> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://smartbooks.gitbook.io/smartbooks-docs/mcp-server/connect-smartbooks-to-claude.md).

# Connect Smartbooks to Claude

With the Smartbooks MCP server, you can use Claude to ask questions about your financial data in plain language: analyse results, compare against budget, investigate variances, or review outstanding items. Claude reads your data directly from Smartbooks, using your own login and access rights.

{% hint style="success" %}
For Claude, no API client is needed. You add Smartbooks as a custom connector and sign in with your normal Smartbooks account.
{% endhint %}

### Before you start

* You need a Smartbooks account with access to at least one company.
* You need a Claude plan that supports custom connectors.
* On a Claude Team or Enterprise plan, custom connectors may need to be added by an owner or admin of your Claude organization. Once added, each user connects with their own Smartbooks login.

### Step 1: Add the connector

1. In Claude, go to **Settings → Connectors**.
2. Click **Add custom connector**.
3. Fill in the following fields:

| Field                 | Value                           |
| --------------------- | ------------------------------- |
| Name                  | `Smartbooks`                    |
| Remote MCP server URL | `https://mcp.smartbooks.ai/mcp` |

4. Click **Continue**.

### Step 2: Choose the authentication settings

Claude detects the correct settings automatically. Check that the following options are selected:

| Section        | Option                              |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------- |
| Authentication | **Sign in now**                     |
| OAuth client   | **Use Claude's published identity** |

{% hint style="warning" %}
Make sure **Use Claude's published identity** is selected under OAuth client. The other options (Register automatically, Use your own OAuth client) are not needed for Claude and will not work without additional setup.
{% endhint %}

Click **Add** to save the connector.

### Step 3: Sign in to Smartbooks

1. Click **Connect** next to the Smartbooks connector.
2. A Smartbooks login window opens. Sign in with your normal Smartbooks credentials.
3. After signing in, you return to Claude and the connector shows as connected.

### Step 4: Use Smartbooks in a chat

1. Start a new chat.
2. Open the tools menu in the message box and make sure **Smartbooks** is enabled.
3. Ask a question, for example:
   * *"Show me the P\&L of \[company] for September compared to budget."*
   * *"Which customers have overdue receivables at \[company]?"*
   * *"Explain the biggest variance in operating expenses this quarter."*

Claude will ask for permission the first time it uses a Smartbooks tool. You can choose to allow it once or always.

### What Claude can access

Claude only sees data you have access to in Smartbooks. It uses your own login, so your user rights apply to every question. Claude reads data; it does not post journal entries or change your source administration.

### Troubleshooting

**The connector does not connect or keeps asking to sign in** Remove the connector and add it again. Check that **Use Claude's published identity** is selected under OAuth client.

**Claude cannot find a company** Check that your Smartbooks user has access to that company. Claude can only see companies available to your account.

**I want to use Smartbooks in another AI tool** Other tools need a separate API client. See Connect Smartbooks to other AI tools.