MAIK · Module

Connect Claude to your tools.

A connector lets Claude reach your calendar, your mail, your files. In this tutorial you'll switch one on and ask Claude a real question that uses it — like "Am I free Thursday?". About five minutes.

Claude · the blue plug is the connector (MCP) · your calendar, mail & files

Recipe vs. supplier

Remember the kitchen: a skill is the recipe — how to make something. A connector is the supplier — it brings ingredients from outside. On its own, Claude only has what's already in the kitchen: the files you opened. A connector opens a door to your calendar, your mail, a database.

IN ONE LINE

A skill is how to cook. A connector is where the ingredients come from. MCP is just the technical name for that supplier line.

Where they live: the /mcp screen

Inside Claude Code, type /mcp. You get a panel with all your connectors and whether each one is working.

Claude Code · /mcp

/mcp

✓ connected     Google Calendar   · 6 tools
✓ connected     Gmail             · read & draft
! needs sign-in   Slack             · select to connect

✓ connected — ready to use.
! needs sign-in — select it and log in once.

Do it with me

Switch on a connector

On claude.ai, go to Settings → Connectors. Click Connect next to Google Calendar (or Gmail). A Google sign-in opens in your browser — log in and click Allow. You'll see it flip to Connected. No code to remember.

Check it in the terminal

Back in Claude Code, type /mcp. You'll see your connector in the list marked ✔ connected. That screen is your dashboard — it's where you check and fix connectors.

Ask something real

Now just ask, e.g. Am I free Thursday afternoon? You'll see Claude read your calendar and answer — the recipe was yours, the ingredients came from your own tools.

Your turn

Connect one service and ask it one real question about your own stuff.

COPY & FILL IN

Check my calendar for [day] and, if I'm free, draft a reply to [name] proposing [time].

Only connect what it needs. Give access like a key — you can disconnect any time.
Start with Calendar or Gmail. One click, no terminal.
If it stops working, re-sign-in. Open /mcp, pick it, sign in again.

Or via the terminal

Prefer the terminal, or need a service that isn't in the list? You add it by pasting its web address — like copying a link.

Terminal

# paste the connector's address after the name
claude mcp add --transport http gmail https://…/mcp

Then type /mcp, pick the server and click Authenticate — the same Google sign-in opens.

If a service ever shows you a code, you copy it and paste it back in the terminal — but most, like Gmail, just use the browser sign-in.

Gmail or Apple Mail?

A common question — and the kitchen answers it.

IN THE CLOUD

Gmail

Lives on Google's servers, outside your Mac. Claude needs the supplier door — a connector — and a one-time Google sign-in.

Cloud = needs the connector.

ON YOUR MAC

Apple Mail

Lives right on your MacBook. Claude runs on the same machine, so it can reach it directly — no cloud connector, no sign-in. You just grant permission the first time.

Local = already in the kitchen.

THE RULE OF THUMB

Outside your Mac (Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack)? → a connector. Already on your Mac (Apple Mail, your Finder files)? → it's in the kitchen already; just say yes to the permission pop-up.

Good to know

Connectors need a paid plan. Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise on claude.ai — not the free tier.
A sign-in can expire. If a connector stops working, open /mcp, pick it, and sign in again.
Give access like a key. Only connect what Claude really needs — you can disconnect any time.
/mcp is your dashboard. Green means connected; it's where you check and fix your connectors.

THIS WEEK · YOU'RE DONE WHEN

You've switched on one connector and asked Claude something that used it — a calendar or inbox question answered from your own data.

MAIK · Claude Code for entrepreneursModule — Connectors (MCP)