How to Use the UtilityAPI MCP in Claude

Q: How does UtilityAPI help with general billing queries using Claude Desktop?

You use the getbills tool. Just provide a meter UID or a list of them, and it returns total costs, start/end dates, and energy usage for your account. You can easily analyze customer spending trends this way.

Q: What should I know about data collection status when using UtilityAPI with Claude Desktop?

Use the getevents tool. It logs every step in the process, like 'collection completed' or 'error'. This is how you monitor if your historical backfilling efforts are actually working.

Q: Does UtilityAPI support testing forms before I use them with Claude Desktop?

Yes. Run testformsubmission. You feed it the form ID from a successful createauthform call, and it spits out a referral code. That code lets you test the associated meter data using listauthorizations.

Q: If I need to list all available meters for querying with Claude Desktop, which tool should I use?

You run listmeters. This gives you a comprehensive list of every service connection—the unique meter UIDs, utility name, and fuel type—you'll need for subsequent calls like getting bills or intervals.

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Connect UtilityAPI MCP to Claude Desktop

Create your Vinkius account to connect UtilityAPI 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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Monitor Data Collection Status

The `get_events` tool tracks the status of data collection workflows. It reports everything from when a new authorization pops up to when historical data starts coming in or if an error hits. This lets you build real-time notifications, so you know exactly when customer data is ready for analysis. You can also use `list_authorizations` to track which customers have granted access and grab their referral codes. It’s crucial for knowing whose meter IDs you can actually query next.

Get Detailed Usage Data

Use the `get_intervals` tool when you need granular energy readings, like 15-minute or hourly usage values. You provide the meter UIDs, and it spits out timestamps, usage amounts (kWh or therms), and cost figures. This detail is better than just looking at a bill; it lets you map peak demand times. If you need both the financial picture and the technical readings, run `get_meter_data`. It combines full billing history with those detailed interval data points for one complete energy analysis.

Set Up Customer Authorization

The `create_auth_form` tool builds a secure form and returns a unique `form_uid` that you redirect customers to. You specify the utility code and even if it's a residential or commercial setup, making sure you cover all scenarios. This is how you kick off new data sharing agreements with utilities. Don't forget to check `list_utilities` first; it gives you every valid company code needed for this process. The entire system relies on proper authorization before any billing data can be pulled.

Setup guide

Set up UtilityAPI 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 UtilityAPI 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 UtilityAPI 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 utilityapi-mcp.

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "utilityapi-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 UtilityAPI. 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 UtilityAPI MCP in Claude Desktop

You use the `get_bills` tool. Just provide a meter UID or a list of them, and it returns total costs, start/end dates, and energy usage for your account. You can easily analyze customer spending trends this way.

Use the `get_events` tool. It logs every step in the process, like 'collection completed' or 'error'. This is how you monitor if your historical backfilling efforts are actually working.

Yes. Run `test_form_submission`. You feed it the form ID from a successful `create_auth_form` call, and it spits out a referral code. That code lets you test the associated meter data using `list_authorizations`.

This UtilityAPI server touches usage data, billing records, and customer authorization details (metadata). Specifically, it handles energy consumption metrics like kWh or therms.

You run `list_meters`. This gives you a comprehensive list of every service connection—the unique meter UIDs, utility name, and fuel type—you'll need for subsequent calls like getting bills or intervals.

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