How to Use the HotDocs MCP in Claude

Q: How do I start a new document with HotDocs in Claude Desktop?

Just ask Claude to listtemplatepackages. Once you pick one, tell it to createworkitem. Claude handles the API calls for you.

Q: Can I download the final document through Claude Desktop after using HotDocs?

Yes. After you completeassembly, ask Claude to listdocuments. Then tell it which one you want and it will use getdocumentcontent to fetch it for you.

Q: What if I already have the answers for a HotDocs template in Claude Desktop?

Perfect, you can skip the interview. Use the updateanswers tool to send your data directly to HotDocs as XML, then run completeassembly.

Q: How do I check the status of a document I'm building?

Ask Claude to run getworkitem with your work item's ID. It will pull the latest status and details directly from HotDocs Advance.

Automate your HotDocs document workflows right from the Claude Desktop chat, no browser needed.

See Vinkius in Action

Works with every AI agent you already use

…and any MCP-compatible client

MCP Servers - Free for Subscribers

Connect HotDocs MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect HotDocs 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.

GDPR Free for Subscribers

Setup HotDocs with Claude Desktop

Ask AI about this MCP

ChatGPT

Claude

Perplexity

Build Documents in Chat

Ask Claude to find a template, start a new job, and fill it out. You can talk your way through creating a complex legal document without ever touching the HotDocs UI. Use `list_template_packages` to see what's available, then `create_work_item` to get started. Once you've provided the answers, tell Claude to run `complete_assembly`. It builds the document in the background. Then you can use `list_documents` and `get_document_content` to pull the final PDF or Word file right into your conversation.

Manage Workflows with this MCP Server

This isn't just about creating one-off documents. You can track everything your team is working on. Ask Claude to `list_work_items` to see a full history, or use `list_work_items_by_date` for a specific report. Need to check on a specific job? Just give Claude the ID and have it run `get_work_item`. You can even check for missing information before finalizing a document by asking it to run `get_unanswered_variables`.

Feed Data from Anywhere

You've got data in a spreadsheet or another system. Instead of manually re-typing it into a HotDocs interview, you can have Claude format it as answer XML. This is the real power of connecting your AI client to HotDocs. The `update_answers` tool lets your agent push structured data directly into a work item. This turns a manual, multi-step process into a single automated command. It's perfect for batch-generating contracts or reports.

Setup guide

Set up HotDocs 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 HotDocs 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 HotDocs 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 hotdocs-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hotdocs-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 HotDocs Advance. 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.

Why Choose Vinkius

Vinkius connects your tools to AI with real-time monitoring and automatic cost savings — all from one dashboard.

Connect HotDocs now

Real-time monitoring

Live

visibility into every interaction

Connect your favorite tools to your AI and see exactly what's happening — every request, every response, in real time.

Built-in savings

60%

lower AI costs

Vinkius compresses data between your apps and your AI automatically. Lower bills every month — no configuration required.

Single dashboard

One

place for every integration

Every tool your AI connects to, managed from a single screen. One account, complete control.

Common questions about HotDocs MCP in Claude Desktop

Just ask Claude to `list_template_packages`. Once you pick one, tell it to `create_work_item`. Claude handles the API calls for you.

Yes. After you `complete_assembly`, ask Claude to `list_documents`. Then tell it which one you want and it will use `get_document_content` to fetch it for you.

Perfect, you can skip the interview. Use the `update_answers` tool to send your data directly to HotDocs as XML, then run `complete_assembly`.

Ask Claude to run `get_work_item` with your work item's ID. It will pull the latest status and details directly from HotDocs Advance.

The server only processes data you explicitly provide, like template IDs and the `answer_xml` for your documents. Your Vinkius MCP Server instance is isolated and all communication with the HotDocs API is direct. Nothing is stored on the MCP server itself.

Use it with your favorite AI tools

Connect this server to Cursor, Claude, VS Code, and more.

OpenAI Agents SDK sdk-python

Google ADK sdk-python

Pydantic AI sdk-python

Vercel AI SDK sdk-typescript