The MCP Server integration in Calamari allows users to connect their Calamari account to a chosen AI provider. This enables them to perform selected actions in Calamari directly from within an AI tool — for example, clocking in or out, or submitting a leave request, provided the organization uses the relevant modules.
In this article, you will learn:
What is MCP Server?
MCP Server is an integration that acts as a bridge between Calamari and a chosen AI tool.
Once connected, a user can ask the AI tool to perform specific actions in Calamari — such as clocking in, clocking out, or submitting a leave request.
MCP Server does not replace standard access to Calamari. Users can still only perform actions that are available to them based on the organization's configuration, active modules, and their individual permissions.
How does MCP Server work?
The process consists of two steps:
1. An administrator enables the integration for the organization
The administrator enables MCP Server in Calamari's integration settings. This makes the option to connect their Calamari account to a chosen AI provider available to users.
⚠️ Enabling the integration does not automatically connect users' accounts to AI.
2. The user connects their own account to AI
Once the integration is enabled, each user can connect their Calamari account to their preferred AI provider on their own.
During setup, the user will see instructions and will be asked to grant the appropriate access. The connection only becomes active after the user confirms access.
What features are available in MCP Server v1?
MCP Server is currently available in version v1. The feature scope includes:
submitting leave requests,
analyzing the absence calendar,
clocking in,
clocking out.
Leave request and absence calendar features are available as part of the Time Off module.
Clock-in and clock-out features are available as part of the Time & Attandance module.
If the organization does not use a given module, the related features will not be available to users.
Example: if the organization uses only the Time Tracking module, users can use clock-in and clock-out actions, but will not be able to submit leave requests via MCP Server.
How to enable MCP Server in Calamari?
⚠️ Only a user with an administrator role in Calamari can enable this integration.
To enable the MCP Server integration, go to: Configuration → Integrations → MCP Server You can also use the direct link: https://app-new.calamari.io/configuration/integration/mcp-server
Enable the integration for your organization.
Once the integration is enabled, users will be able to begin connecting their Calamari account to their preferred AI provider.
How can an employee connect their Calamari account to AI?
Once the administrator has enabled MCP Server, each employee can independently connect their Calamari account to their preferred MCP-compatible AI tool.
To do this:
Go to the AI connection configuration screen in Calamari.
Select the AI tool you want to use — e.g., ChatGPT, Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Copilot Studio, or any other MCP-compatible tool.
Copy the MCP server URL shown in Calamari.
Paste that URL into the settings of your chosen MCP-compatible AI tool.
When prompted about access, confirm the connection and grant the AI tool access to your Calamari account.
Once configured, the connection will work for your account only.
⚠️ The administrator does not connect accounts on behalf of employees or grant access for them. Each employee independently decides whether they want to connect their Calamari account to an AI tool.
Q&A
Does the administrator need to grant employees additional permissions?
Does the administrator need to grant employees additional permissions?
No. The administrator only needs to enable the MCP Server integration for the organization. Once enabled, employees can begin setting up the connection between their Calamari account and their preferred MCP-compatible AI tool on their own.
Does the administrator connect employees' accounts to AI?
Does the administrator connect employees' accounts to AI?
No. The administrator does not connect accounts on behalf of employees. Each employee independently decides whether they want to link their Calamari account to an AI tool. The connection only works after the individual employee completes the setup.
Does enabling MCP Server automatically share employee data?
Does enabling MCP Server automatically share employee data?
No. Enabling MCP Server does not automatically share employee data with an AI provider. Access is only granted when an employee independently connects their Calamari account to a chosen AI tool and confirms the required permissions.
Will the scope of MCP Server be expanded?
Will the scope of MCP Server be expanded?
Yes. MCP Server is currently available in version v1, so the feature scope is limited to selected actions from the Leave Management and Time Tracking modules. In future iterations, MCP Server's capabilities will be gradually expanded.
Can employees use all Calamari features through AI?
Can employees use all Calamari features through AI?
No. MCP Server does not bypass Calamari’s standard access rules and does not extend an employee’s permissions.
Employees can use AI only for actions that meet both of the following conditions:
they are supported in the current version of MCP Server,
they are available to the employee in Calamari based on the organization’s configuration, active modules, and the employee’s permissions.
This means that if a feature is not available to the employee in Calamari or is not yet supported by MCP Server, it cannot be performed through the AI tool.