Connect WireFlow to Claude (MCP & API)

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: Every diagram Claude saves through the API first captures a restorable revision, so an unexpected edit is never 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
• Header: Authorization: Bearer YOUR_KEY

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.
• Every API save first captures a revision you can restore from the editor, so nothing is lost for good.
• Simultaneous edits are safe — a stale write is rejected instead of overwriting another session's work.
• Team and live-collaboration diagrams are read-only through the API for now.

Troubleshooting

• 401 Unauthorized — the key is wrong, was revoked, or has a typo. Create a fresh key and reconnect.
• 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.