Claude.ai¶

Claude.ai connects through a custom connector that signs in with OAuth, so the server needs MCP_BASE_URL and MCP_OAUTH_SECRET set and an HTTPS public URL. A connector you add on the web is also available in the Claude desktop and mobile apps.

Log in to claude.ai first

Make sure you are already logged in to claude.ai before adding the connector. If claude.ai asks you to log in partway through, it can drop the finished OAuth login, and the connector stays unauthenticated with no tools. Remove that connector and add it again; the second attempt goes straight through.

In a new chat, open the + menu below the message box and choose Connectors → Add connector → Add custom connector. Settings → Connectors has the same button.
Enter a name (for example Paperless, shown in the connectors list) and the URL https://paperless-mcp.example.com/mcp, then click Continue.
Claude.ai detects the server's OAuth support. Keep the detected choices, Sign in now and Register automatically, and click Add. No request headers are needed.
The paperless-mcp login page opens. Enter your Paperless username and password and click Authorize; you are sent back to claude.ai. If you added the connector in Claude Desktop, your browser first asks Finish connecting a connector?; click Continue connecting.
In a chat, open + → Connectors and switch the connector on to use its tools.
Check that the tools arrived: open the connector under Settings → Connectors. Tool permissions should list them (80 with the default toolsets). If the list is empty, the login didn't finish; see the warning above.

The same list lets you choose per tool whether Claude may always use it, must ask first, or may never use it, for example asking first for the …_destroy and bulk_edit tools.

Removing the connector in claude.ai disconnects it. Your Paperless API token is left as it is, because other clients share it.