Developers · MCP server

Connect an AI agent to Flexlists

Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, n8n and every other app that speaks MCP (Model Context Protocol) can read and work with your lists — with exactly the rights you give them.

The MCP server of this Flexlists

https://flexlists.com/mcp

1. What it is

The Flexlists MCP server gives an AI agent the tools to work in your Flexlists: find lists, read and filter rows, add and change rows, add fields, build views such as a Kanban or a calendar, attach files, share lists, look at forms and automations. The agent calls these tools itself when you ask it something in plain words.

Ask things like:

“Add a row to my CRM for Acme, stage Lead, value 12,000”

“Which tasks are overdue? Group them by owner”

“Build a Kanban for my hiring pipeline”

It works over the internet (Streamable HTTP, MCP version 2025-06-18) at https://flexlists.com/mcp. Apps that can sign in — claude.ai, Claude Desktop, ChatGPT — only need that address: you sign in to Flexlists and approve. Apps that take a header use an API key.

2. Get a key

Using claude.ai, Claude Desktop or ChatGPT? Skip this: they sign in with OAuth (see step 3). You approve read only or read & write, and which workspace or lists, on a Flexlists page.

1. In Flexlists open Integrations (left menu) → the AI agents (MCP) tab.

2. Under "Create key for MCP": give it a name, pick Read only or Read & write, and the scope: your full account or one workspace. Click Create key for MCP.

3. Copy the key now — it is shown only once — or copy the ready-made setup for Claude Code, Cursor or VS Code with the key filled in.

4. A key for some lists only, or with another expiry date: Integrations → API keys → Create new API key, scope "Specific tables", Read or Write, and the expiry date. Every key (also OAuth connections) is listed there and can be revoked.

A key for some lists only, or with another expiry date: Integrations → API keys → Create new API key, scope "Specific tables", Read or Write, and the expiry date. Every key (also OAuth connections) is listed there and can be revoked.

Keep the key secret like a password. It works until it expires or you revoke it, for the lists in its scope, with your rights on them.

3. Add it to your app

Claude Code
API key or OAuth

Run this in a terminal (add --scope user to use it in every project):
Check it with claude mcp list, then ask Claude: "which lists do I have in Flexlists?"

With an API key

claude mcp add --transport http flexlists https://flexlists.com/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer <your Flexlists API key>"

Or sign in with OAuth (then run /mcp in Claude Code and pick flexlists → Authenticate)

claude mcp add --transport http flexlists https://flexlists.com/mcp

4. Use it

Just ask. The agent picks the tools. Good to know: a list is identified by its listId (from list_lists), rows are keyed by field name, and every tool that deletes asks for confirm: true — the agent has to tell you what goes and wait for your yes.

Context

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`whoami`	Who the key belongs to, its scope and whether it can write	read	“What can you do in my Flexlists?”
`list_workspaces`	The workspaces the key can see	read	“Which workspaces do I have?”
`find_existing`	What already exists or is built in for a request: lists, views, forms, apps, widgets, automations, view types, templates, gallery, integrations	read	“Do I already have something to track customers?”

Lists

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_lists`	Lists, by workspace, folder or name	read	“Show my lists in the Sales folder”
`get_list_schema`	Fields with types, Choice options and relations	read	“Which fields does my CRM have?”
`create_list`	A new list with fields and first rows	write	“Make a list for my book collection”
`rename_list`	Rename a list or change its description	write	“Rename "Leads 2024" to "Leads"”
`delete_list`	Delete a list (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Delete the old Test list”
`list_folders`	The folders of My Lists and My Views	read	“How are my lists organised?”
`create_folder`	A new folder	write	“Make a folder Q4 inside Sales”
`move_to_folder`	Move lists and views into a folder	write	“Put the CRM in the Sales folder”
`list_templates`	List and view templates	read	“Which templates are there for projects?”
`create_from_template`	A list (+ view) from a template	write	“Start a sales pipeline from the template, without demo data”

Fields

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`add_field`	Add a field, also a Link to another list (two-way)	write	“Add a Priority field with Low, Medium, High”
`add_rollup_field`	Sum / average / … of a field of the linked rows, optionally filtered	write	“Show the total paid amount of each client's invoices”
`add_count_field`	Number of linked rows, optionally filtered	write	“Count the open invoices per client”
`add_lookup_through_link_field`	The values of a field of the linked rows	write	“Show each order's customer e-mail”
`add_formula_field`	A Formula field, from a description (Flexlists writes and checks it) or an expression	write	“Add a field that shows how many days each animal has been in the shelter”
`explain_formula`	What a formula computes, in plain words	read	“What does the Days in shelter formula do?”
`update_field`	Rename, required, description, Choice options, a formula and its row order, or the type (preview first; values that would be lost need your OK)	write	“Make the Qty field a number”
`delete_field`	Delete a field (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Remove the Fax field”

Rows

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`search_rows`	Filter, full-text search, sort, page with a cursor	read	“Which tasks are overdue?”
`get_row`	One row by id	read	“Show me order 1043”
`create_rows`	Add up to 100 rows	write	“Add a row to my CRM for Acme”
`link_rows`	Link a row to rows of another list, by id or name (set / add / remove)	write	“Add Ann and Bob to the Website project”
`update_rows`	Change up to 100 rows (only the given fields)	write	“Mark the Acme deal as won”
`delete_rows`	Delete up to 100 rows (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Delete the duplicate contacts”
`count_rows`	How many rows match a filter	read	“How many open tickets are there?”
`aggregate_rows`	Count / sum / avg / min / max, grouped by a field or month	read	“Total deal value per stage”

Views

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_views`	The views of a list	read	“Which views does the Tasks list have?”
`list_view_types`	The view types and the fields they need	read	“Which views could I make for my events?”
`create_view`	Kanban, Calendar, Timeline, Gantt, Map, Gallery, Chart, Mind map, Storyboard, Sticky notes, …	write	“Build a Kanban for my hiring pipeline”
`get_view_rows`	Rows as a view filters and sorts them	read	“What is in my "This week" view?”
`create_checklist`	A checklist (items, runs, results + view)	write	“Make a weekly safety checklist”

Comments & history

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_comments`	The comments on a row	read	“What did the team say about Acme?”
`add_comment`	Comment on a row	write	“Note on Acme that they want a quote by Friday”
`get_row_history`	Who changed what, recently	read	“Who changed the price of this product?”
`list_snapshots`	The saved versions of a whole list (List history)	read	“When was the CRM last saved as a version?”

Files

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`attach_file_to_row`	A file from a URL (25 MB) or base64 (5 MB)	write	“Attach this PDF to the Acme contract row”
`get_file`	Download links (1 hour) of a row's files	read	“Give me the invoice of order 1043”
`read_spreadsheet`	Columns and first rows of a CSV / XLSX	read	“What is in this spreadsheet? (URL)”
`import_spreadsheet_rows`	Add a CSV / XLSX to a list	write	“Import these leads into my CRM”
`create_list_from_spreadsheet`	A new list from a CSV / XLSX or a Google Sheets link (every sheet a linked list with linkedSheets)	write	“Turn this spreadsheet into a list”

Sharing & groups

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`get_sharing`	Who has access to a list	read	“Who can see the Salaries list?”
`share_list`	Share a list by email	write	“Let ann@example.com edit the CRM”
`share_list_with_group`	Share a list with a group	write	“Give the Sales group read access to Leads”
`set_share_role`	Change someone's role on a list	write	“Make Bob read-only on the CRM”
`unshare`	Take away access (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Remove Bob from the CRM”
`list_groups`	Your groups and their members	read	“Who is in the Sales group?”
`create_group`	A new group	write	“Make a group Volunteers with these emails”
`update_group`	Rename a group	write	“Rename Sales to Sales EU”
`delete_group`	Delete a group (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Delete the old Interns group”
`add_group_members`	Add people to a group	write	“Add cy@example.com to Sales”
`remove_group_member`	Remove someone from a group (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Take Bob out of Sales”

Forms

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_forms`	Your forms with their public links	read	“Which forms do I have?”
`get_form`	A form's questions, lists and public URL	read	“What does the signup form ask?”
`create_form`	A public form, planned and built by AI	write	“Make a signup form for the open day”
`list_form_submissions`	The latest submissions	read	“Who signed up today?”
`set_form_enabled`	Turn a form on or off	write	“Close the signup form”

Automations & apps

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_automations`	Your integrations and workflows	read	“Which automations are on?”
`create_automation`	A link to the builder with your request	write	“Mail me the open tasks every Monday”
`set_automation_enabled`	Switch an automation on or off	write	“Pause the Slack notification”
`run_automation`	Run an automation now	write	“Run the weekly report now”
`list_applications`	Your applications and their links	read	“Which apps did I build?”
`create_application`	A link to the app builder with your request	write	“Build a portal where volunteers pick shifts”

Webhooks

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`list_webhooks`	Your row-change webhooks	read	“Which webhooks are set up?”
`create_webhook`	Send row changes to a URL	write	“Post new orders to https://hooks.example.com/orders”
`get_webhook`	One webhook and its last deliveries	read	“Did the orders webhook deliver today?”
`test_webhook`	Send a test ping now	write	“Test the orders webhook”
`update_webhook`	Change its events or URL, switch it on or off	write	“Also send updated rows to the orders webhook”
`delete_webhook`	Remove a webhook (asks for confirm)	write · confirm	“Remove the old orders webhook”

List locks

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`lock_lists`	Lock lists for a read-modify-write: nobody else writes to them until you release (write exclusion, not a transaction)	write	“Move 2 chairs from Warehouse to Orders without anyone changing the stock meanwhile”
`get_lock`	A lock's status; waits until a queued lock is held	read	“Is my lock on Warehouse granted yet?”
`extend_lock`	Keep holding a lock a little longer	write	“Keep the lock on the ledger for another 30 seconds”
`release_lock`	End a lock (always, when done)	write	“Release the lock on Warehouse and Orders”

Help

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`explain_item`	How an automation, form, app or view template works	read	“Why is my Telegram integration off?”
`contact_support`	File a ticket with the Flexlists team	write	“Report to support that my import fails”

Email

Tool	What it does	Access	Try
`send_email`	Send an email from the workspace (WorkflowEmail): held / sent / skipped by the plan	write	“Email ann@example.com that her order ships today”

Filters

search_rows, count_rows and aggregate_rows take where, the same syntax as the REST API's row search: field name → value (equals), or { "op": …, "value": … } with eq, neq, contains, gt, gte, lt, lte, empty, notEmpty. All conditions must hold. query searches the text fields.

Example arguments of search_rows

{
  "listId": 1234,
  "where": {
    "Status": "Open",
    "Due": {
      "op": "lt",
      "value": "2025-01-31"
    }
  },
  "sort": "Due",
  "limit": 50
}

Pagination

At most 200 rows per call. When a result has a nextCursor, the agent asks again with cursor for the next page. Every result stays under 1 MB: a page with very long texts comes back shorter, with a note, and continues with the cursor.

Files

attach_file_to_row takes a public http(s) URL (Flexlists downloads it, up to 25 MB; private and internal addresses are refused) or base64 content up to 5 MB. get_file returns download links that work for one hour — the bytes never go through the chat. Spreadsheets (CSV, XLSX) are read and imported on the server from a URL or a file already in Flexlists.

Relations

A Link to another list (LinkedRecord) comes back as [{ "id": 12, "label": "Acme" }]. To set one, give row ids, { "id": 12 } or labels ("Acme", matched in the linked list); link_rows adds or removes links of one row. A link is always two-way: add_field with type LinkedRecord also makes the field on the other list. An old relation (Lookup) field comes back as { "id": 12, "label": "Acme" }. get_list_schema shows which list a relation points to.

add_rollup_field (a sum, average, count, … of a field of the linked rows, optionally only rows that match a filter), add_count_field and add_lookup_through_link_field add computed fields through a link. Flexlists keeps them up to date; they are read only (readOnly: true and computed in get_list_schema).

Field types

add_field and create_list take every field type of Flexlists (any case; common words such as “checkbox”, “currency” or “stars” are understood, an unknown type is an error). Read-only types are filled in by Flexlists: a value sent for one is refused.

`Text`	short text: names, titles, handles, codes
`LongText`	notes, descriptions, bios, comments (several lines)
`Markdown`	formatted text (markdown)
`HTML`	HTML text
`Link`	a web address (URL): website, profile link, source post
`Email`	an e-mail address (checked, opens a mail)
`Phone`	a phone / mobile / WhatsApp number (checked, opens a call)
`Barcode`	a barcode / QR code: EAN, SKU code, ticket code (shown as a barcode)
`Integer`	whole numbers: counts, quantities, stock, scores
`Decimal`	numbers with decimals: measurements, weights
`Money`	amounts of money: price, cost, revenue, budget
`Percentage`	percentages: discount, progress, rate
`Rating`	a rating of 1 to N stars ("max", default 5): rating, stars, review score
`Duration`	a length of time: duration, time spent, run time (shown as 1:20 / "1h 20m")
`Autonumber`	a number Flexlists gives each new row: ticket number, invoice number, order no. (read only) — read only
`Formula`	computed from the row's own fields (read only) — read only
`Boolean`	yes / no, a checkbox: done, paid, contacted, answered, in stock
`Choice`	ONE of a fixed set: status, stage, category, priority, type
`MultiChoice`	SEVERAL of a fixed set: tags, labels, skills
`Date`	a day: date added, due date, birthday, launch date
`Time`	a time of day
`DateTime`	a moment: a date with a time, a timestamp
`CreatedTime`	when the row was made, filled in by Flexlists (read only): created, date added (automatic) — read only
`ModifiedTime`	when the row was last changed, filled in by Flexlists (read only) — read only
`CreatedBy`	who made the row, filled in by Flexlists (read only) — read only
`ModifiedBy`	who last changed the row, filled in by Flexlists (read only) — read only
`Image`	pictures, photos, logos
`File`	documents, attachments
`Color`	a colour
`User`	a person of the workspace: assignee, owner, responsible
`Lookup`	ONE row of another list (a Link to another list that links one row)
`LinkedRecord`	rows of ANOTHER list, two-way ("Link to another list")
`Rollup`	a total over linked rows: sum / average / min / max of a field of the rows a Link links (read only) — read only
`Count`	the number of linked rows (read only) — read only
`LinkedLookup`	the values of a field of the linked rows (read only) — read only
`Button`	a button on each row that opens a web address ("url", {Field} = the row's value) or runs an automation — read only

Resources and prompts

Resources: flexlists://lists, flexlists://list/{listId}/schema and flexlists://docs/llm — the guide for agents (plain markdown). Prompts: analyze_list, build_tracker (“make me a list for …”), import_data.

5. Permissions & safety

Scope. A key (or OAuth connection) reaches your whole account, one workspace, or specific lists — never more. Lists outside it do not exist for the agent, also not in searches or resources.
Read only. A read-only key sees every tool, but a tool that changes data answers “this key is read-only”.
Your rights. The agent works as you: what you may not do in the app (e.g. change fields of a list you can only edit rows in, or only add rows as AddOnly), it may not do either.
API access configurations. A key of an API access configuration only reaches its own lists, with its permission per list (Read / Add / Edit / Full), its view and its endpoint allowlist — exactly like the REST API.
Destructive tools (delete rows, lists or fields, unshare, delete groups or webhooks) need confirm: true: the agent must name what goes and get your yes first. Deleted rows can be undone in the app.
Revoke a key under Integrations → API keys, and an OAuth connection under Integrations → AI agents (MCP) → Apps connected with OAuth (it is also in the API keys list). It stops at once.
Rate limit: 600 requests per minute per key. Every tool call is logged with its key, tool, result and duration (never your data) — see the usage on the AI agents (MCP) tab.

6. Troubleshooting

401	No key, a wrong or revoked key, or an expired key. A login token of the website does not work: use an API key. OAuth apps sign in again by themselves.
403	The key may not do this: the list is outside its scope, the configuration does not allow it, or the IP address is not on its allowlist.
429	More than 600 requests in a minute: wait the seconds in Retry-After.
Tool not listed	Reload the server in your app (Claude Code: `claude mcp list`; Cursor: Settings → MCP). Some apps only show a limited number of tools, or let you switch tools on and off.
Behind a proxy	Every answer is plain JSON on its POST, so proxies that buffer server-sent events are no problem. A proxy must let the Authorization header through.

Test the connection with the MCP Inspector:

npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector --cli https://flexlists.com/mcp --transport http --header "Authorization: Bearer <your Flexlists API key>" --method tools/list

Or run npx @modelcontextprotocol/inspector, choose “Streamable HTTP”, enter https://flexlists.com/mcp and either an Authorization header or “Open Auth Settings” → Quick OAuth Flow.

More: the REST API reference · the guide for agents (markdown) · Integrations → AI agents (MCP)