Let Claude access a Manus-built app

You let Claude access a Manus-built app the same way you’d let it access any custom API: expose your Manus app via HTTPS, then define that API as a tool/connector for Claude, either via MCP (desktop/CLI) or the Anthropic API’s “tools” interface.[1][2][3][4]

Step 1: Expose your Manus app API #

1. In Manus, make sure your app has:

• A stable HTTPS base URL and documented endpoints (e.g. POST /run-report, GET /status).[2][1]
• Auth set up (API key, bearer token, or similar) and confirmed via something like a curl quickstart.[5][6]

1. Test the endpoint manually so you know the request/response JSON your app expects and returns.[1][2]

Step 2: Decide how Claude will call it #

There are two main routes; pick one:

• A. From your own backend using Anthropic API tool use

1. In your server, define a Claude tool whose schema matches your Manus endpoint parameters (JSON in, JSON out).[3][4]
2. When Claude chooses that tool, your backend makes the actual HTTP call to the Manus app, passing along the arguments.
3. Return Manus’s response to Claude as the tool result so it can reason over it.

• B. Via MCP / Integrations (desktop app or Claude UI “Integrations/Skills”)

1. Implement a small MCP server that exposes your Manus app as one or more tools (each tool wraps a Manus endpoint).[7][8]
2. Configure base URL and auth header for Manus inside that MCP server or connector config.[6][9]
3. Register that MCP server with Claude (desktop or hosted environment) so Claude can invoke those tools interactively.[8][7]

Step 3: Define clear tool schemas and descriptions #

• Give each tool a human-readable name and a precise description of what it does so Claude knows when to call it.[4]
• Define a JSON schema for inputs that matches your Manus app parameters (e.g. customer_id, query, mode).[3][4]
• If your Manus app can perform multiple actions, either:
• Expose several narrower endpoints/tools, or
• Use an action field with an enum in your tool schema.

Step 4: Handle auth and secrets safely #

• Store MANUS_API_KEY or other credentials in env vars or a secrets manager; never hard‑code them.[5][6]
• Your tool implementation (or MCP server) should inject auth headers when calling Manus, not Claude itself.[2][6][1]

Step 5: Give Claude usage instructions #

• In your system / developer prompt, briefly explain when to use each Manus tool, e.g.
  “Use the run_manus_workflow tool whenever the user asks for X, Y, or Z; the tool returns a JSON result you should summarize for the user.”[4][3]
• Then run a few test conversations and refine tool descriptions or schemas based on Claude’s behavior.

If you tell me whether you want to call the Manus app from a backend you control (server-side) or directly from your local Claude desktop via MCP, I can draft concrete example code and config in the style you’re using (Node/TS, Python, or something else).

Sources
[1] Manus Documentation – Manus API https://manus.im/docs/integrations/manus-api
[2] Overview – Manus API https://open.manus.im/docs
[3] Anthropic’s Claude gains ability to use external tools and APIs https://sdtimes.com/ai/anthropics-claude-gains-ability-to-use-external-tools-and-apis/
[4] Claude 3 integrates external tools for enhanced functionality https://www.facebook.com/groups/aifire.co/posts/1450870185518286/
[5] Quickstart – Manus API https://open.manus.im/docs/quickstart
[6] Manus – AI/ML API Documentation https://docs.aimlapi.com/integrations/manus
[7] Anthropic lets users connect more apps to Claude – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2025/05/01/anthropic-lets-you-connect-apps-to-claude/
[8] The NEW Way to Connect Claude to Any App (It’s Easy) – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0u5jmA24ng
[9] Overview – Manus API https://open.manus.im/docs/connectors
[10] Overview – Manus API https://open.manus.im/docs/integrations
[11] Comparing Claude and Manus AI for content creation and workflow https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jsukarangsan_i-can-see-how-manus-ai-is-going-to-be-a-game-activity-7359243843084406784-7Fjw
[12] Manus AI tutorial: build a MONETIZED full-stack app … – YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkT2PY-e83g
[13] I reverse-engineered the workflow that made Manus worth $2B and … https://www.reddit.com/r/ClaudeAI/comments/1q2p03x/i_reverseengineered_the_workflow_that_made_manus/
[14] Build and share AI-powered apps with Claude https://simonwillison.net/2025/Jun/25/ai-powered-apps-with-claude/
[15] LIVE: VS Code + Claude Code + FREE Cowork Alternative + Manus … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HedChJAZC4