# MCP

The Zero MCP server lets you connect AI assistants — like Claude or ChatGPT — directly to your Zero workspace. Once connected, your AI assistant can search, create, update, and manage your CRM data conversationally.

## What is MCP?

The [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) (MCP) is an open standard that allows AI assistants to connect to external tools and data sources. Zero's MCP server exposes your workspace data as tools that any MCP-compatible AI assistant can use.

## Connection URL

```
https://api.zero.inc/mcp
```

## Authentication

Zero's MCP server uses OAuth for authentication. When your AI assistant first connects to the MCP server, you'll be redirected to a Zero authentication page where you can sign in and select which workspace to connect. After that, authentication is handled automatically — no API keys or manual configuration required.

## Setup

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

#### Add the MCP server to your AI assistant

Any AI assistant that supports MCP can connect to Zero. Some popular options:

| Client        | Documentation                                                                                                            |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Claude        | [Custom connectors](https://support.claude.com/en/articles/11175166-get-started-with-custom-connectors-using-remote-mcp) |
| ChatGPT       | [Apps in ChatGPT](https://help.openai.com/en/articles/11487775-apps-in-chatgpt)                                          |
| {% endstep %} |                                                                                                                          |

{% step %}

#### Authorize your workspace

When your AI assistant first connects, you'll be redirected to Zero to sign in. Select the workspace you want to connect, and authorize the connection.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

#### Start using it

Ask your AI assistant to interact with your CRM data. For example:

* "Show me all deals closing this month"
* "Create a new contact for Jane Smith at Acme Corp"
* "Find companies in the technology industry"
* "Add a note to the deal with Stripe"
  {% endstep %}
  {% endstepper %}

## Best practices

For best results, the tools `get_instructions` and `get_workspace_metadata` should always be called first. These provide the data model, available fields, pipeline stages, custom properties, and other workspace-specific context that the agent needs to use the other tools effectively. If you are building a custom skill or routine for an agent, instruct it to call these two tools at the start of every conversation.

## Available tools

Once connected, your AI assistant can search, create, update, and manage your CRM data — including contacts, companies, deals, tasks, notes, emails, calendar events, and lists. The full list of tools and their parameters is provided automatically to your AI assistant when it connects.

The MCP server only provides access to data in the workspace you selected during authorization.

<details>

<summary>Full tool list</summary>

**Search**

* `find_companies` — Search and filter companies
* `find_contacts` — Search and filter contacts
* `find_deals` — Search and filter deals
* `find_tasks` — Search tasks
* `find_notes` — Search notes
* `find_emails` — Search emails
* `find_calendar_events` — Search calendar events

**Activity history**

* `find_company_activities` — Get emails, events, notes, tasks, and deals for a company
* `find_contact_activities` — Get emails, events, notes, and comments for a contact
* `find_deal_activities` — Get notes, comments, tasks, and emails for a deal

**Create**

* `add_company` — Create a new company
* `add_contact` — Create a new contact
* `add_deal` — Create a new deal
* `add_task` — Create a new task
* `add_note` — Create a new note
* `add_list` — Create a new list

**Update**

* `edit_company` — Update a company
* `edit_contact` — Update a contact
* `edit_deal` — Update a deal
* `edit_task` — Update a task
* `edit_note` — Update a note
* `add_column_options` — Add options to select/multiselect custom properties

**List management**

* `add_companies_to_list` / `remove_companies_from_list`
* `add_contacts_to_list` / `remove_contacts_from_list`
* `add_deals_to_list` / `remove_deals_from_list`

**Archive & delete**

* `archive_companies`, `archive_contacts`, `archive_deals`
* `remove_tasks`, `remove_notes`, `remove_lists`

**Metadata**

* `get_instructions` — Get data model overview and usage instructions
* `get_workspace_metadata` — Get users, pipelines, custom properties, and lists

</details>

## Tool permissions

Most MCP clients let you configure access for each tool individually. For every tool, you can choose to:

* **Allow** — the agent can use the tool freely without asking
* **Ask** — the agent must request your permission each time before using the tool
* **Deny** — the agent cannot use the tool at all

This lets you grant read-only access by default (allowing all `find_*` tools) while requiring confirmation for tools that create, update, or delete data. Check your MCP client's settings for how to configure this.

## Need help?

If you have questions or need assistance, please contact our team.