Claude Desktop connects to Xero through the CData MCP Server for Xero using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

When you launch Claude, it automatically detects MCP connections registered during setup. These connections are created and saved using the MCP Configuration Tool, which is installed with the MCP Server.

Each saved connection is recognized by Claude and can be referenced by name when asking questions.

Installing Claude

Claude Desktop is a standalone application that enables natural language querying across supported data sources using the Model Context Protocol (MCP).

To connect to Xero via MCP, you first need to install the Claude Desktop application.

You can download the latest version from the official Claude Download Page.

After installing Claude Desktop, you can configure your MCP connection using the CData MCP Driver for Xero.

How Claude Uses the Server

When you ask Claude a question, it launches the corresponding MCP Server connection, reads the available tool descriptions provided by the connector, and generates a secure query in the background.

There is no need to write SQL or teach Claude how to query your data. Each tool is self-describing, and Claude consumes those descriptions to determine how to retrieve the right information.

Example Prompts

After setup, you can ask Claude natural-language questions like:

• "Which accounts had the highest number of transactions this quarter?"
• "Which customers have the most overdue invoices?"
• "Give me a history of bank transfers made in the past fiscal year."
• "List all current employees along with their job titles."
• "Get the bank account details for all active employees."
• "How do actual expenses compare to budgeted amounts for Q2?"
• "Show a list of active fixed assets by purchase date."
• "Which assets are associated with each Xero tenant?"
• "Who are the users with access to my Xero organization and their roles?"
• "Show timesheets submitted last week grouped by employee."

Claude securely executes the query using the MCP Server and responds using the live results from Xero.