Getting started with Nutshell’s MCP server
The Nutshell MCP (Model Context Protocol) server connects your LLM (such as Claude or ChatGPT) to your Nutshell account, allowing it to pull data from Nutshell to answer key questions about your CRM sales data, summarize information, or assist with tasks, streamlining workflows and increasing productivity.
For example, prompts like "Which sales rep had the most sales in September? What was their biggest sale?" and "Summarize our history with this Lead, then provide suggestions for the sales rep on what action to take next" can help your team quickly make data-driven decisions.
Connect to Claude
Connect to Claude
Connecting to Claude is simple and gives you a direct way to interact with your Nutshell data using natural language.
Connecting through Claude requires a paid Claude account.
Step 1: Open Claude and access settings
In Claude Desktop or the Claude web app, open the sidebar and click on your avatar menu in the bottom left.
Navigate to Settings, then go to Connectors.
Step 2: Add the Nutshell connector
Click Add Custom Connector and enter the following:
Name: Nutshell
If the Nutshell connector doesn’t appear immediately, try restarting Claude Desktop and returning to the Connectors page.
3. Log in and authorize
Click Connect. If you’re not logged in to Nutshell, you’ll be prompted to do so.
After logging in, approve access on the consent page to allow Claude to fetch data from your MCP server.
4. Verify the connection
Use the Connections button in Claude to confirm that the Nutshell MCP server is enabled. Once verified, Claude is ready to interact with your data.
5. Ask questions and explore your data
You can now ask Claude about leads, companies, activities, and more in Nutshell. Claude will automatically determine the right tools to retrieve and summarize the information you need.
Connect to ChatGPT
Connect to ChatGPT
Connect Nutshell to ChatGPT in a few clicks to better understand your Nutshell data using natural language.
Connecting through ChatGPT requires a paid ChatGPT account.
Step 1: Open ChatGPT
Click on your profile and go to Settings.
Go to Apps & Connectors, scroll down to Advanced settings, and enable Developer mode.
Step 2: Add the Nutshell Connector
Go back to Apps & Connectors and in the upper right click Create. Enter https://app.nutshell.com/mcp for the URL.
If you’re not logged in to Nutshell, you will be directed to the Nutshell login page.
Step 3: Log in and authorize
On the consent page, click Authorize.
Step 4: Complete the connection
Now return to your ChatGPT account. In the chat box, hit the +, then go to More and click Developer mode.
Enable the Nutshell MCP server you just added.
Step 5: Ask questions and explore your data
Ask ChatGPT some questions about your Nutshell data, and it will automatically determine which tools to use to fetch that information.
Example MCP server prompts
So what can Nutshell's MCP server help you do with your Nutshell data? The following example prompts are a good starting place:
Show me contact information and a quick digest for my most recently created leads
Which leads should I reach out to first today?
Break down our sales by pipeline for this month
What was our biggest competitor that we lost to this month?
Out of all the lost leads this year, what % did we contact?
Which sales rep had the most sales in September? What was their biggest sale?
Tell me about our 10 most recent sales. How much revenue did each rep close?
How does lead volume look over the course of this year?
FAQs
Can the MCP server make changes in my Nutshell account?
The MCP server can only read your data and cannot make any changes to your Nutshell account, letting you get the insights you want while everything in your account remains unchanged.
What can I do with the MCP server?
Nutshell's MCP server performs a variety of searches and reporting tasks. Here's everything the MCP server can do on your behalf with the right prompt:
Search leads: Find a lead or list of leads
Search Companies: Find an account or list of accounts
Search People: Find a person or list of people
Search Users: Find a user or list of users
Pipelines: View or list pipelines
Stages: View or list all pipeline stages
Outcomes: List your configured lead outcomes
Activity types: List available activity types
Channels and sources: List your sources / channels
Industries: List industry types
Markets, territories: View or list markets and territories
Tags: Get all tags used in the system
Products: View/list available products
Competitors: List competitors
Lead reports: Fetch summary or detailed lead reports
Timeline Information: Fetch timeline information for leads, companies, and people
Saved lists: Get user's or team's saved filters
How do I troubleshoot connection issues between my AI assistant and Nutshell's MCP server?
First, check your OAuth authentication. If connected, verify your AI assistant's configuration file includes the correct MCP connector. Common fixes: refresh your access token, ensure you're using HTTPS, and check activity logs for specific error messages. Still stuck? Try disconnecting and reconnecting the integration. If you need further assistance, contact the Nutshell Support team.
Can I use MCP to automate lead assignment and follow-up tasks based on AI insights?
As of now, Nutshell's MCP server integration enables your AI tool to analyze lead, sale, marketing, custom field, and website data without triggering automations directly.
What's the difference between using MCP and Nutshell's API for AI integration?
MCP is purpose-built for AI conversations—it handles context, maintains session history, and translates natural language into actions. APIs require technical setup and coding for each integration. Think of MCP as plug-and-play for AI, while APIs offer more control but need developer resources.
How much does the MCP server integration impact my Nutshell subscription costs?
Good news—MCP server integration is included with all Nutshell plans at no extra cost. You'll only pay for your AI assistant subscription (ChatGPT Plus, Claude Pro). There are no usage limits or hidden fees for MCP queries within Nutshell.
Can I create custom AI prompts and save them as templates for my team?
While Nutshell doesn't currently offer built-in prompt templates, you can standardize team prompts by documenting them in shared resources. Save effective queries like "Show this week's pipeline by stage" or "List stalled deals over 30 days" for consistent team usage across AI assistants.