How to Use the Basecamp MCP in Claude

Q: How do I install the Basecamp MCP Server in Claude Desktop?

Open your claudedesktopconfig.json file. Add the Vinkius endpoint URL under the mcpServers key. Restart the app and the tools will appear in your chat interface.

Q: Can Claude Desktop read my Basecamp message boards?

Yes. The agent uses the listmessages tool to read thread titles and content. You can ask it to summarize long discussions directly in the prompt.

Get live Basecamp project data and chat logs directly inside Claude Desktop without context switching.

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Connect Basecamp MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect Basecamp to Claude Desktop and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup Basecamp with Claude Desktop

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Claude Desktop MCP Server for Basecamp

This Basecamp MCP Server gives Claude direct read access to your active work. Instead of copying text from your browser, you let the agent pull exact strings from your team's conversations. Your AI client needs this raw context to write accurate project updates. Ask Claude to summarize yesterday's decisions. The agent calls `list_campfire_lines` and `list_messages` to read the actual chat logs, then formats a quick brief. You stay in the chat window while the AI handles the reading.

Track tasks across teams

Checking project statuses manually wastes time. You can bypass the clicking by connecting this MCP server to check specific boards. It reads the raw task data instantly without requiring you to open another tab. When you need a status report, the agent chains `list_projects`, `list_todolists`, and `list_todos`. It finds open tasks assigned to specific engineers and drops a formatted markdown list right into your conversation.

Map out team structure

Basecamp keeps your team roster siloed, but this integration exposes it. Sometimes you just need to know who is working on what. Now your agent can pull the exact employee list on demand. The `list_people` and `get_project` tools let Claude cross-reference user accounts with active projects. You see exactly which designers are assigned to the mobile app redesign without digging through settings menus.

Setup guide

Set up Basecamp MCP in Claude Web or Desktop

1

Open Claude Settings

Go to claude.ai, click your profile icon, then navigate to Customize → Connectors.
2

Add Custom Connector

Click the "+" button and select Add custom connector. Paste your Vinkius endpoint URL: https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your token from cloud.vinkius.com. For OAuth-protected servers, expand Advanced settings to add credentials.
3

Start a conversation

Open a new chat. The Basecamp MCP tools are available immediately — no restart needed.

Endpoint URL

https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

No configuration file needed — paste the URL directly in the Claude web interface.

Available on Free (1 connector), Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Prerequisites

Claude Desktop installed (macOS or Windows)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open Claude Desktop Settings

Click the menu icon at the top-left corner, go to Settings → Developer → Edit Config. This opens claude_desktop_config.json in your default text editor.
2

Paste the Basecamp MCP configuration

Copy the JSON snippet on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Desktop

Close and reopen the application. Claude needs a full restart to load new MCPs — refreshing a conversation is not enough.
4

Verify the connection

Open a new conversation. Click the 🔌 icon at the bottom of the message input. You should see tools listed under basecamp-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "basecamp-mcp": {
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by Basecamp. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about Basecamp MCP in Claude Desktop

Open your claude_desktop_config.json file. Add the Vinkius endpoint URL under the mcpServers key. Restart the app and the tools will appear in your chat interface.

Yes. The agent uses the `list_messages` tool to read thread titles and content. You can ask it to summarize long discussions directly in the prompt.

It works perfectly in the browser. Go to Settings, click Integrations, and paste your Vinkius server URL as a custom connector.

No. These tools are strictly read-only. The server provides access to `list_todos` and `get_project`, but cannot create or delete records.

Every request runs inside an ephemeral V8 Isolate Sandbox. Your Campfire messages and project lists are never stored on disk. The environment destroys itself the millisecond your query finishes.

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