectors for the organisation in the admin settings, and members then connect their own account. Free accounts can add only a limited number of custom connectors.

Warning: Custom connectors are not reviewed by Anthropic. Only add servers from providers you trust, and never paste a URL from an unknown source.

Local MCP servers in the desktop app

Some tools run on your own computer instead of online. The desktop app installs these as extensions.

1. In the Claude desktop app, open Settings and find Extensions.
2. Browse the extensions directory and choose one.
3. Install it and fill in any settings it needs, such as a folder path or API key.
4. The extension’s tools are now available in your chats on that computer.

If you are not sure what a local server does, do not install it: it runs on your machine with your access.

Stay in control of permissions

Claude asks for approval before it uses a connector tool, especially for actions that change something. You usually see options to allow it once or to always allow it.

• Allow once for anything that sends, deletes, publishes or pays.
• Always allow only for read-only tools from providers you trust, such as searching your own files.
• Disconnect connectors you no longer use from the Connectors settings.

Be careful with outside content. A web page, email or document can contain hidden instructions meant to trick an AI. This is called prompt injection. Read approval requests before you click, and stop the chat if Claude tries something you did not ask for.

Tip: Connect with the narrowest access that works. A shared Drive folder for one client is safer than your whole company Drive.

If you want help choosing and setting up connectors and n8n workflows for your team, book a strategic call: https://calendly.com/marrallisa/30min

Next steps

• Use the n8n MCP server
• Memory, privacy and your data
• Give Claude lasting context with Projects
• Build workflows with Claude