How to Use the Buddy Punch MCP in Claude Code

Q: How do I connect Buddy Punch to Claude Code?

Use the claude mcp add command with your server URL and transport settings. Once added, the tools become available for your terminal-based scripts.

Q: Does Claude Code automate Buddy Punch clock-ins?

You can include the punchinout tool in your shell scripts to automate time recording. Claude Code executes these calls headless during your workflow.

Q: Can I export time logs using Claude Code?

You can pull time logs via the listtimeentries tool and redirect the output to a file. This is useful for building custom payroll reports in your terminal.

Run payroll operations from your terminal with the Buddy Punch MCP Server.

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Connect Buddy Punch MCP to Claude Code

Create your Vinkius account to connect Buddy Punch to Claude Code 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 Buddy Punch with Claude Code

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Claude Code tracks shifts via CLI

Execute `punch_in_out` directly from your shell to log your hours without a browser. This works perfectly inside your existing CI scripts or local terminal window. It returns the status code immediately. You can pipe this output into other bash commands to handle your daily workflow.

Terminal-based Buddy Punch reporting

Pipe the output of `list_time_entries` into your log files to track your team's performance. Claude Code handles the raw data so you can parse it with standard text tools. This makes it easy to generate logs for your daily standups. You stay in your terminal for every part of the process.

Manage pay periods in Claude Code

Query `list_pay_periods` to see when your next payroll window opens. The terminal displays the dates clearly so you can schedule your tasks accordingly. It also supports `list_employees` for quick lookups during team audits. You get the data you need without leaving your command line environment.

Setup guide

Set up Buddy Punch MCP in Claude Code

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Run the add command

Open your terminal and run the command shown on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com. Use --scope user to make it available across all projects.
2

Verify the connection

Start a Claude Code session and type /mcp to list connected servers. You should see buddy-punch-mcp with a green status indicator.
3

Start using tools

Ask Claude Code something like "Check my latest Buddy Punch transactions." It will automatically discover and invoke the available Buddy Punch tools.

Terminal

claude mcp add --transport http buddy-punch-mcp https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

Get your connection token →

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open the config file

Create or edit .mcp.json in your project root for project-level scope, or ~/.claude.json for user-level scope.
2

Add the Buddy Punch MCP

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

Restart Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session. Type /mcp to confirm the server is connected. The tools will be automatically available in your conversation.

.mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "buddy-punch-mcp": {
      "type": "url",
      "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 Buddy Punch. 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 Buddy Punch MCP in Claude Code

Use the `claude mcp add` command with your server URL and transport settings. Once added, the tools become available for your terminal-based scripts.

You can include the `punch_in_out` tool in your shell scripts to automate time recording. Claude Code executes these calls headless during your workflow.

Your endpoint token is handled by the Vinkius infrastructure. The server remains isolated, and your credentials never touch your local config files directly.

You can pull time logs via the `list_time_entries` tool and redirect the output to a file. This is useful for building custom payroll reports in your terminal.

The server uses tokenized access to your time and employee records. All communication occurs over an ephemeral, encrypted pipe that terminates once your command finishes.

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