Claude Connectors & Integrations (2026): The Full Guide
Claude connectors let Claude read and act on data from outside apps — Notion, Asana, Linear, Slack, Gmail, Drive, Jira, and more — from inside a chat. They’re built on the open MCP (Model Context Protocol) standard, and Anthropic’s Connectors Directory ships 50+ ready-to-use ones. They’re powerful for pulling context and doing on-demand work. But there’s one architectural fact that shapes everything: connectors only work inside a conversation you start. There are no event triggers, Gmail is draft-only, and the Microsoft 365 connector is read-only — so Claude responds to you; it doesn’t act on its own.
Here’s what Claude connectors are, the notable ones, the catch in detail, and what to use when you need integrations that fire automatically and actually do things.
What Claude connectors are
A connector links Claude to an external service so it can read from — and in many cases write to — that service during a chat. Under the hood they use MCP, the open standard Anthropic created for connecting models to tools. That openness is the point: any app can expose an MCP server, and Claude can talk to it.
There are a few flavors:
- Directory connectors — 50+ first- and third-party integrations you enable with a click.
- Interactive apps — connectors that render live UIs inside Claude (e.g., Slack, Figma, Canva, Asana), so you can interact with the app visually in the conversation.
- Custom connectors — point Claude at your own MCP server URL. This requires a paid plan.
You manage them in Settings → Connectors in the Claude app or on claude.ai.
The notable connectors
A sampling of what’s in the directory — strong across project management, docs, and design:
- Notion — read and update pages and databases; pull notes and docs into a chat as context.
- Asana — manage tasks and projects, with an interactive app UI.
- Linear — read and create issues, triage your backlog.
- Jira & Confluence (Atlassian) — work with issues and wiki pages.
- Intercom — pull conversations and customer context.
- Slack — read channels and messages; interactive app UI.
- Gmail & Google Drive — read/search mail and files; Gmail can draft (not send).
- Figma & Canva — bring designs into the conversation; interactive UIs.
For most people the wins are obvious: “summarize this Notion database,” “draft a Linear issue from this thread,” “what did the customer say in Intercom?” — all without leaving Claude.
The catch: connectors respond, they don’t act
This is the part that decides whether connectors fit your use case. Three limits define them:
- No triggers — conversation-only. Connectors only work inside a chat you start. There’s no “when a new Linear issue is filed, post a summary to Slack” rule, no “when a customer emails, draft a reply and tag it.” Nothing fires on an event; you have to be in the conversation, prompting, for anything to happen.
- Gmail is draft-only. Claude can write a draft into Gmail but cannot send — Anthropic states it “cannot send emails on your behalf.” See can Claude send emails.
- Microsoft 365 is read-only. The M365 connector can search your Outlook mail, calendar, Teams, SharePoint, and OneDrive, but Anthropic says “all permissions are read-only” — it can’t create, change, or send anything. See Claude for Microsoft 365.
So connectors are excellent for on-demand, you-in-the-loop work: pull context, draft something, make a change while you watch. They are not built for automation — the “set it and forget it, let it run” pattern.
(Worth noting: Claude Cowork’s scheduled tasks add a fixed-clock scheduler, but they run only while your computer is awake with the desktop app open — still not event-driven, always-on automation.)
For integrations that ACT automatically: Carly
When you want integrations that fire on triggers and do the work without you in the chat, you’ve moved past what Claude connectors are for. That’s the design of Carly, an AI executive assistant built to act:
- 200+ integrations across 40+ categories — CRM, email, calendar, project management, accounting, support, messaging, and more. See the full integrations list.
- Fires on events, not just prompts. When an email arrives, a deal moves, or a meeting is requested, Carly acts — no conversation needed.
- It sends and updates, with attachments. Carly drafts and sends email (Gmail and Outlook), labels and folders, manages tasks, updates your CRM, records meetings, and runs RSS briefings.
- Runs 24/7 in the cloud. Your laptop doesn’t need to be awake; each agent even gets its own email address.
- Builds the workflow for you. Tell it “I’d like to set up a system to triage support email and update HubSpot” in plain English — it interviews you, then builds it with you. No prompt engineering.
AI agents start at $35/month, and steps in a workflow that don’t use AI run free and unlimited. Browse pre-built workflows to see what trigger-based automation looks like.
Claude connectors vs Carly integrations
| Claude connectors | Carly integrations | |
|---|---|---|
| Number | 50+ in the directory | 200+ across 40+ categories |
| Built on | MCP (open standard) | Managed integrations |
| Read external data | Yes | Yes |
| Write/act | Some (Gmail draft-only, M365 read-only) | Yes — sends, updates, files |
| Fire on triggers/events | No | Yes |
| Runs without you in a chat | No | Yes |
| Runs while laptop is closed | No | Yes (cloud) |
| Send email with attachments | No | Yes (Gmail + Outlook) |
| Pricing | Pro $20 / Max $100–$200 | AI agents from $35/mo |
Claude connectors make Claude a better research and drafting partner inside a chat. Carly integrations make an assistant that runs your tools for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Claude connectors?
Claude connectors link Claude to outside apps — like Notion, Asana, Linear, Slack, Gmail, and Drive — so it can read and (in some cases) write data during a chat. They’re built on the open MCP standard, and Anthropic’s directory has 50+ of them.
Does Claude have a Notion integration?
Yes. The Notion connector lets Claude read and update Notion pages and databases from inside a conversation — useful for summarizing a database or drafting content into a page. Like all connectors, it only works inside a chat you start; it won’t act on Notion changes automatically.
Can Claude connectors run automatically on a trigger?
No. Connectors only work inside a conversation you start — there are no event triggers. Claude Cowork adds a fixed-clock scheduler, but it runs only while your computer is awake with Claude Desktop open. For event-driven automation, use an agent platform like Carly.
What’s the difference between a Claude connector and a custom MCP connector?
Directory connectors are ready-made integrations you enable with a click. Custom connectors point Claude at your own MCP server URL — which requires a paid plan. Both still only work inside a conversation; neither acts on its own.
Can Claude connectors send email or change my Microsoft 365 data?
No. The Gmail connector drafts only (it can’t send), and the Microsoft 365 connector is read-only (it can search but can’t create, change, or send). See can Claude send emails and Claude for Microsoft 365.
What if I want integrations that actually do the work?
Carly offers 200+ integrations across 40+ categories that fire on triggers and act — sending email with attachments, updating your CRM, managing tasks, and more, 24/7 in the cloud across Gmail and Outlook. AI agents start at $35/month.
More: Claude for Microsoft 365 · Can Claude send emails · Claude + Google Calendar · Claude vs Carly · What are AI agents · How to build AI employees
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