MCP Access is the workspace setting that decides what AI assistants connected through the SmartSuite MCP Server may do. It covers every connection, from Claude, ChatGPT or any other MCP tool.
The options are Disabled, Read-Only and Read & Write. Read-Only is the default.
Example: a GRC team keeps its production workspace on Read-Only, so the risk lead can ask Claude about live findings with no risk of changes. Its sandbox workspace is on Read & Write, where builders let Claude add tables and fields.
Plan Availability | All plan types. |
Permissions | Workspace Administrators. |
Platform | Web |
Related Reading |
Hosted and local MCP servers
SmartSuite offers two MCP servers. This article is about the hosted one.
Hosted MCP Server: runs at https://app.smartsuite.com/v1/mcp. Members sign in with their SmartSuite account, with nothing to install and no API key. EU workspaces are served from the EU.
Local MCP Server: the open-source server on GitHub. It runs on your own machine through npm, Docker or a Claude Desktop extension, and signs in with your API key.
The two have different tools, so they do not match one for one.
Note: MCP Access governs hosted connections only. A local server follows the permissions of the member's API key.
Setting MCP Access
Open Workspace Administration > AI Control Center.
On the MCP Access row, select Edit.
Choose an option.
Select Save Configuration.
The MCP Access row shows the current option.
The AI Control Center page, with the MCP Access row at the bottom showing its status, Read-only here, and the Edit button.
The three options
Option. | What it allows. |
Disabled. | No MCP access. The workspace does not appear when a member connects an assistant. |
Read-Only. | Assistants read what the connected member can see: records, documents, structure and settings. They change nothing. |
Read & Write. | Assistants act as the connected member and can change records, fields, tables, views, forms and automations, within that member's permissions. |
Write covers structure, not just record values. Choose Read & Write on purpose.
Two settings, and the stricter wins
Each member also chooses read only or read and write when they connect. The workspace setting is the ceiling, and the member's choice can only narrow it.
Workspace setting. | Member chose read only. | Member chose read and write. |
Disabled. | No access. | No access. |
Read-Only. | Read only. | Read only. |
Read & Write. | Read only. | Read and write, within the member's permissions. |
Read & Write allows write access but does not give it to everyone. Each member still chooses it and stays bound by their own role. See Roles and Permissions Overview.
When changes take effect
Lowering to Read-Only or Disabled narrows every connection within about a minute. Nobody needs to reconnect.
Raising to Read & Write does not upgrade existing read-only connections. A member who wants write access reconnects and chooses it.
Seeing what assistants did
Every change made through MCP goes into the record's activity history, under both the member's name and the assistant's. You can tell what a person did and what an assistant did for them.
Frequently asked questions
Does MCP Access apply to every AI tool?
Does MCP Access apply to every AI tool?
Yes. Claude, ChatGPT and other tools all connect through the same SmartSuite MCP Server, so one setting covers them.
Can an assistant see more than the member who connected it?
Can an assistant see more than the member who connected it?
No. It acts as that member and is bound by their role and permissions.
A member says a workspace is missing when they connect. Why?
A member says a workspace is missing when they connect. Why?
MCP Access is Disabled for that workspace.
A member chose read and write but changes are refused. Why?
A member chose read and write but changes are refused. Why?
MCP Access for that workspace is Read-Only. The stricter setting wins.
MCP Access is not shown in my AI Control Center. Why?
MCP Access is not shown in my AI Control Center. Why?
MCP Access is on every plan. If the row is missing, contact Support through the in-app chat. Support can turn it on.
Need more help? Ask the SmartSuite Community, where builders, administrators and the SmartSuite team answer questions about building on SmartSuite. For your account, billing or data, select the chat button in the lower-right corner of SmartSuite to reach support.
Last verified 1 Nov 2026.