quickbooks-mcp — Claude Code MCP server: what it does, how to install
An MCP server connecting AI assistants to QuickBooks Online. It generates financial statements, parses vendor names directly, and previews record changes before writing.
claude mcp add --env QBO_CLIENT_ID=<QBO_CLIENT_ID> --env QBO_CLIENT_SECRET=<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET> --env QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE=<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE> --env QBO_SANDBOX=<QBO_SANDBOX> --transport stdio quickbooks-mcp -- npx -y quickbooks-mcpWhat quickbooks-mcp does
The server translates conversational instructions into QuickBooks Online requests. Instead of looking up database identifiers for vendors or accounts, it matches entity names directly from the prompt. It also consolidates entity searches into one SQL-compatible query command, skipping the need for dedicated lookup endpoints.
Built-in handlers pull Profit & Loss statements, balance sheets, and trial balances partitioned by date or tracking category. Write actions execute in a preview state first. That keeps unreviewed journal entries from altering live ledgers immediately.
Setup requires Node.js 18+ alongside an Intuit developer profile. Secrets sit in ~/.quickbooks-mcp/credentials.json or AWS Secrets Manager. Note that heavy payloads go to /tmp, which causes failures if the client environment lacks local filesystem access.
What it helps with
- generate P&L and balance sheet summaries inside the chat
- prepare bills by business name without hunting for Intuit identifiers
- inspect ledger entries using SQL queries across entity tables
- preview accounting modifications prior to committing them
Example prompts for the agent
- Draft a bill for PG&E for $450 under Utilities dated January 15, 2025
- Run a balance sheet report partitioned by month for this year
- Execute
SELECT * FROM Purchase WHERE TxnDate >= '2025-01-01'with the query tool
How to install quickbooks-mcp
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env QBO_CLIENT_ID=<QBO_CLIENT_ID> --env QBO_CLIENT_SECRET=<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET> --env QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE=<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE> --env QBO_SANDBOX=<QBO_SANDBOX> --transport stdio quickbooks-mcp -- npx -y quickbooks-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add quickbooks-mcp --env QBO_CLIENT_ID=<QBO_CLIENT_ID> --env QBO_CLIENT_SECRET=<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET> --env QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE=<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE> --env QBO_SANDBOX=<QBO_SANDBOX> -- npx -y quickbooks-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"quickbooks-mcp": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"quickbooks-mcp"
],
"env": {
"QBO_CLIENT_ID": "<QBO_CLIENT_ID>",
"QBO_CLIENT_SECRET": "<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET>",
"QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE": "<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE>",
"QBO_SANDBOX": "<QBO_SANDBOX>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"quickbooks-mcp": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"quickbooks-mcp"
],
"env": {
"QBO_CLIENT_ID": "<QBO_CLIENT_ID>",
"QBO_CLIENT_SECRET": "<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET>",
"QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE": "<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE>",
"QBO_SANDBOX": "<QBO_SANDBOX>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e QBO_CLIENT_ID=<QBO_CLIENT_ID> -e QBO_CLIENT_SECRET=<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET> -e QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE=<QBO_CREDENTIAL_MODE> -e QBO_SANDBOX=<QBO_SANDBOX> quickbooks-mcp npx -y quickbooks-mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about quickbooks-mcp
How to install quickbooks-mcp in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add quickbooks-mcp -e QBO_CLIENT_ID=<QBO_CLIENT_ID> -e QBO_CLIENT_SECRET=<QBO_CLIENT_SECRET> -- npx -y quickbooks-mcp. After that, trigger qbo_authenticate in the session to finish OAuth authorization in your browser.
What does quickbooks-mcp do?
It connects assistants like Claude Code to QuickBooks Online. Users can inspect ledgers, pull financial reports, and stage accounting transactions using natural dialogue.
How does this server differ from the official Intuit server?
The official project expects internal entity IDs and applies writes immediately. This integration resolves names automatically, includes financial statement tools, and defaults to draft previews.
