Anthropic has recently introduced “Integrations” for Claude, enabling the AI to interact directly with various daily work tools. Additionally, they have upgraded the “Advanced Research” feature, allowing users to explore information in greater depth than ever before. Starting with Integrations, this feature simplifies a previously technical setup known as the Model Context Protocol (MCP).
Developers can now create secure connections that allow Claude to interact with applications on the web or on desktops seamlessly. For users, this means a straightforward integration with a growing range of popular software, including Jira, Confluence, Zapier, Cloudflare, Intercom, Asana, Square, Sentry, PayPal, Linear, and Plaid, with Stripe and GitLab to follow soon. The key benefit of these integrations is context.
Claude can access information about project histories, task updates, and team knowledge, leading to improved understanding and reduced guesswork. As Anthropic explains, when tools are connected to Claude, it becomes a more informed collaborator, facilitating the management of complex projects with expert guidance at every step. In practical terms, connecting Zapier allows Claude to trigger extensive workflows across numerous apps.
For instance, it could retrieve sales data from HubSpot, check your calendar, and generate meeting notes—all with simple commands. Teams using tools like Jira and Confluence can benefit from Claude’s ability to draft product specifications, summarize documents, and create linked Jira tickets. Beyond tool integration, Claude’s Advanced Research feature has also been enhanced.
This mode enables Claude to tackle comprehensive inquiries by breaking them down into smaller components, using information from various sources, including the web and connected apps. Although complex investigations may take longer—up to 45 minutes—the results offer trustworthy insights with clear references to original sources. These upgrades are currently in beta for users on Anthropic’s paid Max, Team, and Enterprise plans, with broader access for Pro plan users coming soon.
The standard web search feature is now widely available, removing geographical restrictions. Overall, these advancements demonstrate Anthropic’s commitment to making Claude an indispensable tool in professional environments, enhancing its role beyond a novelty to a staple in modern workflows.