Learn what Odoo MCP Connection does and how to set up your first AI connection in a few simple steps.
Overview
Odoo MCP Connection is an app that acts as a secure bridge between your Odoo business data and AI assistants such as Claude, ChatGPT, and custom AI agents.
Instead of giving AI tools direct database access, you create controlled access keys. Each key defines which Odoo user the AI acts as, which apps and data it can touch, and how fast it can make requests. Every action is recorded in an audit log.
Think of it like giving a trusted colleague a badge to enter specific rooms in your office – not the master key to the entire building.
How It Works
When an AI tool wants to read or update Odoo data, it sends a request to your Odoo server through a special connection point (the MCP endpoint). Odoo checks the API key, applies your permission rules, runs the action as the linked Odoo user, and logs the result.
- You create API keys and set permissions in Odoo.
- The AI tool uses the key to ask Odoo questions or make changes.
- Odoo enforces your rules and keeps a record of everything.
The main menu appears as Odoo MCP Connection in your Odoo apps list (administrator access required).
Step-by-Step Guide
Install the app. Go to Apps in Odoo, search for “MCP Connection”, and install it. You need administrator rights.
Open the menu. Click Odoo MCP Connection in the main menu. You will see sections for API Keys, Audit Logs, Portal Pages, and more.
Check settings. Go to Configuration → Settings and make sure Enable MCP Connection is turned on.
Create your first API key. Open API Keys → New. Give it a clear name (e.g. “Claude – Sales Team”), pick the Odoo user it should act as, and save.
Copy the token. After saving, copy the token shown on the key form. It is only visible once – store it safely.
Test the connection. On the key form, open the API Console tab and click Run API Test. A green success status means everything works.
Connect your AI tool. Paste the MCP endpoint URL and token into your AI client (or set up OAuth for Claude – see the OAuth chapter).
Main Menu Areas
| Menu Item | Description | Example Use |
|---|---|---|
API Keys |
Create and manage access keys for AI tools |
Key named “ChatGPT Finance” for your accountant user |
Audit Logs |
View history of all AI requests |
Check what Claude searched for yesterday |
Portal Pages |
Build public dashboards from Odoo data |
Sales KPI board shared with leadership |
Bulk Jobs |
Track large background AI operations |
Batch update of 500 product records |
Generated Modules |
Review AI-built Odoo apps |
Download a custom pet tracker module |
OAuth Clients |
Secure sign-in for Claude and similar tools |
Let sales managers connect Claude without tokens |
Configuration |
Global settings and built-in help |
Set rate limits and audit retention days |
Field Explanations
API Keys
Your starting point. Every AI connection needs a key. Keys tie an AI tool to a specific Odoo user account and its permissions.
Audit Logs
A running diary of AI activity. Use this to verify what was asked, what changed, and whether requests succeeded or failed.
Portal Pages
Shareable web dashboards anyone can open in a browser – great for executives who want live numbers without logging into Odoo.
Bulk Jobs
When AI needs to process many records at once, the work runs in the background. This screen shows progress and results.
Generated Modules
If AI creates a new Odoo app for you, it appears here as a downloadable package you can review before installing.
OAuth Clients
An easier, more secure way for tools like Claude to connect – users sign in through a browser instead of pasting long tokens.
Configuration
System-wide rules: turn the connector on or off, set speed limits, and control how long audit logs are kept.
Tips
- Start with a dedicated Odoo user for each AI key (e.g. “AI Assistant – Read Only”) instead of using your admin account. This keeps permissions clear and auditable.
- The app ships with demo portal pages (like Contact Intelligence and CRM Pipeline). Open them to see what live dashboards look like before building your own.
- If your Odoo server hosts multiple databases, always include the database name in connection URLs. The API Console on each key shows the correct full URL to copy.
Common Mistakes
- Using your personal admin key for everything: If the key is compromised or misused, the AI has full access. Create separate keys with limited users and permissions.
- Not copying the token when it first appears: The full token is hidden after you leave the page. If you lose it, useRotate Tokento generate a new one.
- Forgetting to enable the connector: If AI tools get errors, checkConfiguration → Settingsand confirmEnable MCP Connectionis on.