Getting started with Zoho MCP for Bigin

Overview

Zoho MCP (Model Context Protocol) introduces a method of interaction with Bigin using AI. Instead of depending on traditional APIs or manual data retrieval, Zoho MCP allows MCP clients (AI tools) such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini CLI, VS Code and others to securely integrate with your Bigin data and tools. With this integration, MCP client can fetch record information, trigger workflows, applying complex filtering beyond UI capabilities, and help automate repetitive tasks, all while adhering to Bigin's built-in permissions and security.

This section walks you through everything you need to know to begin using Zoho MCP with Bigin.

What is Zoho MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open source standard that allows applications to establish a connection with Large Language Models (LLMs). Through MCP, an AI tool (MCP Client) can request tools, data, and actions from a server in a structured and secure manner.

Zoho MCP is Zoho's implementation of this protocol. It is designed to provide controlled and secure access to data across Zoho and third-party applications. With Zoho MCP, you can create an MCP server and connect it to your MCP client. This allows you to give natural language instructions to automate tasks across Zoho products and supported third-party services.

For example, if you are accessing Bigin and want to review your open deals, you can simply ask your AI tool:

`Show me all open deals in Bigin and highlight anything that needs immediate attention.`

The AI tool retrieves the data securely through Zoho MCP and presents the information without you manually navigating through multiple screens.

Zoho MCP can also coordinate cross app workflows. Suppose your team manages deal progress in Bigin, project execution in Zoho Projects, and project onboarding updates in Cliq. You can request the AI tool to bring all this together, such as:

`Close the Mobile App Development deal, onboard the project in Zoho Projects, and post a message in Cliq's Project Onboarding channel with the project details.`

The AI tool fetches the required information from all three applications and returns a consolidated update, or performs the necessary actions, which depends on the tools you have enabled on your Zoho MCP server.

Why use Zoho MCP with Bigin?

Zoho MCP helps you move from clicking and searching to directing and analyzing, which allows you to work smarter with Bigin. It provides a complete new level of efficiency to the way you work with Bigin by enabling your MCP client to understand context, retrieve the information you need, and perform actions on your behalf. Instead of navigating menus, running reports, or switching between multiple tools, you can simply instruct what you want to achieve.

By connecting Zoho MCP with Bigin, your MCP client becomes a context-aware assistant that can fetch records, summarize pipelines, analyze activities, or draft updates based on your instructions. For example, you can ask, "Show me overdue deals", "Draft a follow-up email for Ted Watson", or "Explain pipeline performance over the past two weeks" and the MCP client will perform instructed actions or provide the insights instantly.

Moreover, with Zoho MCP, you maintain complete control over what the AI can access and all sensitive credentials remain securely within your Zoho environment. This makes the interaction both secure and reliable, while executing workflows that are otherwise difficult to perform manually.

Prerequisites

Before you setup Zoho MCP for Bigin:

You must have a Zoho account and access to Bigin.
Zoho MCP must be available for your org.
You need an AI tool like ChatGPT, Gemini CLI, Claude Desktop etc., with a paid plan that supports custom MCP connectors.
To access MCP tools, relevant permissions or connections must be authorized.

Configure your Zoho MCP Server

Once the required prerequisites are met, you can proceed to configure your Zoho MCP server as outlined below.

To configure a new Zoho MCP server

Go to the Zoho MCP portal.
In Welcome to Zoho MCP section, provide a name for your new MCP server and click Create server.

Make sure you don't include any special characters or spaces in the server name.

To configure the required tools for Bigin, click Add Tools.

Choose the service you want to configure (Bigin, in this case).

You may also use the search bar or apply the Category filter to locate the service quickly.

Note: Tools from Zoho services are authorized on demand when they are added to your server. If needed, you can switch the authorization method to Authorize via Connection from the Connection tab.

You will now see a list of available tools. These tools provide the necessary context and access for executing the actions requested in your prompts. Select the tools you require, then click Add Now.

The selected tools are now added to your MCP server.

To add more tools to the same service (Bigin, in this case) or configure tools from other Zoho services within the same MCP server, click Add More Tools, select Bigin or any other Zoho service, and add the required tools.

Additionally, if you need to connect with third-party application beyond the Zoho ecosystem, you can also configure tools from the available third-party services within the same MCP server.

This allows you to build a unified, cross-product setup, which enables AI tools to work seamlessly with multiple Zoho applications and third-party services through a single MCP server. All the selected tools are now added to your Zoho MCP server.

The Zoho MCP server is now ready to be connected to your MCP clients.

Connect MCP to Supported AI tools

Before you connect Zoho MCP to any AI tool you must first copy the MCP server URL.

To copy the MCP Server URL

Open the Zoho MCP portal and select your MCP server.
Go to the Connect section.

Copy the MCP URL displayed on the page.

You will use this URL when configuring the AI tool.

After you copy the MCP URL, you can configure it in any supported AI tool. The steps vary for each client, and the following sections describe how to connect Zoho MCP with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini CLI, Cursor, Windsurf, and Visual Studio Code.

Note
The custom MCP feature is generally available in premium plans of AI tools (like Claude Pro). Before setting up the Zoho MCP for Bigin in any AI tool, ensure that your AI tool's plan supports the custom MCP connector or app.

Claude

To connect with Claude:

Open Settings > Connectors in Claude (Web or Desktop).

Click Add custom connector.

In the Add custom connector dialog, enter a preferred name and paste the MCP Server URL you copied from the Zoho MCP portal.

Click Add.
In the connector list, click Connect, then follow the prompts to authorize access to your Bigin account.

Once authorization is complete, you can interact with your Bigin data via Claude using natural instructions.

ChatGPT (Developer Mode)

To connect with ChatGPT:

Open Profile > Settings in ChatGPT (web).

Go to the Apps > Advanced Settings section.

Enable the Developer mode toggle. Once the Developer mode is enabled, the Create app button appears.

Click Create app.
In the New App dialog, upload an icon, enter a preferred name and description, and paste the MCP Server URL you copied from the Zoho MCP portal.

After reviewing the information about custom MCP servers provided by ChatGPT, select the checkbox labeled I understand and want to continue.

Click Create. When prompted for authorization, follow the prompts to allow access to your Bigin account.
Once authorization is completed, open a new chat in ChatGPT, select the Custom connected Bigin's MCP app.

Now, you can start prompting to perform actions in Bigin.

Gemini CLI

To connect with Gemini CLI (macOS and Windows):

Open Terminal (macOS) or Command Prompt / Powershell (Windows).
Install Gemini CLI in your preferred directory using the following command:

npm install -g @google/gemini-cli

Authenticate with Gemini CLI:

gemini auth login

Configure the Zoho MCP for Bigin server in the settings file by running:

In macOS

code ~/.gemini/settings.json

In Windows

code $env:USERPROFILE\.gemini\settings.json

In the settings.json file that opens, add the MCP server configuration.

{
    "mcpServers": {
      "BiginMCP": {
        "httpUrl": "<MCP_URL_HERE>"
      }
    },
   "security": {
     "auth": {
       "selectedType": "oauth-personal"
     }
   }
}

Replace <MCP_URL_HERE> with the MCP Server URL copied from the Zoho MCP portal.

Save and close the settings.json file.
Launch Gemini CLI:

gemini

When Gemini CLI starts, it initiates the authorization automatically. If it does not, enter the following command in the Gemini CLI prompt:

/mcp auth <MCP_Server_Name>

Note
<MCP_Server_Name> will appear in the CLI when you run the command and it's based on the name configured in the settings.json file.

When prompted, select Yes to open the authentication page in your browser. Follow the prompts in the browser to authorize access to your Bigin account.

After authorization is complete, return to the CLI and start using natural language prompts to perform actions in Bigin.

Cursor

To connect with Cursor:

Open Settings in Cursor Desktop, or press Ctrl + Shift + J.

Go to the Tools & MCP section.

Click Add Custom MCP.

In the mcp.json file that opens, add the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "BiginMCP": {
      "url": "<MCP_URL_HERE>"
    }
  }
}

Replace <MCP_URL_HERE> with the MCP Server URL copied from the Zoho MCP portal.

Save and close the mcp.json file.
Under Installed MCP Servers, for the configured MCP, click Connect. Follow the prompts to authorize access to your Bigin account.

Once authorization is complete, open a new chat in Cursor and start prompting to perform actions in Bigin.

Windsurf

To connect with Windsurf:

Open Settings > Windsurf Settings, or press Ctrl + , in Windsurf Desktop.

Go to the Cascade section and click Open MCP Marketplace next to MCP Servers.

Under Installed/MCPs, click the Settings icon to open the mcp_config.json file.

Add the following configuration to the file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "BiginMCP": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "mcp-remote",
        "<MCP_URL_HERE>",
        "--transport",
        "http-only"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Replace <MCP_URL_HERE> with the MCP Server URL copied from the Zoho MCP portal.

Save the file. When prompted for authorization, follow the prompts to allow access to your Bigin account.

Once authorization is completed, open a new chat in Windsurf and start prompting to perform actions in Bigin.

Visual Studio Code

To connect with VS Code:

Open Visual Studio Code and open the Command Palette using Ctrl + Shift + P.
Type MCP: Add Server... and press Enter.

Select HTTP (HTTP or Server-Sent Events) and press Enter.

Paste the MCP Server URL copied from the Zoho MCP portal and press Enter.

Provide a preferred server name and press Enter.

When prompted, follow the authorization flow to allow access to your Bigin account.

After authorization, open GitHub Copilot and make sure it is set to the tool mode.

You can now prompt Copilot to perform actions in Bigin using natural instructions.

Manage Connections

Connections are defined as authorization layer for the tools added to your MCP server. They manage the required credentials, tokens, and authentication workflows that enable each tool to interact with AI tools securely.

Zoho MCP supports two authorization methods and provides ways to manage both Zoho and third-party services.

Authorization on Demand (Default)

Used for tools added from Zoho services.
Each user authorizes access individually using their own account credentials.
Suitable when different team members require independent access control.
If you and another user connects to the same Zoho MCP server, each of you must complete the authorization process individually. Access and actions are authenticated per account, which ensures that every user grants their own permissions.

Authorization via Connection

Can be enabled for tools added from third-party services.
Depends on organization-level authorization, which is managed using OAuth access and refresh tokens.
Suitable for Super Admins who want to extend authorization to team members without requiring individual approvals.
If you are the Super Admin and your organization members connects to the same Zoho MCP server, you can choose to authorize tools using the OAuth access and refresh tokens. With this option enabled, trusted users can perform actions through the MCP server without completing their own individual authorization.

Enable Authorization via Connection

By default, Authorization on Demand is enabled when you configure tools from Zoho services.

To switch to Authorization via Connection:

Go to the Connection section in the MCP portal.
Click Edit.

Select Authorize via Connection, then click Update.

To authorize, navigate to the Authorized Tools list, click the ellipsis icon next to the required connection, select Authorize, and follow the prompts to grant access to your services.

Once enabled, all actions performed through this MCP server will use the Super Admin's OAuth tokens.

To revoke the connection:

Go to the Connection section in the MCP portal.
Navigate to the Authorized Tools list, click the ellipsis icon next to the required connection, select Revoke.

Click Revoke to confirm.

You can always reauthorize the revoked connection.

Third-Party Service Connections

The third-party service connection is enabled and authorized through Zoho Flow's secure authorization process when you add tools from third-party services to your MCP server. You can revoke and delete this connection as needed.

To revoke a third-party connection:

Go to the Connection > Third-party Services tab in the MCP portal.
Navigate to the Authorized Tools list, click the ellipsis icon next to the required connection, select Revoke.

Click Revoke to confirm.

You can reauthorize a revoked connection at any time by selecting Authorize from the same menu.

To delete a third-party connection:

Go to the Connection > Third-party Services tab in the MCP portal.
Navigate to the Authorized Tools list, click the ellipsis icon next to the required connection, select Delete.

Click Delete to confirm.

Manage Zoho MCP Servers

You can view all the MCP servers created for your organization on the Zoho MCP portal's home page.

To disable a Zoho MCP Server:

Go to the Zoho MCP portal's home page.
Click the ellipsis icon on the configured server and select Disable.

Click Disable to confirm.

You can enable it again at any time by clicking the ellipsis icon of the disabled server and selecting Enable.

To delete a Zoho MCP Server:

Go to the Zoho MCP portal's home page.
Click the ellipsis icon on the configured server and select Delete.

Click Delete to confirm.

The server will be removed from your Zoho MCP portal.

Delete Configured Tools

Each tool you add to the Zoho MCP server represents action that AI tools can perform in the connected service.

If you have added a tool to the MCP server and want to disable it temporarily, you can do it directly from the AI tool you are using. However, if the tool is no longer required and needs to be removed completely, you must delete it from the Zoho MCP portal.

To delete a tool:

Open the MCP server from which you want to remove the tool.
In the Tools section, select service where the tool is configured.
Click the ellipsis icon next to the tool, and select Delete.

Click Delete to confirm.

To learn more about Zoho MCP, see Zoho MCP Help Documentation.

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