AI & automation

Connect Backbone to ChatGPT

You switch on developer mode in ChatGPT, add Backbone's MCP address as your own app, sign in to Backbone and approve on the consent screen. After that you tell ChatGPT what you need: log time, draft an invoice, ask who still owes you. No code, no token.

Connect Backbone to ChatGPT
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  1. What can you do with Backbone in ChatGPT?
  2. What do you need before you start?
  3. How do you connect Backbone to ChatGPT?
    1. 1. Copy the MCP address in Backbone
    2. 2. Add it in ChatGPT
    3. 3. Sign in to Backbone and approve
    4. 4. Your first request
  4. What can ChatGPT see and do?
  5. What if something doesn't work?
  6. How Backbone does it
  7. Frequently asked questions

You switch on developer mode in ChatGPT, add Backbone's MCP address as your own app, sign in to Backbone and approve on the consent screen. After that you tell ChatGPT what you need: log time, draft an invoice, ask who still owes you. No code, no token.

What can you do with Backbone in ChatGPT?

Type it the way you'd say it:

  • "Log 2 hours yesterday on Muster GmbH, project website relaunch." ChatGPT creates the time entry. In Backbone you see it marked "Logged via MCP".
  • "Draft September's invoice for Muster GmbH from my hours." You get a draft, for example 12 hours at €95 = €1,140.00 net. Nothing is sent without your OK.
  • "Who still owes me money?" You get the open invoices, oldest first.

What do you need before you start?

  • A ChatGPT account with developer mode. OpenAI lists Pro, Plus, Business, Enterprise and Education, on the web. On Business, Enterprise and Education, your ChatGPT admin settings can restrict it. Which actions (read-only or also write) each plan allows may differ. Check that in the OpenAI help article (help.openai.com).
  • A Backbone workspace that allows AI connections. The workspace owner can switch this off in Settings › Integrations. It is on by default.
  • Any Backbone plan (Solo, Growth, Agency) can use the connector.

How do you connect Backbone to ChatGPT?

1. Copy the MCP address in Backbone

Open Settings › Integrations in Backbone. Under "Connect an app", the row "Custom connector" shows the address. Copy it with "Copy server address".

2. Add it in ChatGPT

Switch on developer mode in ChatGPT's settings. Then create a new app: a name such as "Backbone", paste the address, and choose OAuth for sign-in. OpenAI moves these switches around often. If in doubt, OpenAI's help has the current path.

3. Sign in to Backbone and approve

ChatGPT opens Backbone's sign-in. You sign in as usual. Then you see the consent screen:

  1. Tick the workspaces ChatGPT may access at the top.
  2. Read what ChatGPT can and cannot do.
  3. Click "Allow".

If a workspace has AI connections off, the screen says "AI connections off" and you cannot pick it.

4. Your first request

Start a new chat, select the Backbone app and ask, for example: "Who still owes me money?"

What can ChatGPT see and do?

The consent screen shows it up front:

  • ChatGPT can: read and change clients, projects and time entries. Draft invoices and quotes, and read documents and reports.
  • ChatGPT asks you first before it sends or deletes anything. Bank details cannot be changed through AI; that only works in the app. OpenAI also says ChatGPT asks for confirmation on write actions by default. Check the input before you confirm.
  • ChatGPT cannot: change password, billing or ownership, delete the workspace, connect bank accounts or change bank details. Those stay in the app.

ChatGPT works with your role. What you cannot see in Backbone, ChatGPT cannot see either.

Revoke access: Settings › Integrations › "Connected apps" › "Revoke". Access ends right away. You can connect the app again later.

Good to know: OpenAI warns about injected instructions and untrustworthy connectors in developer mode. Connect only servers you trust.

What if something doesn't work?

  • The workspace cannot be picked ("AI connections off"). The owner has to switch on "Allow AI connections" in Settings › Integrations.
  • The option to add an app is missing in ChatGPT. Developer mode is off, your plan does not support it, or your ChatGPT admin settings do not allow it.
  • Sign-in breaks off. Check that you are signed in to the right Backbone account ("Signed in as …"). Remove the app and create it again.
  • ChatGPT asks before every action. By design. You can let it remember decisions within one conversation; in a new conversation it asks again. Sending and deleting always need your confirmation.
  • It stops working. Requests through MCP count toward your plan's limits, like in the app.

Why this one matters to us

My goal is to optimise and automate back-office tasks so that we founders can focus on what matters most.

Automating back-office work with AI agents and AI integrations is the future – that's why I built Backbone!

LucaLucaFounder, Backbone

How Backbone does it

Your back office in the chat. In the app, or in a chat with ChatGPT, Claude and many more.

  1. Track your time

    One sentence in the chat. The hours are in your week.

    In the chat

    Log 3:15 hours for Kinetik Studio, website relaunch: homepage wireframes, round two.

    Backbone connectorlog_time

    Logged.

    • Sun 27/09/2026 · Kinetik Studio · Website relaunch · 3:15 h
    • Homepage wireframes, round two
    In the app

  2. Bill your hours

    What you tracked goes on the invoice.

    In the chat

    Which hours are still open for Kinetik Studio?

    Backbone connectorlist_unbilled_time
    • 21–27/09/2026 · Design system · 8.00 h
    • 21–27/09/2026 · Website relaunch · 4.50 h

    Create a draft invoice and add those hours.

    Backbone connectorcreate_document
    Backbone connectoradd_time_to_document

    Here's the draft.

    • Draft · Kinetik Studio · €1,425.00
    • 12.5 h at €95.00 · plus 20% VAT
    In the app

  3. Who's overdue?

    One question, every open invoice.

    In the chat

    Which invoices are overdue?

    Backbone connectorlist_dunning
    Overdue
    3
    Nordlicht GmbH
    RE-2026-0118 · 21 days
    €4,280.00
    Kinetik Studio
    RE-2026-0124 · 9 days
    €1,190.00
    Fernweh Reisen
    RE-2026-0131 · 4 days
    €942.50
    Total€6,412.50

    Nordlicht has been open the longest.

    In the app

  4. Permissions per person

    Everyone gets what they need. Their AI gets no more.

    In the chat

    Lena should see invoices and mark them paid. Not write or send them.

    Backbone connectorset_member_permissions
    Permissions · Lena
    Adds
    See invoices, quotes and dunning
    Adds
    Mark invoices paid
    Expires in 28 min28 min

    Saved. Lena still can't write or send invoices.

    In the app

  5. Review, then approve

    The AI drafts. You check it and issue it.

    In the chat

    Write a draft invoice for Alpenblick: UX review, 12 hours at €110. List every assumption.

    Backbone connectorcreate_document

    Here's the draft.

    • Assumed: 20% VAT
    • Assumed: payment due in 14 days
    Open
    Invoice
    Alpenblick GmbH
    €1,584.00
    RE-2026-0142 · Issued 18/10/2026

    Looks good, issue it.

    Backbone connectorissue_document

    Issued as RE-2026-0142.

    In the app

Frequently asked questions

Does the connector cost extra?

No. It is part of every Backbone plan. Requests through MCP count toward your plan's limits. What ChatGPT costs depends on your contract with OpenAI.

Is there a public API or tokens?

Not yet. The connector uses sign-in (OAuth). A public API for your own scripts is Coming soon.

Can ChatGPT just send invoices?

No. It asks you first before sending.

What about Claude?

That works too: Connect Backbone to Claude. The background: What is MCP?.

Use Backbone from ChatGPT

Log time, draft invoices, check open items. 7-day trial, card required.

Try for 7 days

General information, not legal or tax advice and no review of your case. Details on providers and laws can change. For your case, follow your tax adviser.

Sources: OpenAI help on developer mode and MCP apps (help.openai.com) · OpenAI developer docs on developer mode (developers.openai.com)

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