Claude Connects to Slack, Canva & Figma via MCP
▼ Summary
– Anthropic’s Claude AI now allows users to interact with apps like Slack and Canva directly inside the chat interface, enabling tasks like drafting messages and creating presentations without switching tabs.
– This new integration provides visual, interactive engagement with tools, letting users see and refine results rather than just receiving text responses.
– Available integrations include real-time Canva deck customization, Slack message previews, chart building with Hex or Amplitude, and project management with Asana or monday.com.
– The feature represents a shift toward AI platforms operating more like operating systems or “everything apps,” similar to the direction of ChatGPT’s app ecosystem.
– The capability is powered by the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard adopted by major tech firms and donated to the Linux Foundation to advance open-source agentic AI.
The latest update to Anthropic’s Claude AI assistant introduces a significant leap in functionality, allowing users to interact directly with popular workplace applications within the chat interface. This new capability, powered by an extension to the open-source Model Context Protocol (MCP), transforms Claude from a conversational tool into a more integrated workspace hub. Users can now draft and visually preview Slack messages, customize Canva presentations, and manage Asana projects without ever leaving the chatbot, creating a seamless workflow that eliminates constant tab switching.
This move towards interactive apps embedded directly in chat represents a notable shift in how AI platforms are evolving. The experience is reminiscent of the “mini-apps” found within messaging platforms like Telegram, suggesting a future where AI assistants function more like operating systems or consolidated “everything apps.” Claude’s new feature enables real-time customization of Canva decks, the building of interactive charts with tools like Hex or Amplitude, and direct project management with integrations for monday.com, Figma, Clay, and Box. Salesforce tools including Data 360 and Customer 360 are also slated for integration soon, broadening its enterprise utility.
The underlying technology enabling this is the MCP Apps extension. This framework allows any compatible MCP server to deliver an interactive interface within supporting AI products. Crucially, this means the capability for embedded app experiences is not exclusive to Claude and could soon appear in other AI tools, fostering a more interoperable ecosystem. The adoption of open standards like MCP is vital, as it prevents companies from needing to build and maintain countless unique integrations. Initially developed by Anthropic, MCP has seen adoption by major players including OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft.
Anthropic’s commitment to an open ecosystem was further demonstrated by donating the MCP to the Linux Foundation and co-founding the Agentic AI Foundation with other tech giants. This collaborative effort aims to advance open-source agentic AI, ensuring that the infrastructure for these powerful, interactive AI experiences is built on a shared, accessible standard. The integration signals a clear direction for AI assistants: becoming central, visual, and interactive platforms for work, rather than just text-based conversational partners.
(Source: The Verge)
