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MCP - Approving Claude for Softools MCP

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Mark Dyer
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Overview

Before users can connect Claude to Softools using Model Context Protocol (MCP), an Advanced App Builder must approve Claude as an AI assistant for the Softools workspace.

Softools provides a dedicated Claude connection option, with Claude's published identity and callback details automatically populated. This makes the approval process straightforward without requiring manual OAuth configuration.

Once Claude has been approved, users can connect through Claude, sign in using their own Softools accounts and retrieve information from published MCP-enabled Views.

This article explains how to approve Claude, provide users with the MCP server URL and manage the approved connection.

For instructions on connecting an individual account in Claude, see Connecting Claude to Softools.

 

Contents

 

Before You Begin

To approve Claude, you will need:

  • Advanced App Builder permissions in Softools.
  • A Softools workspace with Apps and Views prepared for MCP access.
  • Confirmation that your organisation permits Claude to access the intended information.

The Apps and Views you want users to query must be enabled and published for MCP.

For guidance, see Preparing Softools Apps and Views for MCP.

 

 

Open MCP Connections

  1. Open Softools App Studio.
  2. Select Configure from the left-hand menu.
  3. Open MCP connections.

The page displays the available AI assistant connection methods and any previously approved assistants.

Under Which AI assistant do you want to connect?, you will see options for:

  • Claude — Uses Claude's published connection details.
  • Copilot Studio — Uses a setup code generated during the Copilot Studio connection process.
  • Manual / another AI assistant — Allows you to enter the connection details for another compatible AI assistant.

Select Claude to continue.

 

 

Approve Claude

After selecting Claude, Softools displays the connection configuration.

The following information is populated automatically:

  • Client name — Claude.
  • Exact published client metadata URL — Claude's published client identity.
  • Exact client callback URLs — The URLs used to return users to Claude after authentication.

You do not need to enter a client secret.

Review the connection details, then select Approve Claude.

Claude will now appear under Approved AI assistants.

This approval allows Claude to request access to the Softools workspace. It does not automatically give Claude access to every App or Record or authorise individual users.

Note: You only need to approve Claude once for the workspace. You do not need to repeat the approval for each MCP-enabled View or individual user.

 

 

Provide the MCP Server URL

Users need the Softools MCP server URL to add Softools as a custom connector in Claude.

The URL is available on the same MCP connections page.

  1. Locate MCP server URL to paste into your AI assistant.
  2. Copy the URL displayed for your Softools workspace.
  3. Provide the URL to the users who will connect Claude.

The URL identifies your Softools workspace and allows Claude to discover its published MCP tools.

Users who do not have access to App Studio can obtain the URL from an App Builder or administrator.

 

 

How Users Authorise Access

Once Claude has been approved, each user can add Softools as a custom connector in Claude.

The user:

  1. Adds a custom connector using the Softools MCP server URL.
  2. Selects Claude's published identity during connection setup.
  3. Signs in using their own Softools account.
  4. Reviews the authorisation request and selects Allow read access.

Each user's existing Softools permissions continue to apply.

The MCP connection is read-only, so it does not provide tools for creating, updating or deleting Softools Records.

For the complete end-user process, see Connecting Claude to Softools.

 

 

Managing and Revoking Access

Advanced App Builders can review approved connections from App Studio > Configure > MCP connections.

Approved connections are listed under Approved AI assistants.

To revoke Claude's approval:

  1. Locate Claude in the list of approved assistants.
  2. Select Revoke access.
  3. Confirm the revocation if prompted.

Revoking an approved assistant also revokes its associated Softools user grants.

Users will no longer be able to retrieve information through the revoked authorisation unless the connection is approved and authorised again.

Revoking access does not necessarily remove information previously retrieved or processed by the external AI assistant.

For more information, see Security Considerations When Connecting AI Assistants to Softools.

 

 

Troubleshooting

I cannot see MCP connections in App Studio

Check that you have the required App Builder permissions.

Approving AI assistants requires Advanced App Builder access.

 

Claude is not available to users

Check that Claude appears under Approved AI assistants and that users have been given the correct Softools MCP server URL.

 

A user cannot complete the connection

Confirm that Claude is approved and that the user is signing in with the correct Softools account.

The user must complete their own authorisation, even after the workspace-level approval has been completed.

 

Claude cannot find an App or View

Check that the relevant View has been enabled and published for MCP.

Also confirm that the user has permission to access the information.

 

A newly published View is not appearing in Claude

The user may need to refresh or reconnect the Softools connector in Claude to discover the updated tools.

 

Claude returns unexpected or incomplete information

Review the Fields, descriptions and filters in the published MCP-enabled Views.

For complete lists of matching Records, use structured Query tools with pagination rather than relying on ranked Data Lens Search results.

 

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