Plug these 4 connectors into Claude first: Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion and Canva

Before you do anything fancy with Claude, plug in the apps you already use every day. I don't mean scrapers or video editors. I mean Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion and Canva. Once they're connected, Claude can read your inbox, check your calendar, write into your Notion pages and start a Canva design for you. This is the full version of the INSTALL guide from my Reel: how connectors work, how to set them up, what each one can do, and a prompt to copy for each.

01How connectors work (and how to add one)

A connector links Claude to another app you use. You sign in once, and Claude can then use that app inside your chats. It only sees what your own account can see in that app. Anthropic's help page says connectors from the directory are available to all users, on the web, desktop and mobile. So yes, the free plan works too.

Open Claude and go to Customize → Connectors. You can also click the + in the lower-left of a chat, hover over Connectors and choose Manage connectors.
Click the + next to Connectors to browse the directory.
Search for the app by name: Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion or Canva.
Open it, read the description, and click Connect.
Sign in to that app and allow access. Repeat for the next one.

021. Gmail: summarize threads and draft replies

The Gmail connector is made by Google. Its listing says it can draft replies, summarize threads and search your inbox. It reads whole threads, so Claude gets the full context before it writes anything.

Inbox catch-up prompt

Look at my Gmail from the last 3 days. Summarize the threads that need a reply from me, one line each, most urgent first. Then draft a short, friendly reply to the top one and save it as a draft. Don't send anything.

032. Google Calendar: find a free slot and book it

Claude can view your schedule, check your availability, find free time and create events. It can also update events and help you prepare for a meeting by looking at who's coming.

Book-a-meeting prompt

Check my Google Calendar for next week. Find two free 30-minute slots between 10am and 5pm on weekdays. Show them to me first. When I pick one, create the event called "[meeting name]" and add [email address] as a guest.

043. Notion: meeting notes straight into your pages

The Notion connector lets Claude search, read, create and edit content in your workspace. It can create pages, update pages, work with databases and add comments.

Meeting notes prompt

Here are my rough meeting notes: [paste notes]. Turn them into a clean summary with three parts: decisions, action items (with owner and due date) and open questions. Then create a new page in my Notion under [page name] with today's date in the title.

054. Canva: one prompt, a brand-new design

The Canva connector can generate new Canva designs right from your chat. It can also search, summarize and export your existing designs.

New design prompt

Create a Canva design for an Instagram post announcing [your event or product]. Headline: "[headline]". Style: clean, bright, lots of white space. Give me a few options I can open and edit in Canva.

06Good to know

Claude gets the same permissions you have in each app. It can't reach anything your account can't.
To disconnect, go to Customize → Connectors. You'll see every connected app there, and you can disconnect it or change its settings. If a connector stops working, disconnect and connect it again.
Data sent through connectors is encrypted. The connected apps process your data on their own servers under their own terms.
Directory connectors like these four work on every plan, including free. Free users can add only one custom connector (one you add by URL); paid plans don't have that limit.
On Team and Enterprise plans, an Owner has to add a connector for the organization first, then each person signs in with their own account.
Anthropic's advice: only use connectors from developers you trust.