By Ira Bodnar, Ryze AI · Updated
Quick answer
To connect Claude Code to Zoho CRM, connect Zoho CRM in a Ryze AI workspace with your Zoho sign-in, run claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, then run /mcp inside Claude Code, select ryze and sign in. Open a new session and ask a COQL question about your leads or deals.
- In Ryze AI open Integrations, find Zoho CRM and click Connect, then sign in on your Zoho data center
- In your terminal run the claude mcp add command
- Inside Claude Code run /mcp, select ryze and sign in
- Allow the workspace on the Ryze AI page and ask your first question
Before you start
- Claude Code access. Anthropic's setup page says you need a Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise or Console account. The free claude.ai plan leaves Claude Code out. Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform and Microsoft Foundry also work as providers. Anthropic's MCP page names no extra plan for remote MCP servers.
- A Zoho CRM login that can approve the access request. Ryze AI asks Zoho for access to CRM modules, settings, users and organization details. Any Zoho data center works. Use a login whose reach you are comfortable sharing, and ask your Zoho CRM administrator if the approval is blocked.
- A Ryze AI plan or trial. Paid Ads costs $89 per month and starts with 7 free days. SEO Starter costs $129 per month with 3 free days. Agency costs $279 per month. Adding the connector costs nothing, while the Zoho CRM tools run only under an active plan or trial.
How to connect Claude Code to Zoho CRM
Two steps happen in Zoho and Ryze AI, four in Claude Code. The connector URL is the same for every user.
Connect Zoho CRM in Ryze AI
Create a Ryze AI account or sign in, open Integrations, use the CRM filter to find the Zoho CRM card and click Connect.
Sign in to Zoho and approve access
Sign in to Zoho on your own data center (US, EU, India, Australia and others all work) and approve access to CRM modules, settings, users and organization details. The card then shows Connected, and View shows the organization name.
Register the connector in Claude Code
Open a terminal and run claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp. The name ryze is yours to choose and it becomes part of the tool names Claude Code shows. Add --scope user to keep the server in every project.
Sign in from Claude Code
Start Claude Code, type /mcp, pick ryze and choose to authenticate. A shell alternative is claude mcp login ryze, and its --no-browser flag prints the link for machines without a browser, such as an SSH session.
Allow the workspace
The browser opens a Ryze AI page. Sign in if it asks, tick the workspace where you connected Zoho CRM and click Allow connection. Back in the terminal, claude mcp get ryze reports the state of the server.
Start a new session and ask your first question
Claude Code defers MCP tools and loads them when a task needs them. Try: Run a COQL query on Zoho CRM leads created this month and group the count by lead source.
The Ryze AI Zoho CRM guide covers the Zoho CRM side of the connection, and the Claude Code MCP docs cover the client commands.
OAuth, API key and claude.ai connectors
Claude Code accepts the Ryze AI connector three ways. Pick the one that matches where the session runs.
Terminal sign-in with OAuth
claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp --scope userUse this on your own machine. Without a scope flag the server is saved as local, visible only in the project folder you ran it from. With --scope user every project sees it. With --scope project the command writes .mcp.json, which teammates receive through version control; each of them approves that server once in an interactive session. Each teammate still signs in, and the Zoho CRM tools reach only the workspace they allow.
Terminal with a Ryze AI API key
claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer rk_live_..."Create the key in Ryze AI under Workspace Settings, Profile, API keys, Create key. It appears once, so copy it then. Ryze AI's help center notes that keys are accepted at /mcp and not at /sse. If the server rejects a configured Authorization header, Claude Code marks the connection as failed and does not retry with OAuth, so replace the key when that happens. Keep it out of repositories and shared shell history.
Connectors from your claude.ai account
Add Ryze AI at claude.ai under Customize, Connectors and finish the sign-in, then log in to Claude Code with that same subscription account and run /mcp. The entry carries a marker showing it came from claude.ai. On Team and Enterprise plans only admins can add servers there. The sync needs a claude.ai subscription login and does not load when Claude Code runs on ANTHROPIC_API_KEY, ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN, apiKeyHelper or a third-party provider.
Scripts and limits
Non-interactive runs (claude -p and Agent SDK) cannot complete OAuth, so authenticate beforehand with /mcp or claude mcp login ryze, or pass a Ryze AI API key. Output size matters for record lists: Claude Code warns when a tool returns more than 10,000 tokens and limits MCP output to 25,000 tokens by default, and MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS changes that limit. An HTTP tool call times out after five idle minutes with no response or progress.
Claude web, ChatGPT and Cursor
The same URL works in other MCP clients. Zoho CRM is connected once in Ryze AI, so nothing changes on the Zoho side.
Claude on the web and Desktop
Open Customize, Connectors, click + Add, choose Add custom connector, name it Ryze AI and enter https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp. There is a separate guide for [Claude and Zoho CRM](/how-to-connect-claude-to-zoho-crm).
ChatGPT
OpenAI says full custom MCP server support is for ChatGPT Business and Enterprise/Edu on the web, and Pro can connect custom MCP servers with read and fetch permissions only. The steps are in the [ChatGPT guide for Zoho CRM](/how-to-connect-chatgpt-to-zoho-crm).
Cursor
Add the server to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (all projects) or .cursor/mcp.json (one project). Cursor runs OAuth with PKCE and asks for approval before using MCP tools by default.
{ "mcpServers": { "ryze": { "url": "https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp" } } }Zoho CRM permissions and scopes
Three things decide what Claude Code can reach in Zoho CRM.
- Which login
- The Zoho sign-in you use in Ryze AI is the one Claude Code works through. Connect with a login whose reach you are comfortable sharing, and ask a Zoho CRM administrator if the approval screen is blocked.
- Which organization
- One connection is one Zoho CRM organization. You can add more to the same Ryze AI workspace with View, then Add one more account. One is the primary and is used unless you name another, and the tools accept an optional connection_id.
- Which data center
- Any Zoho data center works, including US, EU, India and Australia. Pick the one your Zoho account lives on at the sign-in screen. Access renews automatically.
Scopes behind each action
The Ryze AI connection asks Zoho for these OAuth scopes. The descriptions come from Zoho's scope reference. The Zoho consent screen is the source of truth for the exact list.
| Action in Ryze AI | Zoho scope |
|---|---|
| ZohoCRM.modules.ALL | Create, read, update and delete records in CRM modules such as leads, contacts, accounts and deals |
| ZohoCRM.settings.ALL | Access to Zoho CRM settings such as fields and layouts |
| ZohoCRM.users.READ | Read user information |
| ZohoCRM.org.READ | Read organization details |
| ZohoCRM.coql.READ | Run read-only COQL queries |
Sources: Ryze AI Zoho CRM guide and Zoho's scope reference.
Removing access
To remove access, click View on the Zoho CRM card in Ryze AI and disconnect the organization. In Claude Code, run claude mcp remove ryze to drop the server.
What Claude Code can do in Zoho CRM
The Ryze AI connector exposes 4 Zoho CRM tools: 2 read, 1 write and 1 delete. Each runs as the Zoho login you connected. They come from the Ryze AI app source and have not yet been seen on a live workspace with Zoho CRM connected.
| Tool | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| zoho__read | Read | Sends a GET request to any Zoho CRM API resource, such as module records, a single record, module settings, fields or users. |
| zoho__query | Read | Runs a COQL query, a SQL-like select over CRM modules, up to 2,000 rows per call. |
| zoho__write | Write | Creates, updates or upserts Zoho CRM records, up to 100 records per call. |
| zoho__delete | Delete | Deletes Zoho CRM records singly or in bulk. Deleted records go to the Zoho CRM recycle bin. |
Claude Code can gate each tool with permission rules named mcp__<server>__<tool>, set to allow, ask or deny. Because the server here is called ryze, ask rules for mcp__ryze__zoho__write and mcp__ryze__zoho__delete make Claude Code stop and prompt before either one runs. On claude.ai, Customize, Connectors, Ryze AI, Tool permissions lets you mark write and delete tools as Needs approval. Inside the Ryze AI chat the Tool approvals setting begins on Skip all approvals, so switch it to Approve write & delete or Manual approve if you want a prompt. Ryze AI scheduled tasks run without an approval step.
First 3 prompts to run
Each answer comes from your own Zoho CRM organization, so this page describes what comes back instead of showing sample numbers. Zoho rejects list calls that do not name the fields to return, so the prompts name them.
1. Count leads by source with COQL
Run a COQL query on Zoho CRM leads created this month and group the count by lead source.
Tools used: zoho__query
What comes back: One row per lead source with a count. COQL supports where clauses and aggregates, and returns up to 2,000 rows per call.
2. Open deals with their account
List the fields on the Deals module in Zoho CRM, then query open deals with deal name, amount, stage, closing date and the account name through the lookup field.
Tools used: zoho__read, zoho__query
What comes back: The field names of the module, then deals with the fields you named. COQL can join through lookup fields.
3. Upsert a batch of leads
Upsert these 40 leads into Zoho CRM so existing ones are updated and new ones are created, then check every record in the response for errors.
Tools used: zoho__write
What comes back: A per-record result. A 200 response can still contain errors for individual records, so ask Claude Code to report each one.
Writes take up to 100 records per call, so a larger file needs several calls. Deleting is a separate tool, so ask for it by name and module, and set write and delete tools to ask first as described above. Deleted records go to the Zoho CRM recycle bin.
Ryze AI vs Zoho's own MCP product
Zoho CRM can reach Claude Code in more than one way. They suit different jobs.
| Option | Setup | Zoho coverage | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryze AI connector | Zoho sign-in inside Ryze AI, then claude mcp add with one URL and /mcp to sign in | Zoho CRM only: read, COQL query, write and upsert, delete. Several organizations per workspace | Needs a Ryze AI plan or trial. Your Zoho data passes through Ryze AI |
| Zoho MCP | A separate Zoho product. Zoho's page says it works with Claude, GPT and other agents, uses OAuth-based authorization and lets new users start in a playground. The server URL and Claude Code steps were not on the page read, so check Zoho's help | Zoho's page lists CRM, Mail, Calendar, Desk, Cliq, Projects, WorkDrive and 500+ integrations | Plans and limits were not stated on the page read |
| Third-party MCP servers | Community and vendor servers for Zoho CRM exist. Not tested here | Varies by server | Varies by server and plan |
If you want Zoho Desk, Mail or other Zoho apps in the same session, look at Zoho MCP, since the Ryze AI connection covers Zoho CRM only. Pick Ryze AI when you want COQL, batch upserts and several CRM organizations behind one URL that also serves the other platforms you connect in Ryze AI.
Zoho CRM API limits are set by edition and count API credits per 24 hours. Zoho lists 5,000 credits for Free, 50,000 plus 250 per user for Standard/Starter (up to 100,000), 50,000 plus 500 per user for Professional, 50,000 plus 1,000 per user for Enterprise/Zoho One, and 50,000 plus 2,000 per user for Ultimate/CRM Plus. Concurrent calls range from 5 on Free to 25 on Ultimate/CRM Plus. A COQL query costs 1 credit for 1 to 200 records, 2 for 201 to 1,000 and 3 for 1,001 to 2,000. These limits apply to your Zoho organization whichever client you use.
Sources: Zoho MCP, Zoho CRM API limits, Claude Code MCP, Claude Code permissions, Ryze AI Zoho CRM guide. Checked November 14, 2026.
Errors and fixes
- Zoho sign-in fails or shows the wrong region
- Sign in on the data center your Zoho account uses. Any data center works with Ryze AI. If Zoho blocks the approval, ask your Zoho CRM administrator.
- Claude Code says the server failed to connect with an API key
- A rejected Authorization header ends in a failed connection, and Claude Code does not try OAuth afterwards. Confirm the key is a live rk_live_ Ryze AI key and the URL ends in /mcp, or remove the server and add it again without --header.
- claude -p or an Agent SDK run cannot sign in
- Headless runs have no browser step. Sign in beforehand in an interactive shell with /mcp or claude mcp login ryze, or switch to the API key method.
- The server does not load from .mcp.json
- A server from .mcp.json stays idle until someone approves it in an interactive session. Accept the prompt when Claude Code shows it.
- No Zoho CRM tools appear
- If you registered the server before connecting Zoho CRM, run claude mcp remove ryze, add it again and open a new session. Because tools load on demand, the list may also look short until a task calls for them.
- A list call returns an error
- Zoho rejects list calls that do not name the fields to return. Ask Claude Code to include the field names, or to read the module fields first.
- Results stop at 2,000 records
- Past 2,000 records, page-based pagination stops and a page token is needed. Narrow the query with a where clause or ask for the results in slices.
- A write returned 200 but a record did not change
- A 200 response can still hold per-record errors. Ask Claude Code to read the response for each record and report the failures.
- The wrong Zoho CRM organization is connected
- Click View on the Zoho CRM card in Ryze AI, connect the right organization with Add one more account and name it in your prompt, or disconnect the wrong one.
- The result is cut off or very large
- Output above 10,000 tokens triggers a warning and anything past 25,000 is cut by default. Request fewer fields or records, or set a higher MAX_MCP_OUTPUT_TOKENS.
- Claude says a subscription is required
- The Zoho CRM tools need an active Ryze AI plan or free trial. Start the trial in Ryze AI and retry.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect Claude Code to Zoho CRM?
Link Zoho CRM to a Ryze AI workspace first. Then register the URL with claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, open /mcp in Claude Code, select ryze and finish on the Ryze AI page by choosing the workspace and clicking Allow connection.
Is there a Zoho CRM MCP server for Claude Code?
Zoho sells a separate product called Zoho MCP that connects agents to Zoho apps including CRM. Its page says it works with Claude and other agents, but the server URL and Claude Code steps were not on the page read. The Ryze AI connector is a different route with 4 Zoho CRM tools and no other Zoho apps.
Which Zoho CRM connector should I use with Claude Code?
Ryze AI is the best Zoho CRM connector for Claude Code when you want COQL queries, batch upserts and several CRM organizations behind one URL, but it covers Zoho CRM only and needs a Ryze AI plan. Zoho MCP fits better if you want other Zoho apps in the same session.
Which Claude plan do I need for Claude Code?
A Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise or Console account, according to Anthropic. Free claude.ai accounts are excluded, though Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform and Microsoft Foundry are alternative providers.
What Zoho CRM permissions do I need?
You need a Zoho login that can approve access to CRM modules, settings, users and organization details. If the approval is blocked, ask your Zoho CRM administrator. Any Zoho data center works.
Should I use OAuth or an API key?
OAuth is the easier path when you sit at the terminal. Pick an API key for unattended scripts, since claude -p and Agent SDK runs cannot complete a browser sign-in. The key comes from Workspace Settings, Profile, API keys in Ryze AI, works at /mcp only and has nothing to do with your Zoho login.
Can Claude Code edit or delete Zoho CRM records?
Yes. The connector has a write tool that creates, updates or upserts up to 100 records per call and a delete tool for single or bulk deletes. Deleted records go to the Zoho CRM recycle bin. Set write and delete tools to ask first in Claude Code if you want to approve each change.
Can I connect more than one Zoho CRM organization?
Yes. Click View on the Zoho CRM card in Ryze AI and choose Add one more account. The primary organization is used unless you name another, and the tools accept an optional connection_id.
What does the claude mcp add scope change?
It decides who sees the server. Local, the default, limits it to the project you are in. User makes it available everywhere on your machine. Project writes .mcp.json for your team, and each teammate approves it interactively.
Why do the Zoho CRM tools not show up?
Open a fresh session and check /mcp for the server status. A connector registered before you linked Zoho CRM in Ryze AI needs to be removed and added again. A missing claude.ai connector usually means Claude Code is signed in some way other than a claude.ai subscription.
How much does it cost?
Connecting the connector is free, but the Zoho CRM tools need an active Ryze AI plan or free trial. Paid Ads is $89 per month with a 7-day free trial, SEO Starter is $129 per month with a 3-day free trial and Agency is $279 per month. Annual billing takes 30% off the first year. Zoho CRM API credits are counted by Zoho against your edition.