# Connect Backbone to Claude > You copy the MCP address in Backbone, add it in Claude as a custom connector, sign in to Backbone and approve on the consent screen. After that you just tell Claude what you need: log time, draft an invoice, ask who still owes you. It takes four steps, no code and no token. Source: https://back-bone.io/en/blog/backbone-claude-verbinden Published: 2026-10-21 · Updated: 2026-10-22 Category: Guides You copy the MCP address in Backbone, add it in Claude as a custom connector, sign in to Backbone and approve on the consent screen. After that you just tell Claude what you need: log time, draft an invoice, ask who still owes you. It takes four steps, no code and no token. **TL;DR · Key facts** - **Steps:** copy the address in Backbone, add it in Claude, sign in and approve, send your first request. - **No code, no token.** Sign-in runs through Backbone (OAuth). - **Claude works with your role.** Sending and deleting always need your confirmation. Bank details change only in the app. - **Revoke access** at any time in Settings › Integrations. ## What can you do with Backbone in Claude? Type it the way you'd say it: - **"Log 2 hours yesterday on Muster GmbH, project website relaunch."** Claude 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. The draft waits for you. Nothing is sent without your OK. - **"Who still owes me money?"** Claude lists the open invoices, oldest first, with amount and due date. Claude reaches almost everything the app can do: time, invoices, dunning, receipts, your wiki and your numbers. ## What do you need before you start? - **A Claude account** that allows custom connectors. Anthropic lists Free (one custom connector), Pro, Max, Team and Enterprise. Source: Anthropic help on custom connectors (support.claude.com). This can change, so check there if in doubt. - **On Team and Enterprise:** an owner in Claude has to add the connector for the organization first. Members then switch it on one by one. - **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 Claude? ### 1. Copy the MCP address in Backbone Open Settings › Integrations in Backbone. Under "Connect an app", the row "Custom connector" shows the address. Use "Copy server address" to put it on your clipboard. ### 2. Add it in Claude as a connector In Claude, go to Customize > Connectors and choose "Add custom connector". Enter a name (for example "Backbone") and paste the address. On Team and Enterprise, the owner does this first under Organization settings > Connectors. ### 3. Sign in to Backbone and approve Claude opens Backbone's sign-in. You sign in as usual; there is no token to copy. Then you see the consent screen: 1. Tick the **workspaces** Claude may access at the top. 2. Read what Claude can and cannot do (more below). 3. Click "Allow". If AI connections are off for a workspace, the screen says "AI connections off" and you cannot pick it. ### 4. Your first request Start a new chat, switch the connector on and type, for example: "Who still owes me money?" Claude may ask whether it can use the Backbone tool. Confirm. ## What can Claude see and do? The consent screen tells you up front: - **Claude can:** read and change clients, projects and time entries. Draft invoices and quotes, and read documents and reports. - **Claude asks you first** before it sends or deletes anything. Bank details cannot be changed through AI; that only works in the app. - **Claude cannot:** change your password, billing or workspace ownership, delete the workspace, connect bank accounts or change bank details. Those stay in the app. Claude works **with your role**. If a team member cannot see something in Backbone, Claude cannot see it for that person either. **Revoke access:** Settings › Integrations › "Connected apps" › "Revoke". Claude loses access right away. You can connect it again later. The workspace owner can also switch AI connections off entirely there. **Good to know:** Anthropic advises connecting Claude only to servers you trust. The Backbone address comes straight from your own settings. ## Does it work with Claude Code? If you work with Claude Code in the terminal, there is a command to copy. You find it in Settings › Integrations, row "Claude Code": ``` claude mcp add --transport http backbone https://back-bone.io/api/mcp ``` The `--transport http` flag is required because Backbone is a remote server. Sign-in does not start by itself: in Claude Code, type `/mcp`, pick "backbone" and complete the login in your browser. You approve there in the same way as above. ## 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 connector does not show up in Claude.** On Team and Enterprise, an owner probably has not added it yet. On Free, only one custom connector is allowed. - **Claude finds no data.** Check on the consent screen that you chose the right workspaces and account ("Signed in as …"). You add missing workspaces in Settings › Integrations › Workspaces. - **Claude asks before every action.** By design: sending and deleting always need your confirmation. - **It stops working.** Requests through MCP count toward your plan's limits, like in the app, for example for invoices and receipts. > 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! ## 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. 2. **Bill your hours** What you tracked goes on the invoice. 3. **Who's overdue?** One question, every open invoice. 4. **Receipts matched automatically** Upload the statement. Clear matches assign themselves. 5. **Permissions per person** Everyone gets what they need. Their AI gets no more. 6. **Review, then approve** The AI drafts. You check it and issue it. ## 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 Claude or your AI provider costs depends on your contract there. ### Is there a public API or tokens for my own scripts? Not yet. The connector uses sign-in (OAuth). A public API for your own scripts is Coming soon. ### Can Claude just send invoices? Claude asks you first before sending. Nothing goes out without your OK. ### What about ChatGPT? It works there too. The guide: [Connect Backbone to ChatGPT](https://back-bone.io/en/blog/backbone-chatgpt-verbinden). What is behind all this is explained in [What is MCP?](https://back-bone.io/en/blog/was-ist-mcp). **Use Backbone from Claude** Log time, draft invoices, check open items. 7-day trial, card required. - [Try for 7 days](https://back-bone.io/en/sign-up) --- 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. Checked on 22/10/2026 Sources: Anthropic help on custom connectors (support.claude.com) · Claude Code docs on MCP (code.claude.com)