Workflow Automation · Apilio + Claude
Apilio MCP with Claude: Control Smart Devices and Automations in Plain Language
The short answer
Claude works with Apilio through the Model Context Protocol, a secure standard that acts as a universal adapter. Once connected, Claude can trigger automations, control smart devices, monitor their states and update variables from natural language requests, within permissions your organisation sets.
What is Apilio?
Apilio is a home automation platform that connects and controls smart devices from different brands in one place. It lets users build flexible automations with complex conditions, schedules and integrations. Property managers, facilities teams, smart building operators and technology integrators typically use it to run devices reliably across sites without relying on separate apps for each brand.
How Claude connects to Apilio through MCP
The Model Context Protocol, or MCP, is an open standard that lets Claude use other software securely. Think of it as a universal adapter between Claude and a tool. Apilio supports connection through an MCP server or a direct API, using API key or Basic sign-in methods, so your team chooses the approach that fits its security rules.
Once connected, Claude can typically read information such as device states and automation status, and take actions such as triggering an automation, adjusting a device or updating a variable. Requests can be made in ordinary language, for example asking Claude to check whether the lobby lights are on after hours.
Permissions and approvals keep people in charge. Access is limited to what each workflow needs, and consequential actions such as changes to building systems can require a person to approve them first. Every action can be logged, so your team can see what Claude did and when.
What you can automate
After-hours building checks
Claude can review device states at the end of the day and report anything left running, such as lights, heating or access points. Facilities staff receive a short summary and can approve a shutdown with one reply, reducing wasted energy and manual rounds.
Natural language device control
Staff can ask Claude to adjust a room, turn on equipment or trigger a scene without learning each brand's app. This suits reception teams, meeting room coordinators and site managers who need quick changes across several devices.
Alerts for unusual device states
Claude can monitor selected states and flag problems, such as a sensor reporting an open door outside working hours. The alert goes to the right technician with the context they need to act quickly.
Scheduled automation reviews
Operations leads can ask Claude to summarise which automations ran, which failed and which conditions were triggered over a week. This helps refine schedules and spot patterns that point to faulty devices.
Variable updates for seasonal changes
When opening hours or occupancy rules change, Claude can update the relevant variables in Apilio after a manager approves the change. This keeps automations aligned with real operations without rebuilding them.
An end-to-end workflow: Evening shutdown for a multi-site office portfolio
TriggerEach evening at 19:00 local time, or when a facilities manager asks in chat.
Claude reads the current states of lighting, heating and access devices at each site through Apilio.
Claude compares those states against the site's closing rules held in Microsoft 365.
Claude creates a summary listing devices still active and any exceptions, such as staff working late.
The facilities manager reviews the summary and approves or edits the proposed shutdown.
Claude triggers the approved automations in Apilio and records the actions.
Claude logs the outcome in the team's ticketing system for any device that failed to respond.
OutcomeTypically, teams spend less time on manual building checks, energy waste falls at quiet sites, and exceptions are documented for follow-up.
How we set it up
Free automation audit
We review how your buildings and teams use Apilio today and identify the workflows worth automating first, at no cost.
Secure connection
We connect Claude to Apilio using an API key or Basic sign-in, with the least access each workflow needs. Credentials are stored securely and never shared in chat.
Workflow design
We design the end-to-end process across Apilio and your other systems, such as Microsoft 365, your CRM or ticketing tool, and define which actions need human approval.
Testing with real cases
We test the workflow against past events and real device states, then adjust conditions and approvals based on what we find.
Launch, monitoring and training
We launch with audit logs and monitoring in place, then train your team on making requests and reviewing outcomes.
Who benefits
- Facilities manager
- Checks and adjusts building systems in plain language, with approval before consequential changes.
- Property portfolio director
- Gets consistent reporting on device states and automation performance across many sites.
- IT or operations head
- Controls access through API keys or Basic sign-in with clear logs of every action taken.
- Smart building integrator
- Reuses one secure connection pattern across client sites instead of building one-off scripts.
Security and control
- Least-privilege access so Claude only reaches the devices and actions a workflow needs.
- Human approval before changes to building systems, schedules or variables.
- Audit logs of every trigger, state check and variable update.
- Secure storage of API keys and Basic credentials, with regular rotation.
- Testing in a non-live environment before any automation affects real buildings.
For teams in the US, UK, India and the Middle East
Organisations in the United States and the United Kingdom can host Claude in those regions to align with local data handling expectations. Businesses in India must meet the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and we can host in India for that reason. Organisations in the UAE and Saudi Arabia must follow their local data protection laws, and we select a hosting region that meets those requirements. Hosting location is always chosen to match your legal obligations.
Learn more about Claude and MCP
Anthropic's AI model and assistant.
Secure links between Claude and business tools.
How engineers build and change software with Claude.
Hosted agents that run multi-step work.
The open standard Claude uses to connect to tools.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Apilio MCP server do?
The Apilio MCP server acts as a secure bridge between Claude and your Apilio account. It lets Claude read device states, trigger automations, control devices and update variables, using the permissions you grant. It is a practical way to use natural language with your existing Apilio setup without changing how devices are installed.
Is connecting Apilio to Claude secure?
Security depends on how the connection is configured. We use API key or Basic sign-in, grant least-privilege access, store credentials securely and log every action. Consequential changes can require human approval. We can also test the setup before it touches live buildings, though no connection can guarantee complete protection on its own.
What can Claude do with Apilio once connected?
Typically, Claude can check device and automation states, trigger existing automations, adjust devices and update variables when asked. It can also summarise activity and flag unusual states. Claude works within the access you set, so the exact capabilities depend on your Apilio configuration and your approved workflow design.
How long does setup take?
Timelines vary with the number of devices, sites and systems involved. A focused single-site workflow often takes a few weeks from the free audit to launch, including testing and training. Multi-site portfolios with several integrations usually take longer. We confirm a realistic timeline during the audit.
Which plan or permissions do I need?
You need an Apilio account with API access, and the permissions to create the API key or Basic credentials we will use. The exact requirements depend on your Apilio arrangement and the actions you want Claude to perform, so we check these during the free audit before any work begins.