Zapier MCP in Claude Chat: From Zero to Working Setup | Build Along Workshop

Set up your free Zapier MCP server for Claude here 👉 https://bit.ly/3PbwmKg Ready to move beyond simple chatting and start letting AI take action? In this live workshop replay, Emily Mabie (Sr. AI Automation Engineer at Zapier) breaks down the "WTF is MCP?" mystery and walks you through a step-by-step build to connect Claude to the apps you use every day. Using the metaphor of a computer's USB port, Emily demonstrates how Model Context Protocol (MCP) acts as the bridge that allows Claude to "plug in" to your Google Drive, Slack, Calendar, and more. You’ll watch a live setup of a workflow that finds meeting transcripts, summarizes to-dos, coordinates with colleagues in Slack, and schedules follow-up meetings—all without leaving the Claude chat interface. 🚀 Workshop Build Steps 1️⃣The MCP Setup: Adding the Zapier Connector within the Claude interface. 2️⃣ Server Configuration: Selecting specific tools and "permissions" (actions) you are comfortable letting AI perform (e.g., "Find File" vs. "Delete File"). 3️⃣ Authentication: Connecting your workspace accounts to the MCP server. 4️⃣ Live Testing: Running a "Meeting Recap" prompt to pull data from a Google Doc and trigger Slack/Calendar actions. 🛠️ Build-along Resources A Claude Account: (Free or Pro) A Zapier Account: Sign up for free to access MCP Connected Apps: Google Drive, Google Docs, Slack, and Google Calendar. ⏳ Workshop Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Best Things Consumed in 48 Hours 05:15 – Meet Emily Mabie: AI Automation for Everyone 08:40 – Intro: How are you using AI chat right now? 12:20 – WTF is MCP? The USB Port Metaphor 17:45 – Determinism vs. Inference: The Spectrum of AI 22:10 – STEP 1: Adding the Zapier Connector to Claude 25:30 – STEP 2: Configuring your MCP Server & Setting Permissions 31:15 – STEP 3: Connecting Google Drive, Docs, and Calendar 38:50 – STEP 4: Connecting Slack for AI-Driven Communication 44:30 – LIVE DEMO: Extracting To-Dos from a Meeting Transcript 51:15 – Triggering Slack Mes