Claude and Xero:
three ways to connect.
Short answer: Use Xero's own connector for Claude for read-only questions about live figures, such as overdue invoices or cash position. Use the open-source Xero MCP server only if you need Claude to create invoices or journals, and test it on Xero's demo company first. For dashboards and repeatable checks, export a CSV and build a tool with Claude Code.
Bookkeepers and accountants on Xero can now ask Claude about live figures. The question is how much access to give it. This guide compares the three realistic options, from read-only questions to automation that writes to the ledger.
The options
| Option | Who makes it | Access | Setup | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xero connector for Claude | Xero Limited | Read-only: P&L, cash position, invoices, aged receivables and payables, contacts, bills, bank transactions | Connect from Claude's connector directory and sign in to Xero | Questions about live figures without risk of changing the books |
| Xero MCP server | XeroAPI (open source, MIT) | Read and write: can create invoices, contacts, payments, bank transactions, manual journals | Developer setup: a Xero custom connection or bearer token, then configure the server in Claude | Automation you have tested carefully on a demo company |
| CSV or Excel export | You | Only the file you export | Export a report or bank transactions from Xero | Building dashboards and checks with Claude Code, with no connection to the ledger |
Sources: Xero connector for Claude, XeroAPI/xero-mcp-server on GitHub. Availability and features change; check both pages before setting up.
Which one to choose
- Start read-only. The Xero connector cannot change your books, which makes it the safe way to ask "which invoices are more than 60 days overdue?" or "how does cash compare with last month?".
- Use write access only with a test file first. The MCP server can create invoices and journals. Try it on Xero's demo company, and keep a human approval step before anything is posted.
- Use an export to build tools. For a cash flow dashboard or a monthly check that runs the same way every time, export the data and build with Claude Code. The tool never touches the ledger. See how to build a cash flow dashboard with Claude Code.
Five useful read-only questions
- List invoices more than 60 days overdue, largest first, with the customer and amount.
- Compare cash position at the end of this month and last month, and name the three biggest movements.
- Show bills due in the next 14 days and their total.
- Which expense accounts grew more than 20% versus the same month last year?
- Summarize aged receivables by customer and flag anyone above $5,000.
Check at least one answer against the Xero report itself. Our checking guide explains a quick routine.
Data and permissions
Whatever Claude reads is sent to Anthropic to produce the answer. Confirm that your firm's AI policy and your client agreements allow it, and connect with the least access that does the job. Details: is Claude Code safe for financial data? Using QuickBooks instead? See Claude and QuickBooks.
Frequently asked questions
Can Claude connect to Xero?
Yes. Xero publishes a read-only connector for Claude, and XeroAPI maintains an open-source MCP server that can also create and update records.
Can Claude change my Xero books?
The Xero connector is read-only. The Xero MCP server has write tools (invoices, contacts, payments, journals), so use it only after testing on a demo company.
Do I need to connect Xero to build a dashboard?
No. A CSV export is enough for Claude Code to build a dashboard, and the tool then has no access to the ledger.
Turn a CSV into a working cash flow dashboard.
A self-paced Claude Code workshop for bookkeepers, accountants and FP&A: six lessons, one project, sample data with expected totals. Taught by CFO Leo Godnik.
See the six lessons — $69 → Or start with the free lesson ↗