# How to give Claude or ChatGPT access to a set of documents

Upload the documents to a Base, then connect Base to your AI app once. In Claude, add Base from the connector directory. In ChatGPT and other apps, add the connector URL https://createbases.com/api/mcp. From then on your AI can search every Base you own or were sent and read the source behind each answer, without uploading the files to each conversation.

Updated October 7, 2026. Canonical page: https://createbases.com/guides/connect-documents-to-ai

## Steps

1. Create a Base from the [home page](https://createbases.com/) and add the documents: PDF, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, CSV, plain text, Markdown and images, up to 50 MB per file.
2. In Claude, open Customize, then Connectors, then Browse connectors, find Base and press Connect.
3. In ChatGPT, Grok or any app that accepts a custom MCP connector, add `https://createbases.com/api/mcp` and leave every OAuth field blank.
4. In Claude Code, run `claude mcp add --transport http base https://createbases.com/api/mcp`. For other coding agents, `npx base-knowledge init` sets up the connector and the skills.
5. Sign in with the one-time link Base emails you, then press Allow on the consent screen.
6. Ask your AI about the documents. It searches the Base, answers with the quotes it used, and can open the full source when you ask.

## Why connect instead of uploading to each chat

- The documents are read once, into facts with quotes, a timeline and the people and organizations involved. Your AI searches that instead of rereading every file in every conversation, which uses fewer tokens.
- Every Base you own or were sent is in one place, from every AI app you connect.
- When you update a document, the next answer uses the new version.
- A connector can be revoked. A file pasted into a chat cannot be taken back.

## What the connector can and cannot do

It reads only Bases you own, belong to, follow or were sent, and every request is checked against the access the owner set. Tools that change what readers see, cut off access or post in your name are marked so your AI app asks before running them. You can review and revoke connected apps at any time under Settings, AI connections.

## Questions

### Is the connector free?

Yes. Connecting, reading and searching are free on every plan, including Free.

### Can my AI create a Base for me?

Yes. Connected, an AI can create a Base, add documents and publish it, then hand you the share link.

### Does this work with a coding agent?

Yes. Run `npx base-knowledge init` to set up Claude Code, Codex, Cursor and similar agents, or add the connector at `https://createbases.com/api/mcp` yourself. The [agents page](https://createbases.com/agents) lists the tools and limits.