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What makes this possible is Salesforce Integration Services, powered by the Model Context Protocol (MCP), which connects Claude and Salesforce CRM through a common communication layer. In this guide, we’ll learn how Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers work, what you need before getting started, and how to complete a Claude Salesforce integration step by step.
What Is Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers
MCP stands for Model Context Protocol, which is a framework and protocol for facilitating communications between AI-based applications and other external systems/data sources. When used alongside Salesforce servers, it enables MCP-connected external applications to access Salesforce platform capabilities, data, and business logic through generative AI services.
In contrast to a self-hosted MCP environment, there is no need for the organization to host, deploy, and manage its own MCP servers. Salesforce offers managed MCP servers that expose selected Salesforce capabilities through standardized MCP endpoints.
This allows Claude to interact with Salesforce using available tools for:
- Record Management: Get, make, keep, and remove Salesforce data
- Data access: Collect info through query tools already available.
- Business logic: Execute supported Apex actions and Salesforce Flows
- Agentforce MCP: Expose supported Agentforce agents and Prompt Builder templates
- Analytics: Access supported Data 360 and Tableau capabilities.
However, Claude’s access is not restricted. Available operations majorly depend on the activated MCP server, authenticated Salesforce user’s permissions, and OAuth configuration.
How Does the Claude MCP Integration Work?
The integration follows a client-server architecture in which Claude acts as the MCP client, while Salesforce provides the hosted MCP server to support advanced capabilities through Salesforce AI services.
Here is how the communication process generally works like:
- A user submits a natural language request to Claude.
- Claude identifies whether the request requires information or an action from Salesforce.
- Then, it selects an appropriate tool exposed by the connected Salesforce MCP server.
- The MCP server processes the request using the authenticated Salesforce user’s access.
- The CRM returns the requested information or operation results.
- Claude interprets the response and presents the result in a conversational format.
For example, when a support representative asks:
“Find all open support cases associated with Acme Corporation and summarize the three most common customer complaints.”
Claude may utilize the existing Salesforce capabilities to find the corresponding records, evaluate the data returned, and then create a summary.
For instance, if the user asks you to create a follow-up task, Claude can call the relevant tool, assuming the server that it is connected to has that function, and the user has access to it.
Prerequisites for Claude and Salesforce Integration
Before connecting Claude to Salesforce, here is what you must ensure for the perfect integration.
- Salesforce Organization
Consider a Salesforce organization that supports Hosted MCP servers. You can work with a production organization, and sandbox depending on your testing and development requirements.
Salesforce Administrator Access
A Salesforce system administrator or a user with equivalent permissions is necessary to configure the integration, and Salesforce consulting services can help ensure a smooth and effective implementation.
For this, you need access to:
- Salesforce Setup.
- MCP Servers configuration
- External Client App Manager
- OAuth settings and application credentials.
Claude Account
Consider using Claude with custom connector support. Also, you can configure the integration through Claude.ai or the Claude Desktop application. The exact connector options may vary depending on your Claude plan and organizational settings.
External Client App
Salesforce prefers to use an External Client App to register and authenticate the external MCP client. The application offers OAuth credentials that enable Claude to set up an authorized connection with Salesforce.
Note: Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers use External Client Apps for MCP authentication because the existing Connected Apps can’t be used.
Right OAuth Scopes and Access
The external client app must include the necessary OAuth scopes:
mcp_api: Access Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers.
refresh_token, offline_access – gives access to refresh tokens.
The Salesforce user requires authorization to do the action. This includes having correct permissions on the fields, objects, records, and features they wish to access.
How to Integrate Claude with Salesforce Using Hosted MCP Servers?
Now that we understand the prerequisites, let’s walk through the complete integration process.
Step 1: Activate Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers
- Sign into your Salesforce organization using an administrator account.
- Navigate to Setup.
- Move to the Quick Find search box, enter MCP Servers.
- Select MCP Servers under the API Catalog.
- Open the Salesforce Servers tab, if displayed.
- Review the available hosted MCP servers.
- Pick the server you want to use.
- Choose Activate or activate the corresponding server toggle.
- Copy the server’s API name and endpoint URL.
You will use platform/subject– all servers as an example as it provides supported operations for Salesforce objects. Also, select a server based on your integration requirements rather than activating every available server.
Step 2: Create an External Client App in Salesforce
After activating the MCP server, you need to register Claude as an external OAuth Client.
Follow these steps:
2.1 Open External Client App Manager
- Move to Salesforce Setup.
- Search for External Client App Manager and open it.
- Click New External Client App.
2.2 Configure Basic Information
Enter the following application details:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| App Name | Claude MCP Client |
| Contact Email | Your administrator email address |
| API Name | Claude_MCP_Client |
2.3 Enable OAuth Settings
- Expand the API section and enable OAuth.
- Configure the following settings:
Callback URL
For Claude.ai and Claude Desktop, use:
https://claude.ai./api/mcp/auth_callback
For Claude Code, the Salesforce integration guide specifies a different callback URL:
http://localhost:38000/callback
- Do not configure multiple callback URLs unless your case requires them.
- Select OAuth Scopes
- Add the following scopes:
Perform requests at any time (refresh_token, offline_access).
Access Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers (mcp_api).
These scopes allow the client to obtain and maintain authorized access to the hosted MCP server.
2.4 Configure OAuth Security Settings
Under the Security section, configure the following options:
- Uncheck Require Secret for Web Server Flow.
- Uncheck Require Secret for Refresh Token Flow.
- Enable Require Proof Key for Code Exchange (PKCE) Extension for Supported Authorization Flows.
- Enable Issue JSON Web Token (JWT)-Based Access Tokens for Named Users.
2.5 Save the External Client App
- Review the application settings and click Create.
- Once the app is created, retrieve its OAuth credentials
- Access newly created External Client App.
- Go to the Settings tab.
- Expand OAuth Settings
- Open Consumer Key and Secret.
- Complete the required verification process.
- Copy the consumer key
- The key will be used as the OAuth Client ID when configuring Claude.
Step 3: Connect Claude to Salesforce Hosted MCP Servers
Now that the Salesforce MCP Server is active, and the External Client App is configured, you can establish the connection from Claude.
3.1 Open Claude Connectors
- Log in to your Claude account.
- Go to the Customize page on the left sidebar.
- Select Connectors
- Click Add
- Select Add custom connector.
3.2 Add the Salesforce MCP Server
- Enter a descriptive connector name, such as:
Salesforce MCP
- Next, provide the Salesforce Hosted MCP Server URL.
- For production organizations, the URL follows this format:
https://api.salesforce.com/platform/mcp/v1/<SERVER-NAME>
- For sandbox or scratch organizations, use:
https://api.salesforce.com/platform/mcp/v1/sandbox/<SERVER-NAME>
- For example, when trying to establish a connection with the Subject All server in the production environment, the URL would be:
https://api.salesforce.com/platform/mcp/v1/platform/sobject-all
- Use the right endpoint identifier for the server name based on your Salesforce environment.
- Click Continue
3.3 Configure OAuth Authentication
- Claude will ask you to configure the OAuth client.
- Select: Use your own OAuth client
- Enter the following details:
| Field | Configuration |
|---|---|
| OAuth Client ID | Salesforce External Client App Consumer Key |
| OAuth Client Secret | Leave blank when using the Salesforce configuration described above |
- The Consumer Key identifies the External Client App created in the previous step.
- Click Continue to proceed.
3.4 Authenticate with Salesforce
- After configuring the OAuth client, find the Salesforce connector in Claude.
- Click Connect.
- Claude will send you to Salesforce for signing in.
- Login with the Salesforce account you want to connect to the integration.
- Review the requested permissions.
- Approve the authorization request.
- Once authentication is successful, Claude will receive the necessary OAuth authorization to communicate with the Salesforce Hosted MCP Server.
- You should now see the connector listed as connected in Claude.
After that, review and enable the required Salesforce MCP tools in Claude based on your workflow needs. Once you have your integration set up, test it out by asking Claude to pull data from Salesforce, analyze customer cases, and perform authorized actions.
Conclusion
Salesforce Claude integration using Hosted MCP Servers, combined with a well-defined Salesforce AI implementation strategy, allows businesses to streamline workflows, enhance customer service, and automate authorized actions. By taking a few simple security controls and configurations, you can also maximize the value of your Salesforce ecosystem. Thinking of onboarding your Salesforce and AI journey? Connect with Girikon for expert Salesforce implementation, consulting, integration, services.
About Author
Shivani is a Technical Content Specialist at Girikon with deep expertise in turning intricate technologies into engaging narratives. Her renowned experience and keen interest in technologies allows her to draft compelling and digestable insights for tech-savvy leaders. She helps businesses navigate the labyrinth of innovation, leveraging her proficient skills and visionary attitude.
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