BuildBook MCP Server

npx add-mcp 'https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1/buildbook'

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BuildBook API and MCP server: Let your AI agent keep the remodel paperwork moving.

BuildBook publishes no public API. Its site and Help Center show no developer documentation, API keys or API pricing, and no BuildBook MCP server or official ChatGPT or Claude connector was verified.

BuildBook publishes no public API and no MCP server (checked 13 Nov 2026). Cotlet runs a hosted BuildBook MCP server with 30 tools that ChatGPT, Claude and your scripts use in your own BuildBook account. Estimates, change orders, invoices and anything a homeowner sees wait for your OK.

• Free 7-day trial, no card
• Unofficial, not affiliated with BuildBook
• Page: https://cotlet.dev/integrations/buildbook-api-mcp-server

What can your AI agent do in BuildBook?

• Turn a new lead into a draft estimate
• List overdue tasks across active jobs
• Post today's daily log for the homeowner
• Prepare the weekly job cost report
• Send a change order or selection for approval
• Draft the next progress invoice

Does BuildBook have an MCP server or an API?

• The BuildBook Help Center documents browser workflows: opportunities, estimates, projects, schedules, tasks, daily logs, financials, selections, people and the portfolio.
• Its one documented integration is QuickBooks Online, which syncs bills, expenses and invoices whose cost codes are matched.
• Clients follow a project on their own Client Dashboard; they approve change orders and selections from an email or in BuildBook.

What you need	BuildBook official	By hand	Cotlet
Ask ChatGPT or Claude to do the work	No MCP server or connector	Copy and paste	Hosted MCP server
Estimates, change orders and invoices	No public API	One screen at a time	30 tools, writes after your OK
Bills and expenses into accounting	QuickBooks Online sync	Typed in by hand	Entered in BuildBook; the sync stays yours
Run from n8n or a script	No public API	Manual only	REST, same key

Checked 13 Nov 2026. Sources: BuildBook, BuildBook pricing, BuildBook Help Center, Help: Connect BuildBook to QuickBooks Online, Help: Roles and Permissions in BuildBook, Help: Pro Dashboard, Help: Client Dashboard, Help: How to Create an Opportunity, Help: Create and Edit an Estimate, Help: Share Your Estimate, Help: Convert an Opportunity into a Project, Help: Create and Manage Projects, Help: Using Daily Logs, Help: Create a Task, Help: Build Your Schedule, Help: Working with Dependencies, Help: Managing Financials, Help: Create Bills & Expenses, Help: Change Orders, Help: Change Order Approvals, Help: Create Invoices, Help: Send Selection for Approval, Help: Setting Up Your Portfolio

How does the BuildBook MCP server work?

1. Log in to BuildBook. Once, in a browser we host for you.
2. Connect your AI agent. One address in its settings.
3. Hand it the office work. Draft the estimate, then approve it.

Your agent works in your own signed-in Cloud Browser. Writes, and anything a homeowner, sub or vendor would see, wait for your OK.

How to connect BuildBook to your AI agent

1. Sign in to BuildBook in a Cloud Browser. Open app.buildbook.co in your Cotlet Cloud Browser and log in with your own BuildBook user.
2. Add the Cotlet address. Enter https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1 as the MCP server or connector URL in your agent.
3. Let the agent in. Chat apps open a Cotlet sign-in page. Editors, n8n and scripts send an API key made in the console.

BuildBook uses the shared address https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1, the same one as every other app you turn on, so a single connector reaches them all. Enabled BuildBook after connecting? Refresh the connector to load the 30 BuildBook tools.

ChatGPT:

Settings > Apps & Connectors > Create
MCP server URL: https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1/connect
Authentication: OAuth

Claude:

Settings > Connectors > Add custom connector
URL: https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1/connect

Claude Code:
claude mcp add --transport http cotlet \
  https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1 \
  --header "Authorization: Bearer $COTLET_API_KEY"

Cursor:

// ~/.cursor/mcp.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "cotlet": {
      "url": "https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1",
      "headers": { "Authorization": "Bearer ${env:COTLET_API_KEY}" }
    }
  }
}

Codex:

# ~/.codex/config.toml
[mcp_servers.cotlet]
url = "https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1"
bearer_token_env_var = "COTLET_API_KEY"

n8n:

MCP Client Tool (inside an AI Agent)
Transport: HTTP Streamable
URL: https://cotlet.dev/mcp/v1
Auth: Bearer, <your key>
Tool: buildbook_read

All 30 BuildBook MCP tools

Grouped from the owner workflows of the BuildBook Help Center. Read tools run at once. Write tools take an action; list and get only read, the other actions change BuildBook and ask first.

Dashboards, search and chat

Read only. The Pro Dashboard, a project's Up Next and activity feed, the client's view, Global Search and project chat.

• Read the Pro Dashboard (view_pro_dashboard, read): Read the Pro Dashboard: Up Next, Tasks and Latest Activity across your projects and opportunities.
• Read project activity (view_project_activity, read): Read a project's Home tab: Up Next items and the Project Activity Feed.
• See what the client sees (view_client_dashboard, read): Read a project as your client sees it on their BuildBook Client Dashboard.
• Search across projects (search_projects, read): Search project names, task names, opportunities and logs with BuildBook's Global Search.
• Read project chat (read_project_chat, read): Read a project's Team Chat or Client Chat and the comments on its items.
• List people (list_people, read): List your BuildBook People with name, type, company and role.

Leads and estimates

From a new opportunity to the proposal the homeowner reads. Items come from your Price Book with their cost codes.

• Create opportunities (manage_opportunities, write, asks first): List or create opportunities, or convert one into a project.
• Create and share estimates (manage_estimates, write, asks first): List estimates, create or edit one, or share it with the client as a proposal.
• Set estimate defaults (configure_estimate_defaults, write, asks first): Set the default cover image, team info, About Us, contract and scope of work for new estimates.
• Manage the Price Book and cost codes (manage_price_book, write, asks first): List or add Price Book items and cost codes, or export cost codes for QuickBooks Online matching.
• Manage tax rates (manage_tax_rates, write, asks first): List, add or set the default tax rate for estimates and budgets.

Projects, schedules and tasks

Create the project, lay out phases and dependencies, assign tasks and keep the daily log and files current.

• Create projects (manage_projects, write, asks first): List projects, create one or change its settings.
• Create project templates (manage_project_templates, write, asks first): List templates, save a project as a template, or add one from the Template Gallery.
• Build project schedules (manage_schedule, write, asks first): Add or change phases and scheduled tasks, or set how dependencies move the schedule.
• Read the schedule (view_schedule, read): Read one project's schedule, or the Global Schedule across projects and active opportunities.
• Create and assign tasks (manage_tasks, write, asks first): List, create, assign, copy, bulk edit or share a project's tasks.
• Customize task statuses (manage_task_statuses, write, asks first): List, add, rename or delete the task statuses used across all projects.
• Export a task report (print_tasks, read): Build a printable task report of a project, as BuildBook's Print option does.
• Post daily logs (manage_daily_logs, write, asks first): Read a project's daily logs, post a new one or share it with the client.
• Upload project files (manage_project_files, write, asks first): List a project's files and folders, upload files or make a folder.
• Invite people (invite_people, write, asks first): Invite Pro Team members to your account, or collaborators and clients to a project.

Job costs

Budget lines, bills, expenses and imported card transactions, with the Financials summary and the budget report.

• Read project financials (view_project_financials, read): Read a project's Financials summary: Cost, Estimated and Price, with change orders, credits and paid invoices.
• Create budgets (manage_budget, write, asks first): Read a project's Budget tab or add items from the Price Book or from scratch.
• Add bills and expenses (manage_bills_and_expenses, write, asks first): List bills and expenses, add one split across budget lines, or import card transactions.
• Export a budget report (export_budget_report, read): Export a project's budget report with the sections you choose, or its budget as a spreadsheet.
• Add vendors (manage_vendors, write, asks first): List vendors, add one, or update its details and notes.

Client approvals and billing

Everything here reaches the homeowner or changes what they pay. Drafting and sending are separate actions.

• Create change orders (manage_change_orders, write, asks first): List change orders, create one with line items, request client approval or mark it approved.
• Send selections for approval (manage_selections, write, asks first): List selections, add a category or option, or send a selection to the client for approval.
• Create and send invoices (manage_invoices, write, asks first): List invoices, create a draft, change its status or send it to the client.

Portfolio

Your public page for leads: headline, collections of project photos, services and testimonials.

• Update the portfolio (manage_portfolio, write, asks first): Edit your public Portfolio: headline, featured image, collections, services, testimonials and contact details.

Inputs, REST path and example response of every tool: https://cotlet.dev/integrations/buildbook-api-mcp-server#tools

Who can see my BuildBook session, and how do I revoke it?

• What we store. Your signed-in BuildBook browser profile, AES-256-GCM encrypted, in Finland. Never your password.
• What your agent gets. The 30 BuildBook tools. The session cookie stays in the Cloud Browser.
• What the session sees. The projects and financials your BuildBook role and project permissions open. Global Estimates and Invoices need an Admin or Owner.
• What no tool touches. Account settings, roles and permissions, notifications, and the QuickBooks Online connection and sync.
• If BuildBook signs you out. You log in again yourself, in the same Cloud Browser.
• How to cut access. Disable BuildBook for agents, reset the browser, or change your BuildBook password.

You type your BuildBook password yourself; the agent only uses the session that login leaves behind. Our site scores A+ on Qualys SSL Labs, securityheaders.com and Mozilla Observatory (live results).

What happens when BuildBook changes?

BuildBook keeps adding to its screens: its Help Center describes the new document-style change orders and the global Bills & Expenses page. Cotlet updates the BuildBook server when those screens change, with nothing for you to redeploy.

The agent works with your user's permissions. A collaborator login without Financials access gives the agent no invoices or bills either.

If BuildBook logs you out, one click in the Cotlet console reopens the Cloud Browser so you can log in again.

Approvals, undo and mistakes

1. Read the Price Book. manage_price_book lists items and cost codes.
2. Draft the estimate. Items, quantities and total, shown to you first.
3. Save after your OK. manage_estimates saves it as a Draft.
4. Share when you say. A separate share call sends the proposal.

Action	How to put it right
Task, phase or project details	Call manage_tasks, manage_schedule or manage_projects again with the earlier values
Invoice still in Draft	Edit it; only Draft invoices can change
Change order sent for approval	Cancel the request in BuildBook, then edit and send again
Selection sent for approval	Locked until the client approves or declines; talk to them
Invoice already sent	With your client now: move it back to Draft or Void and explain

All 20 write tools ask first: by default you confirm each call, and you can switch that off per tool. The 10 read tools, from the Pro Dashboard to the budget report, run at once.

MCP call:

{
  "name": "manage_estimates",
  "arguments": {
    "action": "create",
    "opportunity": "Maple Street bath remodel",
    "source": "price_book",
    "items": [
      {
        "name": "Demolition",
        "cost_code": "02-100",
        "type": "Labor",
        "quantity": 1,
        "unit_price": 1800
      },
      {
        "name": "Floor and wall tile",
        "cost_code": "09-300",
        "type": "Material",
        "quantity": 85,
        "unit_price": 22
      },
      {
        "name": "Vanity install",
        "cost_code": "06-400",
        "type": "Labor",
        "quantity": 1,
        "unit_price": 950
      }
    ]
  }
}

REST:

curl -X POST https://cotlet.dev/api/v1/buildbook/estimates/manage \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $COTLET_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"action":"create","opportunity":"Maple Street bath remodel","source":"price_book","items":[{"name":"Demolition","cost_code":"02-100","type":"Labor","quantity":1,"unit_price":1800},{"name":"Floor and wall tile","cost_code":"09-300","type":"Material","quantity":85,"unit_price":22},{"name":"Vanity install","cost_code":"06-400","type":"Labor","quantity":1,"unit_price":950}]}'

Response:

{
  "opportunity": "Maple Street bath remodel",
  "estimate": "Version 1",
  "status": "Draft",
  "items": 3,
  "total": 4620
}

The example prices demolition at $1,800, 85 sq ft of tile at $22 and the vanity install at $950: $4,620 in all, saved as a Draft. A cron job or n8n flow can make the same call over REST at /api/v1/buildbook with the same key and price, in JSON. Failed calls are free.

How much does the BuildBook MCP server cost?

About $23 a month for a remodeler running two jobs at a time, 4,000 credits. Your BuildBook plan stays as it is.

Job	Calls	Credits
Morning dashboard and overdue check	2 × 20	400
Daily log on two jobs	2 × 20	400
Task updates and assignments	2 × 20	400
Bills and expenses entered	1 × 40	400
Friday job cost report	6 × 4	240
Schedule moves	2 × 8	160
New lead to draft estimate	3 × 6	180
Selections sent for approval	2 × 6	120
Change orders and invoices	2 × 10	200
Cloud Browser, 30 days		1,500
Total	250 calls	4,000

The smallest pack, 5,000 credits for $29, covers this month with room to spare. More jobs at once means more calls.

• Free 7-day trial, no card
• 10 credits per successful call, MCP or REST
• 50 credits a day for the Cloud Browser
• Your BuildBook plan and role apply as they are

Credit packs are one-time purchases, not a subscription. The month above is built from our own assumptions, not measured customer usage.

BuildBook MCP server: other ways to connect

Option	What it does	Where it stops
QuickBooks Online sync	BuildBook's own link: pushes bills, expenses and invoices with matched cost codes.	Accounting only; nothing for estimates, schedules or an AI agent.
Client Dashboard	Homeowners follow updates, the schedule and selections themselves.	For your clients, not a way to automate your office.
By hand	Open each project in BuildBook and click through.	One screen at a time, only while you are at the desk.

If BuildBook ever publishes an API that covers your job, use it: it is the vendor's own route. Until then Cotlet is how ChatGPT, Claude or a script works in BuildBook from your own login, with nothing to host.

Who runs Cotlet

Take Group sp. z o.o. runs Cotlet: a software company registered in Poland, EU (VAT PL6342984273), trading since 2019 and led by Bart Krawczyk (Co-founder, CTO) and Jake Slugocki (Co-founder, SEO, sales and marketing). Questions about the BuildBook tools go to contact@cotlet.dev.

BuildBook MCP server: questions

How do I get access?

Sign up free at https://cotlet.dev/signup?app=buildbook, turn on BuildBook under Integrations in the console and log in at https://app.buildbook.co/ in your Cloud Browser. Then connect your AI agent and ask it about a project. The trial needs no card.

Does BuildBook have an API?

BuildBook publishes no public API: its site and Help Center show no developer documentation, API keys or API pricing (checked 13 Nov 2026). No BuildBook MCP server or official ChatGPT or Claude connector was verified; its documented integration is QuickBooks Online. Cotlet does not need one: it works in your own signed-in BuildBook account.

Which BuildBook role does the agent need?

The one the job needs in BuildBook. Global Estimates and Global Invoices are for Pro Team Admins and Owners, the global Bills & Expenses page for admins, and invoices for the Pro Team and collaborators with Everything on Financials. The agent inherits whatever your user has.

Does Cotlet change my QuickBooks Online sync?

No. BuildBook documents its own QuickBooks Online connection, sync settings and cost code matching in its Help Center. No Cotlet tool connects, unlinks or changes that sync; manage_price_book can only export your cost codes for matching.

Can the agent message my client?

Only through actions that already reach clients in BuildBook: sharing an estimate, a daily log or a task, requesting approval of a change order or selection, and sending an invoice. Each waits for your OK. read_project_chat reads the chat and never posts.

Is the MCP server different from the REST API?

Only in how it is called. Both carry the same 30 tools, inputs, answers, API key and price. Agents use MCP; scripts and n8n HTTP steps use REST.

Is Cotlet affiliated with BuildBook?

No. Cotlet is independent and not affiliated with BuildBook.

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