MCP setup

How MCP connections work

Each claude mcp add command registers a data source in your Claude workspace. When an agent runs, it can read from registered sources. Your agents can only read from their registered sources - they cannot access anything you have not explicitly connected.

MCP connections are stored in your local Claude configuration at~/.claude/mcp.json. They persist across agent runs.

Shopify

Used by: Analyst, Support, Bookkeeper

Create a private app in your Shopify admin with read access to orders, products, and payouts. Copy the Admin API access token.

claude mcp add shopify-admin --key YOUR_SHOPIFY_ADMIN_API_TOKEN

To create the token: Shopify Admin → Settings → Apps and sales channels → Develop apps → Create an app → Configure Admin API scopes → selectread_orders,read_products,read_finances → Install app → copy the token.

The token is shown once. Store it in a password manager before closing the screen.

Gmail

Used by: Support

The Support agent reads your inbox. It cannot send email; it only produces draft replies. Setup uses a Google service account with delegated access.

1. Go to Google Cloud Console → create a project (or use an existing one).
2. Enable the Gmail API for the project.
3. Create a service account: IAM & Admin → Service Accounts → Create → download the JSON key file.
4. Delegate domain-wide access: Google Workspace Admin → Security → API controls → Domain-wide delegation → Add the service account client ID with scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/gmail.readonly.

claude mcp add gmail --service-account /path/to/credentials.json --email you@yourdomain.com

Replace you@yourdomain.com with the Gmail address the Support agent should monitor.

QuickBooks

Used by: Bookkeeper

The Bookkeeper reads transaction records and payout logs. It cannot write to QuickBooks; it proposes journal entry drafts for your approval.

1. Go to developer.intuit.com → sign in → create an app.
2. Under Keys & credentials, copy the Client ID and Client Secret.
3. Set the redirect URI to http://localhost:8085/callback.

claude mcp add quickbooks \
  --client-id YOUR_CLIENT_ID \
  --client-secret YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET \
  --realm-id YOUR_REALM_ID

Your realm ID is the company ID shown in the QuickBooks URL when you are logged in, typically a 10-digit number after ?cid=.

CMS (WordPress or similar)

Used by: Marketer

The Marketer writes to your CMS as a draft. It never publishes directly. For WordPress, create an application password under your user profile.

claude mcp add wordpress --url https://yourblog.com --user your_username --app-password YOUR_APP_PASSWORD

Application passwords are at: WordPress Admin → Users → Your profile → Application passwords → Add new.

Verifying your connections

Run claude mcp list to see all registered sources. Each source should show a status of connected.

In the portal, the activation checklist shows step 2 (MCPs connected) green for each agent once its sources are live. The Operator checks connection health every 2 hours and escalates any degraded connections.

Reconnecting a source

If a connection drops, run the same claude mcp add command again with fresh credentials. See the troubleshooting guides for step-by-step reconnect flows for each source.