Zapier MCP is a remote MCP server run by Zapier (the automation service that links 9,000+ apps). It connects Claude to thousands of apps — Gmail, Slack, Google Sheets, Salesforce and more — in one place. The key idea: you pick exactly which actions to expose, build your own MCP server, and add its URL to Claude as a custom connector. No terminal, no config files — about five minutes. Here is how to set it up.
🟢 Model references match the current lineup · model notice · Fable subscription
Fable 5 and 5.1 subscription (updated September 7, 2026): Claude Fable 5.1, released September 1, 2026, is the current Fable model and Fable 5 is now legacy. Plan terms are the same for both — Max and Team Premium plans include Fable at up to 50% of the weekly usage limit; Pro and Team Standard use usage credits (
What Zapier MCP is
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the standard that links external apps and data to AI tools like Claude. A typical connector turns on a single app (say, Asana), but Zapier MCP bundles the actions of thousands of apps Zapier already connects to behind one server and exposes them to Claude. Per Zapier, that covers 9,000+ apps and 30,000+ actions (what you can actually use depends on your Zapier plan and connected accounts).
What you need
A Zapier account and a Claude account. To add a custom connector (remote MCP server) in Claude you must be the owner of your Claude organization, and availability depends on your Claude plan. On the Zapier side it works from the Free plan up, and MCP usage draws on your existing Zapier task quota.
How to connect — 4 steps
1. Create an MCP server in Zapier
Go to mcp.zapier.com, click + New MCP Server, choose Claude as the client, name the server, and click Create MCP Server. A unique server URL (endpoint) is created for you.
2. Choose which tools (actions) to expose
On the server's Configure tab, click + Add tool, search for and select the app you want, then pick an action. Claude can only use the actions you add here, so keep it narrow — add only what you need (read-only actions first).
3. Add it to Claude as a custom connector
The server's Connect tab shows Claude-specific instructions and your server URL. In Claude (web/desktop), go to Settings → Connectors and use Add custom connector to enter that URL. ⚠️ The server URL is like a password — anyone with it can run your tools and reach your data, so never share it. For the general custom-connector flow, see how to connect MCP (4 ways).
4. Try it
Ask things like "summarize this email into our Slack #sales channel" or "add a row to this Google Sheet from these meeting notes." Claude asks for tool-use approval, then runs the action in that app through Zapier. Every run is logged in Zapier's History, so you can see what ran and when.
Use it safely
Because one server can reach many apps, permission hygiene matters. Keep the exposed actions minimal (read-only first) and keep the server URL secret. See MCP connector security for the criteria, and the troubleshooting guide if a connection fails.
Looking for more connectors? Browse the connector directory to search and filter common connectors by use case.
Related
If you only need one app, a single connector like the Asana connector may be simpler. For the full map of connectors and servers, see the connectors & MCP catalog; to build your own server in code, see build an MCP server. Official sources: Zapier MCP and Use Zapier MCP with your client.