Claude Cowork

Claude Cowork can use remote MCP connectors and managed MCP server configuration depending on your deployment model. Add Iteration Layer as a remote MCP server to give Cowork access to Document Extraction, Document to Markdown, Website Extraction, Image Transformation, Image Generation, Document Generation, and Sheet Generation.

Use this when Cowork tasks need to process client documents, inspect source material, generate deliverables, or prepare structured outputs without switching tools.

Requirements

• Claude Cowork access
• Permission to add custom connectors or managed MCP servers for your organization
• An Iteration Layer account

The Iteration Layer MCP server uses OAuth 2.1. Prefer OAuth instead of static headers so each user authorizes access with their own Iteration Layer account.

MCP Server Endpoint

https://api.iterationlayer.com/mcp

Option 1: Add A Custom Connector

If your Claude Cowork plan supports custom remote MCP connectors, add Iteration Layer from the Claude connector settings:

1. Open Claude organization or connector settings.
2. Add a custom web connector.
3. Enter https://api.iterationlayer.com/mcp as the remote MCP server URL.
4. Use HTTP transport if a transport choice is required.
5. Enable OAuth if the connector setup asks how users should authenticate.
6. Connect the connector in the Cowork conversation or task where you want to use it.

After setup, each user authorizes Iteration Layer through the browser before Cowork can call the tools.

Option 2: Deploy A Managed MCP Server

Claude Cowork deployments managed through MDM can distribute remote MCP servers with managedMcpServers.

Add an entry like this to your managed configuration:

[
  {
    "name": "iterationlayer",
    "url": "https://api.iterationlayer.com/mcp",
    "transport": "http",
    "oauth": true,
    "toolPolicy": {
      "convert_document_to_markdown": "allow",
      "extract_document": "ask",
      "extract_website": "ask",
      "transform_image": "allow",
      "generate_image": "ask",
      "generate_document": "ask",
      "generate_sheet": "ask"
    }
  }
]

Use ask for tools that process client files or generate outputs if your organization wants explicit approval before those tool calls run.

Verify The Connection

Start a Cowork task or conversation with the connector enabled, then ask:

Which Iteration Layer tools can you use?

Claude should list tools such as:

• convert_document_to_markdown
• extract_document
• extract_website
• transform_image
• generate_image
• generate_document
• generate_sheet

First Workflow

Try a workflow that uses both reading and generation:

Read these client discovery notes and the attached PDF brief. Extract the client name, goals, deliverables, timeline, risks, and unanswered questions. Then generate a polished kickoff summary as a PDF.

Cowork can use convert_document_to_markdown for context, extract_document for typed fields, and generate_document for the final deliverable.

Good Claude Cowork Workflows

Claude Cowork is a strong fit for longer-running work where the agent needs context, files, and external tools.

Common workflows:

• Client deliverable drafting from briefs, PDFs, spreadsheets, and images
• Research assistant workflows that turn PDFs into summaries, tables, and reports
• Operations workflows that extract supplier documents and generate approval memos
• Agency workflows that standardize document processing across client projects

Security Guidance

For organization-managed deployments:

• Use OAuth for user-specific access.
• Use toolPolicy to require approval for extraction and generation tools.
• Disable local development MCP servers if your organization only allows managed connectors.
• Document which client data may be sent to external processors before enabling the connector broadly.

Iteration Layer processes files on EU-hosted infrastructure with zero data retention. See Account Policies and Credits & Pricing for operational details.

Troubleshooting

The connector appears but tools are not available in Cowork

Make sure the connector is enabled for the specific conversation or Cowork task. Some Claude surfaces require enabling connectors per conversation.

OAuth fails

Confirm the managed server entry uses oauth: true and does not also set static headers. Claude’s managed MCP schema treats headers and OAuth as mutually exclusive.

Cowork cannot reach the server

Remote MCP connectors must be reachable over HTTPS. Use https://api.iterationlayer.com/mcp exactly.

Tool approval is too noisy

Adjust toolPolicy. Keep approval prompts for tools that process client files or generate external deliverables, and allow low-risk tools if your policy permits it.