Free guideChecked 14 Oct 2026

What are Claude connectors, and how do you add one?

A Claude connector links Claude to another app or service, like your calendar or your documents, so it can find information there and do things for you. You add one in Customize, then Connectors: pick it from Anthropic’s directory, or paste a link to add your own.

Connectors are how a marketing engineer gives AI the whole brand in one place.

By Mary-Anne Da’Marzo, The Marketing Engineer · 14 October 2026

Show me how →Quick answers
In short
  • Connectors work on every Claude plan, including Free
  • They work on the web, the desktop app and your phone
  • They all use MCP, an open standard for linking AI to other tools
  • Free plans can add one custom connector of your own
  • You choose, chat by chat, which connectors Claude can use
Step by step

How to add a connector.

You need a Claude account and an account with the service you want to connect.

On a Team or Enterprise plan, an Owner adds the connector for everyone first, in Organization settings, then Connectors. You then find it under Customize, then Connectors, and select Connect.

Setting this up for a whole team? Firebelly sets the connector up for you.

  1. 01
    Open Customize, then ConnectorsOn claude.ai or in the Claude desktop app, choose Customize, then Connectors.
  2. 02
    Pick from the directory, or add your ownSelect Discover to browse the directory. Or, if you have a connector’s web address, choose Add custom connector.
  3. 03
    Paste the address (custom connectors only)Enter the connector’s web address (its “remote MCP server URL”, the link the provider gives you), then select Add.
  4. 04
    Sign in to the serviceClaude opens the service’s sign-in page. Check what Claude is asking to see or do, then approve it.
  5. 05
    Turn it on in a chatIn any chat, select the + button, then Connectors, and switch it on for that conversation.
  6. 06
    Ask in normal wordsFor example: “What’s on my calendar tomorrow afternoon?” Claude may ask before it uses the connector. Choose Allow once or Always allow.
Two kinds

Directory connectors vs custom connectors.

Directory

Ready-made, listed by Anthropic

Anthropic’s directory lists connectors from Anthropic and other companies. Each one carries a label. Verified means Anthropic tested its tools. Community means Anthropic screened it, but didn’t review it in depth.

Custom

Any connector, added by its link

If a service isn’t in the directory, you can still add it with its web address. Anthropic hasn’t reviewed a custom connector, so only add ones from people you trust. Claude reaches it over the internet, so it must be online, not just on your own computer.

DirectoryCustom
Who lists itAnthropic’s directoryYou, by pasting its address
Anthropic reviewVerified (tested) or Community (screened)None: you choose who to trust
Where you add itCustomize, then Connectors, then DiscoverCustomize, then Connectors, then Add custom connector
PlansAll plans (Team and Enterprise: an Owner adds it first)Free (one only), Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise
Same technology?Yes, both use MCPYes, both use MCP

Both kinds use the same technology. If you have a connector’s link, you can add it as a custom connector, whether it’s in the directory or not.

For marketers

What can you do with them?

Connectors turn Claude from something you paste into, into something that works where your stuff already lives.

01

Find things fast

Ask Claude to pull what you need from your documents, calendar or project board, without copying and pasting.

02

Act for you

Connectors don’t just read. Depending on the service, Claude can create, change or delete things there for you, with your approval.

03

See it in the chat

Some connectors, marked Interactive in the directory, show live dashboards, task boards and design tools right inside the conversation.

04

Bring your brand along

One custom connector can open a whole suite of software inside Claude, built around your brand, so every answer starts from who you are. That’s how B.R.A.I.N.™ works.

Example screens
Claude
GeneralAccountConnectorsPrivacy
ConnectorsTools your AI can use
Google DriveConnected
ShopifyConnected
Add custom connector
CancelAdd
● B.R.A.I.N.™ connected
build my brain
Let’s go. First, how you see yourself. About 15 minutes. Ready?
Works on desktop and in the Claude app on your phone
Codex
GeneralAccountMCP serversPrivacy
MCP serversTools your AI can use
Google DriveConnected
ShopifyConnected
Add server
CancelSave
● B.R.A.I.N.™ connected
build my brain
Let’s go. First, how you see yourself. About 15 minutes. Ready?
Works in the Codex app and in your terminal

Illustrative screens.

How B.R.A.I.N.™ uses one

One connector. Then just talk.

We’ve done all the building. Once you have access, you add one B.R.A.I.N.™ custom connector to Claude or Codex. Behind it sits a full suite of marketing software, ready to use in whatever way suits your workflow, your business and what you need. Everyone’s set-up is personalised to them.

It works on desktop and on your phone. Opens 1 December 2026.

Join the waitlist →What’s inside a B.R.A.I.N.™
Stay safe

Before you connect anything.

  • Only connect services from companies and people you trust.
  • Read what Claude asks to see or do when you sign in. Say no if it asks for more than it needs.
  • A connector can change or delete things in the service. Keep an eye on what Claude does.
  • Only choose Always allow for services you trust. You can set each tool to Always allow, Needs approval or Blocked.
  • Turn off connectors you’re not using, with the + button, then Connectors, in any chat.
Questions

Quick answers.

Join the waitlist →

What is a Claude connector?

A connector links Claude to an outside app or service, such as your calendar, your documents or your project tracker. Claude can then find information there and take actions for you, using your own access to that service.

What is MCP?

MCP stands for Model Context Protocol. It’s an open standard, a shared set of rules, that lets AI apps like Claude connect to other tools and data. Every Claude connector uses it.

Are Claude connectors free?

You can use connectors on every Claude plan, including Free. On the Free plan you can add one custom connector. The service you connect to may need its own account or paid plan.

How do I add a custom connector to Claude?

Go to Customize, then Connectors, and choose Add custom connector. Paste the connector’s web address, select Add, then sign in if it asks. On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner adds it for everyone first, then each person selects Connect.

Do Claude connectors work on my phone?

Yes. Connectors you set up on claude.ai or the desktop app also show up in the Claude app on iPhone and Android. Adding connectors from the phone app is still in beta.

Are Claude connectors safe?

Only connect services you trust. Custom connectors aren’t checked by Anthropic, and a connector can change or delete data in the service. Review what it asks for when you sign in, only choose Always allow for services you trust, and turn off connectors you’re not using.

How does B.R.A.I.N.™ use a connector?

We’ve done all the building. You add one B.R.A.I.N.™ custom connector to Claude or Codex by pasting a link and signing in with your email. Behind it sits a full suite of marketing software, personalised to you. Then say “build my brain”. It opens on 1 December 2026.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from Anthropic’s own guides, checked on 14 October 2026. Claude changes often, so menu names may move.