Connect Claude to the Tools You Already Use

Difficulty: Intermediate · Estimated time: 15 min

What You'll Learn

What Connectors are, how they let Claude see and act in your other tools, and how to enable one safely.

Why This Matters

So far, Claude only knows what you type or upload. Most real work lives elsewhere — in Gmail, Google Drive, Notion, Asana, Stripe, Zapier. Connectors let Claude reach into those tools directly, so you're not manually copying data back and forth.

The Concept

The Connectors Directory is a curated collection of tools you can switch on to let Claude see data from, and take actions in, your other apps. Once a connector is enabled, Claude can pull in relevant information from that tool, or carry out actions in it, as part of a chat.

A few key points:

Directory connectors are available to everyone, on web and desktop.

Custom or developer-built connectors (ones outside the curated directory) require a paid plan.

The mobile app currently can't browse or add connectors — though a tool you've already connected elsewhere will still work when you use it from mobile.

Step-by-Step

Open the Connectors Directory in Claude's settings.

Browse the available tools and pick one that's actually relevant to your work.

Before enabling it, read exactly what access it's requesting — which data it can see, and what actions it can take.

Enable only what you're comfortable granting.

Reference the connected tool naturally in chat (for example, "check my Drive for the latest brief") — Claude will use the connector where relevant.

Review enabled connectors periodically and switch off anything you're no longer using.

Example

You keep client briefs in Google Drive and track deliverables in Asana. You enable both connectors, reviewing the requested permissions first. Now you can ask Claude to pull the latest brief from Drive and cross-check it against the open tasks in Asana, in a single chat, without opening either tool yourself.

Try This

Open the Connectors Directory and look at one tool you already use daily. Before switching it on, read exactly what access it's asking for. Only enable it once you're clear on what Claude will be able to see and do.

Copy This

BEFORE ENABLING A CONNECTOR, CHECK:
- What data can it read? [LIST WHAT YOU SAW IN THE PERMISSIONS]
- What actions can it take? [READ-ONLY, OR CAN IT CREATE/EDIT/SEND?]
- Is this the minimum access needed for what I actually want Claude to do?

IF YES TO ALL — ENABLE AND TEST WITH:
"[A LOW-RISK, READ-ONLY REQUEST TO TRY IT OUT]"

Common Mistakes

Enabling a connector without reading what access it's actually requesting.

Assuming a custom/developer connector will work on a free account.

Expecting to manage connectors from the mobile app.

Leaving unused connectors switched on indefinitely.

Level-Up Tip

Combine Connectors with a Project (Guide 11): a Project scoped to a client, with the relevant connector enabled, means Claude has both the static background and live access to current data in one place.

Action Checklist

○Open the Connectors Directory and see what's available

○Read the requested permissions for one tool before enabling it

○Enable one genuinely useful connector

○Try one read-only request through it

○Review and remove any connector you're not using

Next Guide

15 — Claude Cowork: An AI That Works Alongside You

Learn More

Use the Connectors Directory to extend Claude's capabilities

Premium Content

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What you will learn