Claude's MCP Apps Update Reveals Live Slack, Figma and Canva — Workflows Simplified

Anthropic's next-generation AI assistant, Claude, received an update on 26 January that makes it more dynamic than ever. The AI assistant received a major update via a new extension to Claude's Model Context Protocol (MCP) apps that addresses its efficiency issues.

The new MCP extension embeds live, interactive interfaces inside Claude. This removes the tab-switching workflow common in AI productivity tools, according to a report by Blockchain News. With its new update, users can now utilise Claude to build Asana project timelines and draft messages in Slack, among other features, without having to leave the conversation window.

Blockchain News listed the 10 Claude integrations: Amplitude, Asana, Box, Canva, Clay, Figma, Hex, Monday.com, and Slack. These integrations allow users to build real-time analytics charts, create projects by converting conversations with Claude, and more, saving time in the process as the need to switch browser tabs or windows has been eliminated altogether.

The 'Claude' Command Centre

Claude's update indicates a notable shift from being merely a conversation tool to a workplace command centre where team members can perform in-app tasks within Claude's interface. Anthropic's product manager for MCP Apps, Sean Strong, said in an interview with VentureBeat, 'MCP Apps are an extension to the core MCP protocol and are part of the open source MCP ecosystem.'

Strong also talked about the subscription plans the integrations are included in, saying, 'Within Claude.ai, connectors require a paid Claude plan — Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise — but there is no additional charge associated with using connectors,' suggesting Claude's interactive tools are accessible via Anthropic's existing subscription plans.

Turning Claude into a command centre in the workforce follows the current AI trend, which bridges the gap between productivity platforms and chat interfaces. According to The New Stack, the MCP protocol that allows the integration of third-party applications into Claude, is an 'open protocol,' making it likely for other chatbot providers to implement it.

This approach aligns with an emerging trend in AI development — blurring the lines between chat interfaces and productivity platforms. Analysts describe Claude's new capability as turning the chatbot into an "operating system-like layer," akin to how messaging apps such as WeChat integrate services and streamline user interactions.

Strategic Tech Partnerships at Salesforce, SVP Nick Johnston announced, 'Enterprises need more from AI than powerful models. They also need a reliable way for those models to operate inside real business environments.

By partnering with Anthropic, we are bringing Salesforce directly into our customers' flow of work and providing the execution layer with context, data, governance, and trust.' It is expected that Salesforce, the firm behind the chat messaging tool Slack, will carry Agentforce, Data 360 and Customer 360 apps over to Claude.

AI Innovation: The Continuous Process

For Anthropic, they're just getting started. As AI systems increasingly take over tangible human tasks, the need to ensure protective measures are met becomes paramount. As such, Strong addresses this question, 'Most major MCP clients, including Claude, provide consent prompts that help users determine if they want to take an action via a MCP server. Team and Enterprise admins have the ability to control which MCP servers users in their organisations have the ability to use.'

With third-party productivity tools now being embedded in AI assistants such as Claude, we're seeing AI evolve past its limitations, reshaping how the workforce and individuals engage with these tools.