Zoho Projects MCP Server

Zoho Projects MCP Server

Zoho Projects MCP (Model Context Protocol) connects Zoho Projects with your preferred Large Language Model (LLM) clients. This enables LLMs  to interact with your project data and perform actions using natural language prompts.

With Zoho Projects MCP, you can retrieve portal-specific information, create and update records, and manage project activities directly from your AI client without switching between platforms.

Zoho Projects provides direct MCP server endpoints for different data centers and tool discovery modes. You can configure the appropriate server URL in your preferred AI client without creating a separate MCP server through the Zoho MCP console.

MCP Server URLs

Zoho Projects provides two types of MCP server endpoints based on how tools are discovered and loaded. Choose the appropriate endpoint based on your preferred tool discovery mode and the data center hosting your Zoho Projects portal.
  1. Direct Tools: Loads all available Zoho Projects tools upfront. This is suitable for clients that require the complete tool list to be available from the beginning.
  2. Progressive Tool Discovery: Discovers and loads relevant tools based on the user's prompts dynamically. This is the recommended option for reducing context consumption and loading only the tools required to complete a request.
Data Center
Direct Tools
Progressive Tool Discovery
US
https://projects.zohomcp.com/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.com/mcp/message
EU
https://projects.zohomcp.eu/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.eu/mcp/message
IN
https://projects.zohomcp.in/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.in/mcp/message
AU
https://projects.zohomcp.com.au/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.com.au/mcp/message
CA
https://projects.zohomcp.ca/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.ca/mcp/message
SA
https://projects.zohomcp.sa/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.sa/mcp/message
JP
https://projects.zohomcp.jp/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.jp/mcp/message
AE
https://projects.zohomcp.ae/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.ae/mcp/message
UK
https://projects.zohomcp.uk/mcp/message
https://zprojects.zohomcp.uk/mcp/message

Understanding Progressive Tool Discovery

Progressive Tool Discovery helps your AI assistant find and use only the Zoho Projects tools needed to complete a request, instead of loading all available tools at once.

For example, when you ask it to create a task, it identifies the relevant task creation tool, retrieves the required parameters, and uses the tool to create the task in Zoho Projects.

This approach reduces context consumption, makes tool discovery more efficient, and simplifies working with large collections of tools by loading only what is needed for each request.

Prerequisites

  1. An AI client that supports MCP server connections.
  2. An active portal in Zoho Projects.
  3. MCP Access enabled in Zoho Projects.
  4. API Access enabled in Zoho Projects.

Benefits

  1. Use natural language commands to retrieve and process data from Zoho Projects.
  2. Create and update records across modules from the LLM console.
  3. Execute commands with portal-specific context for accurate results.

Use Case

A project manager wants to save time setting up an entire project using AI. By connecting the Zoho MCP server to Claude, the project's portal-specific data becomes accessible directly within the LLM. The project manager can then use natural language prompts to generate the full project structure using a project plan, from phases down to subtasks, without switching between platforms.


Glossary

AI Agents - Software programs that interpret user prompts and perform actions using artificial intelligence.
MCP - A bridge that allows users to access Zoho Projects within a preferred LLM.
MCP Client - An interface where prompts are provided to initiate workflows through an AI agent. Eg. ChatGPT, Claude, VS Code.
MCP Server - An MCP Server manages backend operations by handling authentication, context, permissions, and execution for MCP Clients. Eg. Zoho Projects
MCP URL - The MCP URL is the endpoint used by an MCP Client to connect with the MCP Server of a service.
Eg. Configuring the Zoho Projects MCP URL in an AI agent to enable access to a specific portal.

Alert
Only connect to trusted MCP clients and MCP servers. Connecting Zoho Projects to an AI client grants it access to your portal data and the ability to perform actions based on the permissions you authorize. Review the requested permissions carefully before approving access.

Enable MCP Access in Zoho Projects

  1. Click  in the upper-right corner of the top navigation band.
  2. Navigate to Portal Configuration > AI Hub.
  3. Click on the MCP Access tab and enable it.

Enable API Access in Zoho Projects

  1. Click  in the upper-right corner of the top navigation band.
  2. Navigate to Developer Space > API Access & Mobile Access.
  3. Select the check box to enable access and click Update.


APIs lets third-party users connect with your Zoho Projects portal.

Connect Zoho MCP to Microsoft Copilot Studio

Connect Zoho Projects to Microsoft Copilot Studio to enable your agents to access project data and perform actions using natural language prompts.
Info
An agent must be created in the new Copilot Studio experience.

Setup Zoho MCP

  1. Sign in to Microsoft Copilot Studio and open your agent.
  2. Navigate to Build > Tools and select Add a tool.
  3. Click Add next to the search bar and select Model Context Protocol (MCP).
  4. Provide the connection details: name, description and server URL.
  5. Choose the supported authentication method and provide the required credentials.
  6. Click Add to establish the connection.
  7. Review the tools retrieved from the server and click Save.

Access Zoho Projects MCP Tools

  1. Open the chat and enter a prompt in natural language that requires a Zoho Projects operation.
  2. Review and authorize tools when prompted.

Connect Zoho MCP to ChatGPT

Connect Zoho Projects to ChatGPT to access project data and perform actions using natural language prompts, directly within your conversations.

Set up Zoho MCP in ChatGPT

  1. Navigate to ChatGPT and sign in to your account.
  2. Click Plugins in the left navigation panel.
  3. Click Add in the upper-right corner and select Add custom MCP server.
  4. Enter a connection name, paste the appropriate Zoho Projects MCP server URL.
  5. Select the required authentication method.
  6. Review the connection details and acknowledge the security notice by selecting I understand and want to continue.
  7. Click Create as a plugin.
Once the plugin is created, select it in ChatGPT to access Zoho Projects tools and perform actions using natural language prompts.


Connect Zoho MCP to Claude

Connect Zoho Projects to Claude using the default Zoho Projects connector available in the Connectors directory to access project data and perform actions through natural language prompts.

Set Up Zoho MCP in Claude

Notes
Only a Claude organization admin can complete these steps. Once connected, the integration will be accessible to everyone in your Claude organization, but only you can manage the tools linked to this Zoho MCP instance.
  1. Navigate to Claude and sign in.
  2. Open Settings > Customize > Connectors.
  3. Select the Discover tab and search for Zoho Projects.
  4. Select the Zoho Projects connector and click Connect.
  5. Complete the authentication process to authorize the connection.

Access Zoho Projects in Claude

  1. Open a new chat.
  2. Click the + button in the chat input area.
  3. Select Connectors.
  4. Enable or select the Zoho Projects connector.
  5. Enter a natural language prompt to perform actions in Zoho Projects.

Connect Zoho MCP to Cursor

Use tools from Zoho MCP directly inside Cursor IDE. Enable your AI assistant to perform real-world actions securely, without leaving your coding workspace.

Add Zoho Projects MCP Server in Cursor

  1. Open Cursor, navigate to Customize > MCPs, and click + New.
  2. Enter a server name, select URL, and paste the appropriate Zoho Projects MCP server URL.
  3. Configure HTTP headers or OAuth credentials if required, and click Add MCP.
  4. Open a new chat, click the + icon in the chat composer, and select MCPs.
  5. Find Zoho Projects and click Connect.
  6. Complete the authentication process.

Once connected, enter a natural language prompt to perform actions in Zoho Projects.
Info
Important: Treat your MCP server key like a password. It can trigger tools connected to your account and access sensitive information.

Connect Zoho MCP to Windsurf / Devin Desktop

Use Zoho MCP directly within Windsurf IDE. Let your AI assistant handle real-world actions through a secure, simple connection-right from your coding environment.

Set up Zoho Projects MCP in Devin

  1. Open Devin and navigate to Customizations > MCPs.
  2. Click + and select New MCP.
  3. Enter a server name and description.
  4. Select HTTP as the transport type and enter the appropriate Zoho Projects MCP server URL.
  5. Set Authentication to None and leave Custom headers empty, unless additional configuration is required.
  6. Click Add, acknowledge the security notice, and click Add again.

Authorize Zoho Projects access in Devin

  1. When redirected to Zoho MCP, review the requested permissions and click Allow.
  2. Review the Zoho Projects permissions, select the checkbox to authorize access, and click Accept.

Access Zoho Projects MCP tools in Devin

  1. Open a new Devin session.
  2. Use a natural language prompt to request an action in Zoho Projects.
  3. Review and authorize tool actions when prompted.
Notes
Treat your MCP server key like a password! It can trigger tools linked to this server and access your data.

Connect to Visual Studio Code

Use tools directly inside Visual Studio Code with Zoho MCP. Allow your AI assistant to perform real-world actions through a secure, simple connection without leaving your coding workspace.
Info
You must have GitHub Copilot enabled and set to Agent mode in Visual Studio Code for Zoho MCP to function correctly.

Configure Zoho Projects MCP

  1. Open the Visual Studio Code Command Palette (⇧ + ⌘ + P on Mac, Ctrl + Shift + P on Windows).
  2. Enter MCP: Add Server and select the command.
  3. Select HTTP (HTTP or Server-Sent Events).
  4. Enter the appropriate Zoho Projects MCP server URL.
  5. Provide a server name, such as ZohoProjects.
  6. Choose whether to make the server available globally or only in the current workspace.
  7. Review the server configuration and complete the authentication.

Access Zoho Projects MCP tools

  1. Open GitHub Copilot Chat and switch to Agent mode.
  2. Click the Tools icon in the chat prompt bar.
  3. Find Zoho Projects in the available tools and enable the required tools.
  4. Enter a natural language prompt to perform actions in Zoho Projects.


Connect Zoho Projects to Gemini

Connect Zoho Projects to Gemini using the default Zoho Projects connector available under Connected Apps to retrieve project information and perform actions using natural language prompts.

Set up Zoho Projects in Gemini

  1. Open Gemini and sign in to your account.
  2. Navigate to Customize > Connectors.
  3. Search for Zoho Projects under Connected Apps and click the + icon.

  4. Review the requested Google Account access and click Agree and continue.
  5. On the Zoho MCP authorization page, review the access request and click Allow.
  6. Review the Zoho Projects permissions, select the checkbox to authorize access, and click Accept.

Access Zoho Projects in Gemini

  1. Open a new chat in Gemini.
  2. Enter @Zoho Projects followed by your natural language prompt.
  3. Review the requested action and authorize it when prompted.

Sample Natural Language Commands

  1. Create a task in Project "Zylker Constructions" with a due date of Friday.
  2. Show all the overdue tasks assigned to me this week.
  3. Update the status of the "Design Review" task to Completed.