Connecting AI assistants directly to your CRM unlocks seamless data interactions and automated workflows. By configuring Salesforce as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, you allow Claude AI to securely query data, perform actions, and interact with your Salesforce CRM in real time.

Here is a step-by-step guide to setting up a secure OAuth connection between Salesforce and Claude AI.

Step-by-Step Configuration

1. Create an External Client App in Salesforce 

First, set up an app in Salesforce to handle authentication.

• Go to Settings > Setup and search for External Client Apps.

• Click New External Client App, enter a name, and provide your email address.

• Scroll down to the API section and enableOAuth.

• Enter your Callback URL.

• Under Available OAuth Scopes, select:

  • Perform requests at any time

  • Access Salesforce-hosted MCP servers

• In the Security section, enable PKCE (Proof Key for Code Exchange) and Issue JSON Web Token-based access tokens for named users.

• Click Create.

2. Activate MCP Servers in Salesforce

• Search for MCP Servers under the API Catalog in Setup.

• Open the Subject All option and activate it.

• Copy the generated Server URL.

3. Configure Claude AI Connectors

• Log in to the Claude AI website, navigate to Customize, and open Connectors.

• Click Add > Add Custom Connector and give your connector a name.

• Paste the copied Salesforce Server URL into the Remote MCP Server URL field.

4. Authenticate and Connect

• Go back to your Salesforce External Client App settings.

• Copy the Consumer Key and paste it into Claude’s OAuth Client ID field.

• Copy the Consumer Secret and paste it into Claude’s OAuth Client Secret field.

• Click Add, then click Connect.

• When prompted by Salesforce, click Allow to authorize the connection.

Once authorized, you will see a "Connected to Salesforce" confirmation message. Claude AI is now ready to securely query records and execute CRM actions using the Model Context Protocol.