Connectors Setup Guide: Plug Claude Into Your Real Tools

What a connector actually is

A connector is a secure bridge between Claude and another app (Google Drive, Gmail, Notion, your file folders, and so on). Once connected, you can ask Claude to use that app directly — “summarize the doc I shared,” “what’s on my plate in Notion” — and it acts on the live data, with your permission, each time.

Before you start

• Know which plan/surface you’re on (web, desktop, or Cowork) — available connectors differ slightly.
• Have your login ready for whatever you’re connecting.
• Decide read-only vs. read-write: start read-only when you can.

Step by step

1. Open connector settings — in Claude, go to Settings → Connectors (or Capabilities).
2. Pick the app you want from the directory and choose Connect.
3. Authorize — you’ll be sent to that app’s login to grant access; approve only the scopes you actually need.
4. Confirm it’s live — back in Claude, the connector shows as connected; test it: “List the files you can see in [folder].”
5. Use it in a task — reference it naturally: “Draft a reply to the latest email from [person],” “Pull the numbers from the Q2 sheet.”

Getting good results

• Be specific about scope: “the Marketing folder,” not “my files.”
• Confirm before destructive actions: ask Claude to show you what it’ll change first.
• One source of truth per task: point it at the right place so it isn’t guessing between three.

Troubleshooting

• Connector won’t authorize: sign out of the other app and reconnect to refresh the token.
• Claude can’t see new files: it reads at task time — just ask again.
• Wrong account: disconnect and reconnect with the correct login.