Ctrlk
Visit Zipwire
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt. This page is also available as Markdown.

Zipwire MCP Server

How to connect Claude Desktop to Zipwire's MCP server and use tools for timesheets, activities, workflows, and more

Zipwire runs an MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that exposes the Zipwire v1 API as tools for any MCP-compatible client—Claude Desktop, custom agents, or other tools that support the MCP standard.

Server URL: https://zipwire.io/api/v1/mcp

Protocol: JSON-RPC 2.0 with OAuth 2.1 (Dynamic Client Registration)

MCP is for any client. This guide uses Claude Desktop as an example, but the same server works with any MCP client that supports the standard.

Quick Start: Connect Your MCP Client

This example uses Claude Desktop. The same server and OAuth flow work with any MCP client.

1. Log In to Zipwire

Open your browser and log in to Zipwire. Keep the browser tab open—you'll need to authorize your MCP client from here.

2. Open Your MCP Client Settings

In Claude Desktop (or your MCP client), open the connector/integration settings:

  • Claude Desktop: Settings → Connectors

  • Other clients: Consult your client's documentation for where MCP servers are configured

3. Add Zipwire as an MCP Server

Click the + Add button to add a new server:

  • Name: Zipwire

  • URL: https://zipwire.io/api/v1/mcp

  • Advanced Settings: Leave empty

Click Add to save.

4. Authorize Your Client

You'll see the Zipwire server in your list. Click Connect next to it.

A browser window will open to the Zipwire authorization page. Review the requested permissions (your client is asking for access to your Zipwire account and tools), then click Authorize to grant access.

5. Done!

Your MCP client now has access to all your Zipwire tools. You can start using them immediately by asking your client to help with timesheets, activities, workflows, and more.

Available Tools by Surface

Zipwire's MCP server exposes tools organized by surfaces (functional areas). The tools available to you depend on which features you have activated in Zipwire.

How tool availability works:

  1. You activate a feature by using it in Zipwire (e.g., create time entries, manage workflows, request collections)

  2. Your usage creates a persona (Sender, Actor, Admin, etc.)

  3. Your persona determines which surfaces you can access in the MCP server

  4. Each surface maps to a set of tools

For example:

  • If you've tracked time in the past 90 days → you have the Sender persona → you see Journal, Activities, Workflows, Timesheets tools

  • If you've managed a collection → you have the Collection Requestor persona → you see CollectionAdmin tools

  • If you've approved timesheets → you have the Actor persona → you see approval tools

To enable more tools: Use the feature in Zipwire's website first. Once you've activated it, the corresponding tools will appear in your MCP client.

Core Time & Attendance

Journal — Time Entry Management

  • Create, edit, list, and delete daily time entries

  • Track time against activities and dates

  • Examples: journal_create_entry, journal_list_entries, journal_get_entry

Activities — Activity Code Management

  • List, search, create, and rename activity codes

  • Merge activity codes

  • Examples: activities_list, activities_search, activities_create

Timesheets — Timesheet Submission & Approval

  • List and view timesheets (both submitted and pending approval)

  • Submit timesheets for approval

  • Approve, reject, or process timesheets

  • Run workflow commands on timesheets

  • Examples: timesheets_list, timesheets_submit, timesheets_approve

Workflow & Configuration

Workflows — Workflow Management

  • Create and configure workflow templates

  • List and retrieve workflow state

  • Manage workflow boxes and routing

  • Examples: workflows_list, workflows_create, workflows_get

Account — User Profile & Preferences

  • Get/update profile information

  • View locale and timezone settings

  • Manage wallet information and preferences

  • Examples: account_get_profile, account_update_profile

Dashboard — Overview & Status

  • Get summary of items needing attention

  • View recent activity and aggregate counts

  • Overview across all workplaces

  • Examples: dashboard_get_summary

Financial & Billing

Invoicing — Invoice Configuration

  • Get and set invoice details (address, tax information, payment methods)

  • Configure company invoice details

  • Examples: invoicing_get_details, invoicing_set_details

Payment Methods — Payment Configuration

  • List and manage payment methods

  • Configure payment details

  • Examples: payment_methods_list, payment_methods_add

Companies — Company Information

  • List and view company details

  • Get companies by relationship (clients, workplaces)

  • View company invoice details

  • Examples: companies_list, companies_get, companies_get_by_relationship

Identity & Access

Authentication — Credentials & API Access

  • Exchange API keys

  • Manage OAuth connections

  • View connected providers

  • Examples: auth_exchange_key, auth_list_connections

Documents — Document Upload

  • Upload personal documents to your account

  • Examples: documents_upload

Surveys & Collections

CollectionAdmin — Collection Review (admin/requestor)

  • List and view collections and their status

  • Review submitted items and ID check results (e.g. Yoti reports)

  • Read self-declared identity data alongside document check outcomes

  • Examples: collections_list, collections_get, collection_items_get

  • Note: Creating and configuring new collections is still web-only

  • See it in action: Right to Work checks and the UK Right to Rent template

CollectionRespondent — Survey Response (respondent only)

  • View and respond to assigned collections/surveys

  • Upload documents for requested collections

  • Collection management (create, configure) is web-only

Advanced Features

Teams — Team Management (admin)

  • Team management is currently web-only via the Zipwire interface

  • Full team management (create, configure, membership) requires using the web app

WorkplaceAdmin — Workspace Configuration (admin)

  • Workspace configuration is currently web-only

  • Full workspace setup and policy management requires using the web app

Search — Global Search

  • Global search is currently available via the web interface only

Tools by User Role

Not all tools are available to every user. Here's what you can access based on your role:

Role
Tools Available

Sender (tracked time)

Journal, Activities, Workflows, Timesheets, Companies, Documents, Account, Authentication, Dashboard

Approver/Actor (approved timesheets)

Timesheets, Account, Dashboard

Workflow Admin (assigned workflows)

Timesheets, Workflows, Account, Authentication, Companies, Teams, WorkplaceAdmin, Search

Workplace Admin

Companies, WorkplaceAdmin, Account

Collection Admin (requested collections)

CollectionAdmin, Dashboard, Account, Authentication, WorkplaceAdmin

Collection Respondent

CollectionRespondent, Documents, Account, Dashboard

Don't see a tool you need? Use that feature in Zipwire's website first (e.g., create a time entry, request a collection, or approve a timesheet). Once you've activated the feature, the corresponding tools will appear in your MCP client on the next connection.

Authentication

Zipwire's MCP server uses OAuth 2.1 Dynamic Client Registration to authenticate Claude Desktop connections.

How It Works

  1. Initial Connection: When you click "Connect" in Claude Desktop, the Zipwire MCP server registers Claude as an OAuth client

  2. Authorization: You're redirected to Zipwire's authorization page where you approve the connection

  3. Token Exchange: Claude receives an OAuth access token that's used for all subsequent requests

  4. Ongoing Access: Claude uses the access token to call Zipwire tools—no API key entry required

For API Clients (Non-Claude)

If you're building your own MCP client or testing the API directly, you can use Zipwire API keys:

API keys are available in Zipwire under Account → Authentication → API Keys.

Using Tools in Your MCP Client

Once connected, you can ask your MCP client to use Zipwire tools:

Example 1: Create a Time Entry

Your client will call journal_create_entry with:

  • Date: today

  • Hours: 8

  • Activity: "Development"

Example 2: List My Timesheets

Your client will call timesheets_list with appropriate filters.

Example 3: Submit for Approval

Your client will call timesheets_submit to route the timesheet through your workflow.

Rate Limits & Quotas

Zipwire's MCP server enforces rate limits per API key:

  • Standard API Keys: 1,000 requests per hour

  • Premium API Keys: 10,000 requests per hour

If you exceed your quota, the server returns HTTP 429 with a Retry-After header.

Troubleshooting

Authorization Failed or "Connect" Button Not Working

  • Verify you're logged into Zipwire in your browser before clicking "Connect" in your MCP client

  • Check that cookies are enabled in your browser

  • Try clicking "Connect" again—the authorization page should open in a new window

  • If the page doesn't open, copy the URL from your client and open it manually in your browser

"Tool not found"

  • Verify the tool is available for your user role/account type

  • Some tools (e.g., WorkplaceAdmin) are only available to admins

  • Check your account permissions in Zipwire

  • Re-authorize your client to ensure it has the latest permissions

Tools Not Appearing in Your Client

  • Verify the server was successfully added and shows as "Connected" (green indicator)

  • Try disconnecting and reconnecting the Zipwire server

  • Restart your MCP client

  • Check that your Zipwire account has the required roles for the tools you need

"Connection refused"

  • Verify the MCP server URL is correct: https://zipwire.io/api/v1/mcp

  • Check your internet connection

  • Ensure your MCP client has network access

  • Try connecting from a different network to rule out firewall issues

What's Next

Questions? Reach out to Zipwire support or check our API documentation.

PreviousUsing Zipwire with ClaudeNextMCP Servers: Agent Authorization

Last updated