{"sourceType":"url","sourceUrl":"https://dev.to/arshtechpro/claude-connectors-explained-how-to-give-claude-access-to-your-tools-471k","contentType":"news","apex":{"label":"Claude Connectors extend Claude's capabilities","type":"APEX","id":"n1","children":[{"parentId":"n1","text":"Connectors provide Claude access to external tools, data sources, and services using the Model Context Protocol.","children":[{"type":"FACT","label":"Connectors extend Claude's capabilities","parentId":"n2","text":"They give Claude access to external tools, data sources, and services.","children":[],"id":"n3"},{"parentId":"n2","text":"The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard created by Anthropic.","id":"n4","children":[],"type":"FACT","label":"MCP is the powering protocol"},{"type":"FACT","label":"Workflow example using connected apps","parentId":"n2","text":"A product manager can query Amplitude, create a Canva deck, and drop the link into Asana.","children":[],"id":"n5"}],"id":"n2","type":"SECT","label":"What Connectors are and function"},{"id":"n6","children":[{"label":"Connector function one: Provide tools and data","type":"FACT","id":"n7","children":[],"parentId":"n6","text":"This allows Claude to perform actions like reading files, sending emails, or querying databases."},{"parentId":"n6","text":"An MCP server can render interactive elements like charts, maps, or forms in the conversation.","children":[],"id":"n8","type":"FACT","label":"Connector function two: Surface UI components"}],"parentId":"n1","text":"MCP defines communication between Claude and external services, allowing two main functions.","label":"How the integration works via MCP","type":"SECT"},{"type":"SECT","label":"Types of available Connectors","parentId":"n1","text":"Connectors are categorized based on their origin and functionality.","children":[{"id":"n10","children":[{"id":"n11","children":[],"parentId":"n10","text":"Services supported immediately are Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, GitHub, Slack, and Microsoft 365.","label":"First-party services include Google Drive","type":"FACT"}],"parentId":"n9","text":"Anthropic provides ready-to-use connectors for common services requiring only login.","label":"Prebuilt First-Party Integrations exist","type":"FACT"},{"type":"FACT","label":"Remote MCP Servers are available","parentId":"n9","text":"Third-party developers can host servers in the cloud for Claude to connect to over HTTPS.","children":[],"id":"n12"},{"type":"FACT","label":"MCP Apps render UI in chat thread","parentId":"n9","text":"These are MCP servers that display interactive elements like booking flows or charts within the chat.","id":"n13","children":[]},{"id":"n14","children":[],"parentId":"n9","text":"These packages bundle an MCP server with dependencies for enterprise or local use.","label":"MCP Bundles are desktop extensions","type":"FACT"},{"parentId":"n9","text":"A local MCP server can be distributed via a Plugin using .mcp.json and submitted to the directory.","children":[],"id":"n15","type":"FACT","label":"Local MCP uses Plugins for distribution"}],"id":"n9"},{"id":"n16","children":[{"type":"CMPR","label":"Feature availability across Claude platforms","parentId":"n16","text":"The table details which features are available on each Claude platform.","children":[],"table":{"rows":[{"label":"Claude.ai (web)","cells":["Yes","Yes","No"]},{"cells":["Yes","Yes","Yes"],"label":"Claude Desktop"},{"label":"Claude Mobile","cells":["Yes","Beta","No"]},{"cells":["Yes","No","Via plugins"],"label":"Claude Code"},{"cells":["Yes","Yes","Via plugins"],"label":"Claude Cowork"}],"cols":["Platform","Remote MCP","MCP Apps","Local Extensions"]},"id":"n17"}],"parentId":"n11","text":"The availability of features varies across different Claude platforms.","label":"Platform compatibility matrix shown","type":"SECT"},{"label":"Discovery and usage of Connectors","type":"SECT","children":[{"parentId":"n18","text":"Claude surfaces the appropriate connector automatically based on the user's request.","id":"n19","children":[],"type":"FACT","label":"Dynamic surfacing of connectors occurs"},{"label":"Multiple options are presented to user","type":"FACT","children":[],"id":"n20","parentId":"n18","text":"If multiple connectors apply, Claude displays all of them for the user to select from."}],"id":"n18","parentId":"n11","text":"Claude dynamically surfaces the correct connector based on user activity."},{"id":"n21","children":[{"label":"User data is not used for model training","type":"FACT","children":[],"id":"n22","parentId":"n21","text":"Data from connected apps is explicitly not used to train Claude's models."},{"parentId":"n21","text":"A connected app cannot view the user's other conversations with Claude.","children":[],"id":"n23","type":"FACT","label":"Conversation isolation is maintained"},{"parentId":"n21","text":"Claude confirms with the user before booking or purchasing on their behalf.","id":"n24","children":[],"type":"FACT","label":"Confirmation required for actions taken"}],"parentId":"n11","text":"Strict protocols govern how user data is handled when using Connectors.","label":"Privacy and data boundary assurances","type":"SECT"},{"parentId":"n11","text":"Users can build connectors for internal tools or services they wish Claude to access.","id":"n25","children":[{"parentId":"n25","text":"The server must be a standard HTTPS service implementing the MCP protocol and exposing tools.","children":[{"children":[],"id":"n27","parentId":"n26","text":"Each exposed tool needs a name, description, and an input schema.","label":"Tool definition requires schema and description","type":"FACT"}],"id":"n26","type":"FACT","label":"Step 1: Build an MCP Server"},{"label":"Step 2: Connect in Claude Desktop","type":"FACT","id":"n28","children":[{"type":"FACT","label":"Local connection uses command arguments","parentId":"n28","text":"The claude_desktop_config.json file specifies the command and arguments for a local server.","children":[],"id":"n29"},{"label":"Remote connection uses a URL endpoint","type":"FACT","id":"n30","children":[],"parentId":"n28","text":"For remote servers, the configuration requires only the server's URL."}],"parentId":"n25","text":"Configuration files allow connecting either a local or remote MCP server."},{"type":"FACT","label":"Step 3 Optional: Add UI with MCP Apps","parentId":"n25","text":"The server can return HTML-based components for inline rendering within the conversation.","id":"n31","children":[]},{"id":"n32","children":[],"parentId":"n25","text":"Submissions are reviewed by Anthropic for inclusion in the Connectors Directory.","label":"Step 4 Optional: Submit to Directory","type":"FACT"}],"type":"SECT","label":"Guide to building a custom connector"}],"text":"Connectors allow Claude to integrate with external tools like Google Drive, Gmail, and GitHub."},"slug":"claude-connectors-explained-how-to-give-256134","sharedAt":{"_seconds":1780222632,"_nanoseconds":438000000},"title":"Claude Connectors Explained: How to Give Claude Access to Your Tools"}