Document & File Management · Cradl AI + Claude
Cradl AI MCP with Claude: Turn Invoices and Forms Into Structured Data
The short answer
Claude connects to Cradl AI through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), a secure standard that lets Claude use software with permissions you control. Once connected, Claude can upload documents, run extraction workflows, review results and check processing status when you ask in everyday language, while your team approves important actions.
What is Cradl AI?
Cradl AI is an API-first platform for AI-powered document extraction. It turns invoices, forms and PDF files into structured data that other systems can use. Finance teams, operations staff, accounts payable clerks and developers building document-heavy applications typically use it to handle large volumes of paperwork without manual data entry. Because it is designed around an API, it fits into existing business systems rather than replacing them.
How Claude connects to Cradl AI through MCP
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that works like a universal adapter between Claude and other software. It lets Claude read information from a tool and take actions in it, using access that your organisation sets and can withdraw at any time. Nothing is shared beyond what you permit.
Once Cradl AI is connected, Claude can typically help you upload new documents, start an extraction workflow, look at the fields pulled from a file and summarise processing status. You can ask questions such as which batch of invoices is still waiting, and Claude can answer from the platform's records rather than from memory.
Permissions and approvals keep people in charge. Access is limited to the minimum needed for each task, and sign-in uses the server-to-server OAuth 2.0 method that Cradl AI supports. Actions that change records or send data onward can require a person to confirm first, and every step can be logged for audit.
What you can automate
Supplier invoice intake
Accounts payable staff upload a folder of supplier invoices and ask Claude to run the right extraction workflow. Claude reports which invoices were processed, flags any with missing totals or unclear tax fields, and lists them for a person to review before the data moves to the ledger.
Onboarding form processing
HR or customer onboarding teams receive application forms as PDFs. Claude can start extraction on each batch, check the results against expected fields and report which forms need manual attention, helping new starters or customers get set up faster.
Processing status checks
Operations managers often need to know whether overnight document jobs finished. Instead of logging into a dashboard, they can ask Claude for a plain summary of completed, pending and failed items, and request a list of the failures for follow-up.
Quality review of extracted data
Before extracted records are used, a reviewer can ask Claude to compare the structured output with the source summary, highlight low-confidence entries and group similar errors. This shortens review time while the reviewer keeps the final decision.
Compliance document sorting
Legal and compliance teams handling contracts or certificates can use Claude to upload documents, run the appropriate workflow and confirm which files produced complete data, so that records are ready for retention or audit checks.
An end-to-end workflow: Invoice to accounts payable approval
TriggerA finance clerk emails a batch of supplier invoices to a shared mailbox, and asks Claude to process the batch each morning.
Claude uploads the invoice files to Cradl AI through the connected account.
Claude runs the invoice extraction workflow and waits for processing to complete.
Claude reviews the structured results and flags invoices with missing or unusual fields.
Claude creates a summary and a review task in Microsoft 365 for the finance team.
Approved records are passed to the ERP system, and any rejected items are routed to a person for correction.
Each action is written to an audit log for the finance controller.
OutcomeTypical outcomes include faster invoice processing, fewer manual keying errors and clearer visibility of what is waiting for approval. Results depend on document quality and how your workflows are configured.
How we set it up
Free automation audit
We review your current document handling and identify the invoice, form or PDF workflows worth automating. You receive a short written recommendation at no cost.
Secure connection
We connect Claude to Cradl AI using the server-to-server OAuth 2.0 sign-in method the platform supports, with least-privilege access limited to the tasks you approve.
Workflow design
We design the end-to-end process across Cradl AI and your other systems such as Microsoft 365, CRM, ERP or ticketing, deciding which actions need human approval.
Testing with real documents
We test the workflow against past documents from your own archive, measure accuracy and adjust the extraction and review steps before anything goes live.
Launch, monitoring and training
We launch with monitoring and audit logs in place, then train your team on how to use Claude with Cradl AI day to day.
Who benefits
- Finance and accounts payable managers
- Faster invoice intake with clear review queues and a record of every action taken.
- Operations leaders
- Plain-language status updates on document jobs without switching between dashboards.
- IT and integration teams
- A secure, API-based connection that fits into existing systems and access controls.
- HR and onboarding coordinators
- Quicker processing of application and onboarding forms with fewer manual checks.
Security and control
- Least-privilege access, so Claude only reaches the documents and actions each workflow needs.
- Human approval for any step that changes financial, legal or personal records.
- Audit logs of uploads, extractions and approvals for internal and external review.
- Testing on real documents before launch, with accuracy checked by your own staff.
- Clear rules on which data is sent and where it is hosted, agreed before setup.
For teams in the US, UK, India and the Middle East
Organisations in the United States and the United Kingdom can align the workflow with their own data protection and record retention rules. In India, we design around the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, including consent and purpose limits. For the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we account for local data protection laws on personal and financial information. We choose the hosting region for your custom applications, whether India, the United States, the United Kingdom or the European Union, to meet your specific requirements.
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 Cradl AI MCP server do?
The MCP server lets Claude connect to Cradl AI in a controlled way. Through it, Claude can typically upload documents, run extraction workflows, review results and check processing status when asked. It acts as a secure bridge, so your team can work with the platform in plain language instead of navigating every screen.
Is connecting Claude to Cradl AI secure?
Security depends on how it is set up. We use the server-to-server OAuth 2.0 sign-in method that Cradl AI supports, give Claude only the access each task needs, require approval for important actions and keep audit logs. We also agree data handling and hosting rules before any connection goes live.
What can Claude do with Cradl AI once connected?
Typically Claude can help start extraction on new files, look at the structured data produced, identify failed or incomplete items and summarise job progress. It can also prepare review tasks for your staff. Final decisions on sensitive records remain with your people unless you choose otherwise.
How long does setup take?
Timelines vary with the number of document types and the systems involved. A focused invoice or form workflow often takes a few weeks from the free audit to launch, including testing on your real documents. More complex, multi-system workflows take longer. We confirm the timeline during the audit.
What plan or permissions do I need?
You need an active Cradl AI account with API access and the permissions to create the credentials used for server-to-server sign-in. Because plan details vary, we confirm exactly what your account supports during the free audit, and we set access to the minimum your workflows require.