How to Use the Clio MCP in Windsurf

Q: Does the Clio MCP let Windsurf check my billable hours?

It absolutely does. Your agent uses listactivities to pull your time entries and expenses. You can ask for a quick summary of your unbilled hours for the week.

Q: How does Windsurf link documents to specific Clio cases?

Cascade uses listdocuments filtered by the target matter ID. It reads the filenames and creation dates to understand what files belong to the case.

Connect Windsurf to your legal practice. Let Cascade track time, pull case details, and draft client updates automatically.

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Connect Clio MCP to Windsurf

Create your Vinkius account to connect Clio to Windsurf 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 Clio with Windsurf

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Build Case Dashboards with Windsurf

This MCP server gives your agent direct access to legal matters and contacts. You ask Windsurf to summarize an active litigation file. Cascade immediately fires `search_matters` to find the case reference, then hits `get_matter` to pull the responsible attorney and status. It does not stop there. Once it has the core details, Cascade chains `list_documents` and `list_notes` to build a complete timeline of the case. You get a full briefing document generated right in your editor without clicking through tabs.

Track Billable Hours Autonomously

Logging time usually breaks your focus. Now you just tell your agent you spent two hours reviewing discovery documents for a specific client. Cascade handles the backend work by calling `search_contacts` to grab the correct ID. Next, it executes `create_activity` with the exact YYYY-MM-DD format and seconds spent. It logs the TimeEntry instantly. You stay in your code while the firm gets accurate billing records.

Manage Court Deadlines via MCP

Missing a filing date is a massive liability. You can tell Windsurf to check your upcoming schedule. It runs `list_tasks` filtered by matter to pull case-specific court deadlines and internal firm to-dos. If you realize you need a follow-up, just type the instruction. Cascade triggers `create_task` and links it to the active matter with a hard due date. Your calendar stays updated without leaving the IDE.

Setup guide

Set up Clio MCP in Windsurf

Prerequisites

Windsurf IDE installed (macOS, Windows, or Linux)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open MCP configuration

Click the Cascade assistant icon in the sidebar, then click the hammer icon (🔨) at the top of the panel. Select "Configure" to open ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json.
2

Add the Clio 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

Refresh MCPs

Go back to the hammer icon (🔨) in Cascade and click "Refresh". Windsurf will detect the new server. No full restart is needed — the connection is hot-reloaded.
4

Verify in Cascade

Start a new Cascade conversation and ask something like "Show my Clio payment history." If connected, Cascade will call the Clio tools directly. You will see a green dot next to the server name in the MCP panel.

mcp_config.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "clio-alternative-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 Clio. 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 Clio MCP in Windsurf

Open your settings and navigate to the Cascade MCP Servers UI. You can also edit `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json` directly. Just add the Vinkius endpoint token under your server block and click refresh.

Yes. Cascade reads your meeting transcript and extracts the client details. It then calls `create_matter` with the required display number and description to open the case.

It absolutely does. Your agent uses `list_activities` to pull your time entries and expenses. You can ask for a quick summary of your unbilled hours for the week.

Cascade uses `list_documents` filtered by the target matter ID. It reads the filenames and creation dates to understand what files belong to the case.

Vinkius routes your requests through an ephemeral V8 Isolate Sandbox. When your agent pulls sensitive case descriptions and personal contact details, the memory drops instantly after the response. Zero trust means nothing gets stored.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

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