You can run a Python-based MCP server that interfaces with Clappia to manage apps, forms, submissions, and related data. This MCP server lets you perform programmatic operations like creating apps, adding fields, managing submissions, and retrieving analytics, all through a configurable client workflow.

How to use

Use an MCP client to interact with the Clappia MCP server. You will typically start the local MCP runtime and then issue actions such as creating applications, adding or updating fields, submitting data, and querying submissions or analytics. You can manage access via API keys and workplace identifiers, and you will configure the client to point at the MCP runtime so all requests are properly authenticated and routed.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before starting:

• Python 3.8 or higher
• uv package manager
• Access to Clappia API Key and Workplace ID
• Claude for Desktop (or other MCP clients)

Step by step commands to set up and run the MCP server environment and client integration:

# 1. Set up Clappia API Access
# Replace with your actual values
# - Visit your Workplace in Clappia and obtain Workplace ID
# - Generate or locate your API Key

# 2. Set up Claude for Desktop configuration (MCP integration)

# Download and install Claude for Desktop appropriate for your OS

# Open Claude and configure the MCP server in claude_desktop_config.json as shown below

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "clappia-mcp": {
      "command": "uv",
      "args": [
        "--directory",
        "/Users/<YOUR_DIECTORY>/Desktop/clappia-mcp",
        "run",
        "clappia-mcp.py"
      ],
      "env": {
        "CLAPPIA_API_KEY": "<ENTER_YOUR_WORKPLACE_API_KEY_HERE>",
        "CLAPPIA_WORKPLACE_ID": "<ENTER_YOUR_WORKPLACE_ID_HERE>"
      }
    }
  }
}

#  Restart Claude for Desktop
#  Verify the MCP server is running by checking for the tools icon in the input box

3. Clone the MCP repository

git clone https://github.com/clappia-dev/clappia-mcp.git
cd clappia-mcp

4. Set up Python environment and dependencies

# Install uv if not already installed
curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

# Install dependencies (uses uv)
uv sync

Additional setup and notes

Project structure highlights how the MCP server is organized, including main entry point clappia-mcp.py and modular functionality under tools such as add_field.py, create_app.py, create_submission.py, edit_submission.py, get_definition.py, get_submissions.py, get_submissions_aggregation.py, update_field.py, update_submission_owners.py, and update_submission_status.py.

You will start the server by launching Claude Desktop, which will automatically activate the MCP runtime. Access the available MCP tools through the Claude Desktop interface to perform your operations against Clappia.

Configuration and security

Security is maintained through API key-based authentication, HTTPS communications, and validated inputs. Ensure your API keys and workplace identifiers are stored as environment variables and never hard-coded in client scripts. Implement rate limiting and proper error handling to protect the server and your data.

Configure environment variables on the MCP runtime as shown in the setup snippet, and verify that the values for CLAPPIA_API_KEY and CLAPPIA_WORKPLACE_ID are kept secure and rotated as needed.

Troubleshooting

If the server does not start, check the Claude Desktop logs for errors, ensure the Python environment is activated, confirm that all dependencies are installed, and verify that environment variables are set correctly.

If API connection issues occur, re-check the API credentials and the configured workplace ID, confirm network connectivity, and review any rate-limiting constraints.

For tool execution failures, inspect server logs for detailed error messages, confirm input parameters align with API requirements, and ensure permissions for API operations are correctly set.

Available tools

create_app

Create a new Clappia app with sections and fields.

add_field_to_app

Add a new field to an existing app and manage field properties.

update_field_in_app

Update an existing field's properties, including validation and display conditions.

create_app_submission

Create a new submission for an app with provided data.

get_app_submissions

Retrieve submissions for an app with filtering and pagination.

get_submissions_aggregation

Get analytics aggregations for submissions with customizable dimensions.

update_submission_status

Update the status of a submission with optional comments.

update_submission_owners

Manage submission owners via email-based assignments.

get_definition

Retrieve detailed app definitions and field metadata.