Connecting Your Tools

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

TL;DR

Connectors transform Claude from an assistant into an informed collaborator by giving Claude access to the same tools, data, and context that you use every day. Instead of starting every conversation from scratch, Claude can work directly with your actual information.
Connectors allow Claude to read information and perform actions on your behalf. Depending on the connector and permissions you grant, Claude can search your files, retrieve documents, analyze data, create new content, update records, and execute tasks across your connected applications—all from within your conversation.
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) powers connectors. Think of MCP like USB-C for AI—a universal standard that allows Claude to connect to many different applications through a single, consistent interface. This open standard means developers can build connectors for any tool, and those connectors work seamlessly with Claude.
There are two types of connectors: web connectors and desktop extensions. Web connectors link Claude to cloud services like Google Drive, Notion, Slack, and Asana. Desktop extensions run locally on your computer through the Claude Desktop app, giving Claude access to local files and native applications.

Finding and Connecting Tools

Anthropic maintains a directory of recommended connectors at claude.ai/directory. The directory is organized into two tabs:

Web: Cloud services and applications (Gmail, Notion, Slack, Asana, Linear, Stripe, and many more)
Desktop extensions: Local tools that run on your computer through the Claude Desktop app

Using Connectors in Your Work

Once you’ve connected your tools, Claude considers them when responding to your requests. See these for some practical ways to use connected tools.

Security and Permissions

When you connect Claude to external services, you’re granting it access to read—and sometimes modify—data within those services.

Here are some important considerations:

Scoped access

Permissions are specific to what the connector needs and you can toggle individual permissions on and off within each application’s menu.

Claude sees what you see

Claude can only access data you have access to. Connecting your work email doesn’t give Claude access to your CEO’s inbox—only your own.

Revocable at any time

You can disconnect a service through Claude’s settings or through the third-party service’s security settings. Just as with Skills, you can also find or build custom connectors. Exercise the same caution — only install connectors from trusted sources.

Enterprise Search

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Skipping, as it is not relevant. Check for more.

Research for Deep Dives

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

TL;DR

Research transforms how Claude finds and analyzes information. Instead of a single search, Claude operates agentically—conducting multiple searches that build on each other while determining exactly what to investigate next. It explores different angles of your question automatically and works through open questions systematically.
Research takes longer than your usual search — a few minutes or more, depending on the question. That’s because it isn’t one lookup: Claude can send out many searches at once, sometimes across hundreds of sources, and pull what they find into one answer. That work isn’t instant.
Research works with Thinking, so Claude can plan its approach before it searches. It breaks a complex request into manageable pieces, then gathers what each piece needs.
Citations make verification easy. Research delivers thorough answers complete with easy-to-check citations, so you can trust Claude’s findings and quickly verify sources yourself.

What is Research?

Research is an advanced feature that transforms Claude from a conversational assistant into a systematic investigator.

When you enable Research, Claude doesn’t just answer your question—it explores it from multiple angles, synthesizing information from across the web and your connected integrations. Think of it as having a skilled research assistant who gathers information, cross-references sources, and compiles a comprehensive report while you stay on your own work.

Research is particularly valuable when you need more than a quick answer. It’s designed for situations where a thorough understanding requires pulling together information from multiple sources, comparing different perspectives, and synthesizing findings into actionable insights.

When to Use Research?

Use Research when you need

Comprehensive reports that synthesize information from multiple sources
In-depth analysis across the web and your connected integrations (like Google Workspace)
Thorough investigations that would typically require hours of manual work
Comparative analysis, such as evaluating competitors or vendor options
Reports with citations you can verify

Research is ideal for tasks like

Market analysis and competitive research
Planning complex projects, like team offsites or product launches
Synthesizing information from your email, calendar, and documents
Creating technical documentation that draws from multiple sources
Preparing briefings that require current, verified information

Consider web search instead when

You need a quick, specific fact (like today’s stock price or a company’s address)
The answer requires only one or two sources
Speed matters more than comprehensiveness

Consider turning on Thinking instead when

You need deep reasoning on a complex problem that doesn’t require external information
You’re working on mathematical problems, code debugging, or logical analysis
The answer comes from reasoning through a problem rather than gathering information

Consider enterprise search instead when

You need answers that draw from your organization’s internal knowledge — documents, Slack threads, emails, meeting notes
You’re onboarding and want to quickly find how your company handles something (like policies, processes, or past decisions)
You’re asking a question that’s specific to your company, not the public web

How Research Works?

When you enable Research, you’re activating an agentic, multi-step process that goes far beyond a simple web search. Claude autonomously decides what to search next based on what it has already found, pursuing leads and filling gaps without you needing to direct each step.

Claude plans its approach.

Claude thinks through its approach before it searches: it breaks down your request, identifies what information it needs, and plans how to investigate the different angles of your question.

Claude conducts multiple searches.

Rather than running a single search, Claude conducts many searches that build on each other. It determines what to investigate next based on what it finds, pursuing promising leads and filling in gaps.

Claude synthesizes findings.

After gathering information from multiple sources—including the web and any connected integrations like Gmail, Google Calendar, or Google Drive—Claude compiles everything into a comprehensive, well-organized report.

Claude provides citations.

Every claim in Research reports links back to its source, making it easy to verify information and dig deeper when needed.

Using Research in Practice

Tips for effective Research prompts

Be specific about your goals.

Instead of “Tell me about the EV market,” try “Analyze the electric vehicle battery market—identify key players, technology trends, and supply chain challenges that might affect investment decisions.”

Specify the sections or structure you want.

Claude will organize its findings around the structure you provide. For example: “Compare venue options for a team offsite including: location and accessibility, meeting space and amenities, catering options, and pricing considerations.”

Include relevant constraints.

Budget ranges, timelines, geographic requirements, and other parameters help Claude focus its research on relevant options.

Ask Claude to help refine your prompt.

If you’re not sure how to frame your research question, you can even ask Claude to help you write a better Research prompt before enabling the feature.

Working with connected integrations

When you have Google Workspace or other integrations connected, Research becomes even more powerful. Claude can pull context from your emails, calendar, and documents alongside web research.

Expanding Claude's Reach |

Connecting Your Tools

Finding and Connecting Tools

Using Connectors in Your Work

Security and Permissions

Enterprise Search

Research for Deep Dives

What is Research?

When to Use Research?

How Research Works?

Claude plans its approach.

Claude conducts multiple searches.

Claude synthesizes findings.

Claude provides citations.

Using Research in Practice

Tips for effective Research prompts

Working with connected integrations