A connector is how you give Claude access to external tools and services. When you add a connector, Claude can do things it cannot do on its own — like searching the web, generating images, analysing websites, or looking up live data.
Connectors work in Claude chat on the web, the desktop app, and your phone. You set one up once and it works everywhere you use Claude.
How do connectors work?
Behind the scenes, connectors use an open standard called Model Context Protocol (MCP). You do not need to know anything about MCP to use a connector — Claude handles all of it for you. You just add the connector and start asking Claude to do things.
When you ask Claude something that needs an external tool, it automatically finds the right one through the connector, calls it, and brings the result back into your conversation. You stay in the same chat the whole time.
How do I add a connector?
Go to Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector in any Claude app. Enter a name and a URL, then click Add. That is it.
For example, to add ToolRouter as a connector:
- Name:
ToolRouter - URL:
https://api.toolrouter.com/mcp
This gives Claude access to hundreds of tools instantly. No account needed — ToolRouter creates one automatically on first use.
See Connect to Claude for the full step-by-step guide with screenshots.
What can Claude do with a connector?
Without a connector, Claude can think, write, and reason. With a connector like ToolRouter, Claude can also:
- Generate images — product photos, marketing visuals, and art using 50+ AI models
- Create videos — UGC-style content, product demos, social media clips
- Search the web — find current information, news, research papers
- Take screenshots — full-page captures of any website
- Analyse websites — SEO audits, competitor analysis, traffic data
- Find leads — contact details, company data, email enrichment
- Research competitors — see their ads, traffic sources, and strategy
- Generate charts — visualise data, create graphs and reports
- Look up live data — stock prices, weather, currency rates, flight status
- Generate music — create tracks, sound effects, and voice audio
There are hundreds more tools across 12 categories. See the full tool catalog to browse everything available.
You just ask Claude in plain English. It picks the right tool and handles the rest.
How do I use a connector in a conversation?
After adding a connector, click the + button in the Claude chat box, find Connectors, and toggle ToolRouter on. Once it is on for a conversation, Claude can use any tool in the catalog for that chat.
You can also ask Claude to turn it on: just say "use ToolRouter" or ask it to do something that requires a tool, and Claude will prompt you to enable the connector.
Are connectors safe?
Yes. Connectors can only do what you allow. When Claude wants to use a tool through a connector, it tells you what it is about to do and asks for your permission before running anything.
With ToolRouter specifically:
- Your data is not stored or logged
- API keys you provide are used once and then discarded
- You see the cost before any paid tool runs
- Nothing is charged without your confirmation
See our security policy for full details.
How many connectors can I add?
Free Claude accounts support one custom connector. Paid Claude accounts (Pro, Team, Enterprise) can add multiple connectors.
With ToolRouter, one connector is all you need — it gives Claude access to the full tool catalog through a single connection. Instead of adding a separate connector for image generation, another for web search, and another for data lookups, ToolRouter bundles everything into one.
Do connectors cost anything?
Adding a connector is free. ToolRouter itself has many free tools — web search, weather, currency, charts, and more. Tools that use paid services (image generation, video creation, deep research) cost a small amount per use. You add credits to your ToolRouter account and only pay for what you use.
Visit pricing for full details.
What is the difference between a connector and Claude's built-in features?
Claude has some built-in capabilities like web search and document analysis. Connectors extend Claude with additional tools that are not built in. For example, Claude cannot generate images, create videos, or analyse a website's SEO on its own — but it can with a connector like ToolRouter.
Built-in features and connectors work together. Claude uses whichever is best for what you are asking.
What about Claude Code?
Claude Code (the terminal version) does not use the word "connector." Instead, you add tools with a terminal command:
claude mcp add toolrouter -- npx -y toolrouter-mcpThe technology underneath is the same — MCP — but the setup is different. See Connect to Claude Code for that guide.
How do I get started?
Add ToolRouter as a connector now — it takes about 30 seconds:
- Open Claude (web, desktop, or mobile)
- Go to Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector
- Enter name
ToolRouterand URLhttps://api.toolrouter.com/mcp - Click Add
That is it. Start a new conversation, enable the connector, and ask Claude to do something — like "generate an image of a sunset over mountains" or "analyse the SEO of my website."