Connect WireFlow to Claude: MCP Server & API

Set up the WireFlow MCP server: create an API key and let Claude, or your own scripts, list, read, build, and edit your AV diagrams.

What this does

Connect WireFlow to Claude and you can build and edit diagrams by describing them — "Add a backup recorder to my Main Stage diagram" — and Claude reads your real diagram and makes the change.

There are two ways in, both using the same personal API key: an MCP connection (for Claude Code and Claude Desktop) and the REST API (for your own scripts).

Tip: Founders Access: the "Claude & API access" panel is included with every paid plan. On a free plan the panel shows an upgrade option instead.

Step 1 — Create your API key

Your key is how Claude authenticates as you. It grants full access to your diagrams, so treat it like a password.

  1. Open Settings and stay on the Account tab.
  2. Scroll to the "Claude & API access" panel.
  3. Type a name you'll recognize later (for example, "Claude Code") and click Create key.

Step 2 — Copy the key now

The full key is shown exactly once, right after you create it. Copy it before you leave the page.

  1. Click the copy button next to your new key.
  2. Paste it somewhere safe for the next step — a password manager is ideal.
  3. If you lose it you can't view it again; just create a new key and revoke the old one.

Tip: Each API save keeps a snapshot of the version it replaces (devices, wiring and canvas, not the name or description), and the latest 10 are kept. If an edit goes wrong, ask Claude to restore an earlier one. Deleting a diagram is permanent.

Step 3 — Connect Claude Code

This is the recommended setup: run one command in a terminal and Claude Code gains WireFlow tools everywhere.

  1. Open any terminal.
  2. Paste the command shown under your new key (it already has your key filled in):
  3. claude mcp add --transport http wireflow https://wireflow.live/api/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY"
  4. Confirm it worked with: claude mcp list — you should see wireflow ✔ Connected.

Tip: Claude Code loads connections when it starts. If it was already running, start a new session for the WireFlow tools to appear.

Step 4 — Try it

In a fresh Claude Code session, just ask in plain language. Claude can list, read, create, and update your diagrams.

  • "List my WireFlow diagrams."
  • "Open my Main Stage diagram and add a backup recorder after the switcher."
  • "Build me a new diagram for a 2-camera livestream rig."

Alternative — Claude Desktop

Prefer the Claude desktop app? Add WireFlow as a custom connector instead of using the terminal.

  • Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector.
  • URL: https://wireflow.live/api/mcp?key=YOUR_KEY (replace YOUR_KEY with the key you created; the connector dialog has no header field, so the key goes in the URL).
  • Treat that URL like a password: anyone who has it can use your key. If it ever leaks, revoke the key in Settings → Account → Claude & API access.

Alternative — REST API for scripts

The same key works with the REST API at /api/v1 if you'd rather script WireFlow yourself. Example — list your diagrams:

curl https://wireflow.live/api/v1/diagrams -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY"

  • GET /api/v1/diagrams — list your diagrams
  • GET /api/v1/diagrams/:id — full diagram as WireFlow JSON
  • POST /api/v1/diagrams — create a diagram
  • PUT /api/v1/diagrams/:id/state — replace a diagram's contents
  • GET /api/v1/wfi/schema — the WireFlow JSON authoring guide

Tip: Rate limit: 120 requests per minute per key.

Good to know

  • Keys grant full access to your diagrams — never paste one into a public repo, screenshot, or support ticket.
  • Revoking a key from this panel disconnects anything using it immediately.
  • Each API save keeps a snapshot of the version it replaces (devices, wiring and canvas, not the name or description), and the latest 10 are kept. Ask Claude to restore one if an edit goes wrong. Deleting a diagram is permanent.
  • Over MCP, a full rewrite (replace_diagram_state) or a restore must name the saved version it is based on, and fails with CONFLICT if someone saved since. The REST PUT takes that version as an optional expectedStateSavedAt field. Smaller patches apply to the newest saved version, so ask Claude to re-read a diagram you are also editing yourself.
  • The API refuses to edit team, live-collaboration and site-map (multi-zone) diagrams. duplicate_diagram makes a personal copy, which Claude can edit unless it is a site-map diagram.
  • API access follows your own account's Pro access: a paid plan, an active trial or a complimentary grant. A Team seat on its own does not include API access.

Troubleshooting

  • 401 Unauthorized — the key is wrong, was revoked, or has a typo. Create a fresh key and reconnect.
  • 403 Forbidden: either your own account has no API access (it needs a paid plan, an active trial or a complimentary grant of its own), or the diagram is a team, live-collaboration or site-map diagram, which the API refuses to edit.
  • Claude doesn't show WireFlow tools — start a new Claude session; connections load at startup.
  • "claude: command not found" — install Claude Code first, then re-run the connect command.
  • Lost your key — you can't recover it; create a new one and revoke the old.