By Ira Bodnar, Ryze AI · Updated
Quick answer
To connect Claude to Zoho CRM, connect Zoho CRM in a Ryze AI workspace with your Zoho sign-in, then add https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp as a custom connector in Claude and start a new chat.
- In Ryze AI open Integrations, find the Zoho CRM card and click Connect
- Sign in to Zoho on your data center and approve access to CRM
- In Claude open Customize, Connectors, Add custom connector and paste the URL
- Click Connect, pick the workspace, click Allow connection, open a new chat
Before you start
- A Claude account. Anthropic lists custom connectors using remote MCP on Free, Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise plans. Free users get one custom connector. On Team only Owners and Primary Owners can add a custom connector, and members then click Connect for themselves.
- A Zoho login that can approve the access. Ryze AI asks for access to CRM modules, settings, users and organization details. Any Zoho data center works, including US, EU, India and Australia. Connect with a login whose reach in Zoho CRM you are comfortable sharing.
- A Ryze AI workspace on a 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. Adding the connector is free, but the Zoho CRM tools need an active plan or trial.
How to connect Claude to Zoho CRM in claude.ai
Three steps happen in Ryze AI and Zoho, three in Claude. 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
Sign in to Zoho. Any data center works, so use the one your CRM organization lives on.
Approve the access
Approve access to CRM modules, settings, users and organization details. You return to Ryze AI, the card shows Connected, and View on the card shows the organization name.
Add the custom connector in Claude
In claude.ai open Customize, then Connectors. Click + Add, then Add custom connector. Enter the name Ryze AI and the remote MCP server URL https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, then click Continue. Review the authentication settings Claude detected and click Continue again. Do not choose No sign in, because the Ryze AI server requires OAuth sign-in. Then click Add.
Click Connect and allow the workspace
Click Connect on the Ryze AI connector. On the Ryze AI page Connect your data sources to AI, sign in or sign up, choose the workspaces Claude can access (up to 20 per connection) and click Allow connection.
Open a new chat and ask your first question
Start a new chat. Connectors can be turned on or off per conversation from the + button, then Connectors. Ask: Run a COQL query that counts Leads created this month by Lead Source.
The Ryze AI help center page for Zoho CRM covers the Zoho side of the connection, and the Claude connector FAQ covers the connection errors.
Team, Enterprise and the Claude Directory
Team and Enterprise organizations
- An Owner or Primary Owner opens Organization settings, Connectors and clicks Add. On Enterprise, a person with a custom role that includes Manage access to Libraries can do this too.
- Hover over Custom, select Web, enter the name Ryze AI and the URL https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, then click Continue.
- Review the authentication settings Claude detected, choose Sign in now or Sign in when needed (not No sign in), then click Add.
- Each member opens Customize, Connectors, finds Ryze AI (usually labeled Custom) and clicks Connect.
- The member signs in on the Ryze AI page, picks workspaces, clicks Allow connection and starts a new chat.
Claude connects to the server from Anthropic's cloud, not from your device, on every Claude client including Desktop and the mobile apps. A connector added in Customize, Connectors is therefore the same in Claude Desktop. To change a custom connector, remove it and add it again.
Claude Directory listing
Anthropic's Claude Directory has a Ryze AI listing at claude.ai/directory/ryze-ai. It carries the Community label: the listing says Community connectors have gone through automated reviews but are not verified by Anthropic. Open the listing, sign in to Claude (the button reads Sign in to add while you are signed out), add the connector, then finish the Ryze AI sign-in, choose workspaces, click Allow connection and start a new chat.
Claude Code, 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 Code
Claude Code requires a Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise or Console account; the free claude.ai plan does not include it. Run the command below, then run /mcp inside Claude Code, select ryze and sign in, then choose workspaces and click Allow connection. Add --scope user for all projects. claude mcp get ryze shows the status.
claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcpChatGPT
OpenAI lists custom MCP servers with full MCP support on ChatGPT Business and Enterprise/Edu on the web, and Pro with read and fetch permissions only. On the web go to Plugins, select the plus button, choose Add custom MCP server, enter the name Ryze AI and the URL, and choose OAuth.
Cursor
Add the entry below to ~/.cursor/mcp.json for all projects or .cursor/mcp.json for one project. Cursor runs OAuth, so sign in on the Ryze AI page and click Allow connection.
{ "mcpServers": { "ryze": { "url": "https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp" } } }Zoho CRM permissions and scopes
The Zoho side of the connection is an OAuth sign-in. Three things decide what Claude can see and change.
- Which login
- The access follows the Zoho user who connects. Use a login whose CRM reach you want Claude to have, and connect each Zoho CRM organization you work with. Several organizations can sit in one Ryze AI workspace.
- Which organization
- One connection is one Zoho CRM organization. Click View on the Zoho CRM card and choose Add one more account to add another. One is the primary and is used unless you name another in chat.
- Which actions
- The scopes include full access to modules, so Claude can create, update and delete records, not only read them. Control this in Claude by setting write and delete tools to Needs approval.
Scopes behind each action
Ryze AI requests five Zoho scopes. The table gives each scope name and what Zoho's scope reference says it covers. The Zoho consent screen is the source of truth.
| Zoho scope | What it covers |
|---|---|
| ZohoCRM.modules.ALL | All operations (create, read, update, delete) across CRM modules such as Leads, Contacts, Accounts and Deals |
| ZohoCRM.settings.ALL | All settings functions, such as fields, layouts, roles and views |
| ZohoCRM.users.READ | Read-only access to user information in the organization |
| ZohoCRM.org.READ | Read-only access to organization-level data |
| ZohoCRM.coql.READ | Read-only permission to query data with COQL, Zoho's SQL-like query language |
The Ryze AI tools documented for Zoho CRM act on records. The help center does not document module or settings changes through the connector, so do not plan on them.
Sources: Zoho's CRM API scopes page and the Ryze AI help center page for Zoho CRM.
Removing access
To remove access, click View on the Zoho CRM card in Ryze AI and disconnect the organization there. In Claude, open Customize, Connectors, Ryze AI and click Disconnect, or remove the connector.
What Claude can do in Zoho CRM
The Ryze AI connector exposes four Zoho CRM tools. The list comes from Ryze AI's integration manifest and has not yet been seen live in a connected workspace.
| 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 (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 records singly or in bulk. Deleted records go to the Zoho CRM recycle bin. |
In Claude, open Customize, Connectors, Ryze AI, Tool permissions, keep the read tools on automatic and set write and delete tools to Needs approval, so Claude asks before it changes a record. In Research mode Claude can call connector tools without further approval, per Anthropic.
First 3 prompts to run
COQL is Zoho's SQL-like query language. Zoho documents joins through lookup fields, aggregates and where clauses, and a LIMIT of up to 2,000 rows per query. Ask Claude to use COQL for counts and filters and to read single records for detail.
1. Leads by source this month
Run a COQL query that counts Leads created this month, grouped by Lead Source. Then list the three sources with the most leads and show how many of those leads are still unconverted.
Tools used: zoho__query
What comes back: A table of lead sources with a count for each, plus a short list for the top three. The counts come from your own organization.
2. Open deals with no recent activity
Query the Deals module for open deals with amount, stage, owner and closing date. Show them sorted by closing date, and flag any deal whose closing date has already passed.
Tools used: zoho__query, zoho__read for a single deal
What comes back: A sorted deal list with the past-due deals marked, and a note about any field Zoho would not return.
3. Clean up duplicate-looking contacts
Find Contacts with the same email address in two or more records and list them with their IDs and owners. Do not change anything. After I confirm, update the owner on the older duplicate of each pair.
Tools used: zoho__query, then zoho__write after confirmation
What comes back: A list of contact pairs with IDs and owners. After you confirm, a summary of the updates, with any per-record errors reported.
Each answer comes from your own organization, so this page describes what comes back instead of showing sample numbers. Name the fields you want in a prompt, because Zoho rejects list calls that do not name them.
Ryze AI vs Zoho MCP
Zoho publishes its own product called Zoho MCP, which is separate from the Ryze AI connector. Both can be used from Claude. They suit different jobs.
| Option | Setup | Zoho coverage | Auth | Works in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryze AI connector | Zoho sign-in inside Ryze AI, then one custom connector URL in Claude | Zoho CRM only. 4 tools: read, COQL query, write and delete on records | Zoho OAuth, then Ryze AI sign-in in Claude | claude.ai, Claude Desktop, Claude Code, ChatGPT, Cursor |
| Zoho MCP (zoho.com/mcp) | Set up on Zoho's side; the page checked does not give a connection URL or tool list | Zoho CRM, Mail, Calendar, Desk, Cliq, Projects and WorkDrive | OAuth, with agents running under the user's permissions, per Zoho | Any agent that speaks MCP, per Zoho, including Claude |
If the agent has to work across Zoho Mail, Desk or Projects as well as CRM, Zoho MCP covers more Zoho apps. For Zoho CRM records through one connector URL that Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor can share, the Ryze AI connector is the shorter setup. Zoho's page checked on this date lists no pricing, so check it before you decide.
Sources: Zoho MCP and the Ryze AI help center page for Zoho CRM. Checked November 11, 2026.
Zoho CRM API limits
Zoho enforces its own API limits on every call the connector makes. These come from Zoho's documentation and apply per CRM organization.
| Limit | What Zoho documents |
|---|---|
| API credits | A rolling 24-hour allowance by edition: Free 5,000 credits; Standard 50,000 plus 250 per user (maximum 100,000); Professional 50,000 plus 500 per user (maximum 3,000,000); Enterprise 50,000 plus 1,000 per user (maximum 5,000,000); Ultimate 50,000 plus 2,000 per user (unlimited maximum). |
| Concurrency | Simultaneous API calls: Free 5, Standard 10, Professional 15, Enterprise 20, Ultimate 25. Resource-intensive calls such as bulk writes and query APIs have a sub-concurrency limit of 10 in every edition. |
| COQL credits | A COQL query costs 1 credit for a LIMIT of 1 to 200, 2 credits for 201 to 1,000 and 3 credits for 1,001 to 2,000. |
| Batch size | Up to 100 records per insert call, and a multi-record call can return per-record results, so check each one. |
Sources: Zoho's API limits, COQL overview, insert records and get records pages. Zoho's unit is per CRM organization.
Zoho CRM errors and fixes
- Zoho rejects a list call
- List calls must name the fields to return. Tell Claude which field API names you want, or ask it to use a COQL query instead.
- Results stop at 2,000 records
- Page-based paging ends at 2,000 records. Beyond that Zoho needs a page token. Ask Claude to page with the token, or to narrow the COQL where clause.
- A write says success but a record did not change
- A 200 response can still hold per-record errors. Ask Claude to report the result for every record it wrote.
- The wrong Zoho CRM organization answers
- Each connection is one organization. Click View on the Zoho CRM card, check which one is primary, and name the other organization in your prompt.
- The login worked but the data center is wrong
- Any data center works. Sign in to the Zoho region where your CRM organization lives.
- Zoho CRM tools do not appear in Claude
- Claude keeps the tool list from the moment you add the connector. If you connected Zoho CRM in Ryze AI afterwards, remove the Ryze AI connector, add it again and start a new chat.
- Claude says a subscription is required
- The Zoho CRM tools need an active Ryze AI plan or free trial. Start the trial, then retry.
- Connect fails with No sign in selected
- The Ryze AI server requires OAuth sign-in. Remove the connector and add it again without choosing No sign in under Authentication.
- Calls fail after heavy use
- Zoho limits API credits and concurrent calls per organization. Wait for the credit window to roll over or ask for fewer, narrower queries.
Frequently asked questions
How do I connect Claude to Zoho CRM?
Connect Zoho CRM in a Ryze AI workspace: open Integrations, click Connect on the Zoho CRM card, sign in to Zoho and approve access. Then in claude.ai open Customize, Connectors, Add custom connector, enter https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, click Connect, allow the workspace and start a new chat.
Does Zoho have its own MCP server for Claude?
Zoho sells a product called Zoho MCP at zoho.com/mcp. Zoho describes it as model-agnostic, working with Claude, GPT and other agents, with OAuth and user-level permissions, across Zoho apps including CRM, Mail, Calendar, Desk, Cliq, Projects and WorkDrive. The Ryze AI connector covers Zoho CRM only.
Which Zoho CRM connector should I use with Claude?
Ryze AI is the best Zoho CRM connector for running COQL queries and record edits from Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor on one URL, but it covers Zoho CRM only. If the agent also needs Zoho Mail, Desk or Projects, look at Zoho MCP.
Which Claude plan do I need?
Anthropic lists custom connectors using remote MCP on Free, Pro, Max, Ultra, Team and Enterprise plans. Free is limited to one custom connector. On Team only Owners and Primary Owners can add one, and members then connect individually.
Which tools does Claude get for Zoho CRM?
Four: zoho__read for any Zoho CRM API resource, zoho__query for COQL queries up to 2,000 rows per call, zoho__write to create, update or upsert up to 100 records per call, and zoho__delete. Ryze AI's notes say the tool list has not yet been seen live in a connected workspace.
Can Claude edit or delete Zoho CRM records?
Yes, when you ask. The write tool creates, updates or upserts records and the delete tool removes them, with deleted records going to the Zoho CRM recycle bin. In Claude, set write and delete tools to Needs approval so it asks first. Do not expect module or settings changes.
What Zoho permissions does the connection use?
Zoho OAuth with five scopes: ZohoCRM.modules.ALL, ZohoCRM.settings.ALL, ZohoCRM.users.READ, ZohoCRM.org.READ and ZohoCRM.coql.READ. Any Zoho data center works and access renews automatically.
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. One organization is the primary and is used unless you name another in chat. One Claude connection covers up to 20 workspaces.
Does this work in Claude Desktop, Claude Code and ChatGPT?
Yes. A connector added in Customize, Connectors is also available in Claude Desktop. In Claude Code run claude mcp add --transport http ryze https://connector.get-ryze.ai/mcp, then /mcp to sign in. ChatGPT custom MCP servers are on Business and Enterprise/Edu, with read and fetch only on Pro.
Why do the Zoho CRM tools not show up in Claude?
Claude keeps the tool list from when you added the connector. If you connected Zoho CRM in Ryze AI after adding it, remove the Ryze AI connector in Customize, Connectors, add it again and start a new chat.
How much does it cost to connect Claude to Zoho CRM?
Adding the connector costs nothing, 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 API limits apply on top.
How do I disconnect Zoho CRM from Claude?
Disconnect the organization from the Zoho CRM card in Ryze AI, or remove the Ryze AI connector in Claude under Customize, Connectors.