Section 9: Integration scenarios with Claude + MCP

Scenario 85: Using a local contract folder together with a cloud supplier list

Level: Intermediate · Tools: Claude Desktop, local Desktop Extension, remote MCP connector, Notion or another approved cloud service

Who and in what situation

Procurement specialist Selin wants to compare the quotation PDFs on her computer with the company’s cloud-based Notion supplier list and flag missing documents.

How it is done today

Selin opens the PDF folder, searches for the Notion pages in a separate browser tab and manually compares supplier codes. She checks the result twice before writing it back to Notion.

How to do it with AI

  1. Choose a Desktop Extension for local files or a desktop application, and a remote connector for a cloud service. The official guide recommends using a desktop extension for local files and localhost databases, and a remote connector for SaaS applications. [159]
  2. Install the company-approved local extension through Settings > Desktop app > Manage > Extensions. If a custom package has been provided, upload the .mcpb file using Install Extension…. [153]
  3. Add the Notion connector through Customize > Connectors > + and grant access only to the required workspace. [156]
  4. In the chat, first say, “Read the PDF folder and the Notion supplier table, and produce a matching table.” Remember that local files and remote services have different permission and network boundaries. [146] [159]
  5. After approving the list of missing documents, generate the update to be written to Notion as a separate draft; enable the write tool only after the final check.

Example prompt

Only read the quotations in {PDF_FOLDER} and the records in {DATABASE_NAME} in Notion. Match the supplier code, quotation date and missing document fields. List conflicts separately. Do not add, update or delete records in Notion without my explicit approval.

Evidence and real-world example

The official documentation explains that Claude can use remote and local MCP connections through separate interfaces, and that plugins can include remote or local servers. No published customer case was found for this contract and supplier comparison; the scenario was derived from feature documentation. [146] [159]

Points to consider

The connection to the remote server is made from the Anthropic cloud; the folder on the local computer is accessed through the Desktop Extension. Connect files containing contracts and personal data only to company-approved servers. Review the permissions requested by the remote connector, the file paths in the local extension and each write action separately. [146] [153]

Sources for this scenario

  1. Get started with custom connectors using remote MCP (support.claude.com)
  2. Getting Started with Local MCP Servers on Claude Desktop (support.claude.com)
  3. Use connectors to extend Claude's capabilities (support.claude.com)
  4. When to use desktop and web connectors (support.claude.com)