The ShipHero AI Toolkit connects AI assistants like Claude and ChatGPT directly to your ShipHero account. Ask about inventory levels, order status, shipments, or purchase orders in plain language, and with write access granted, have your agent create orders, adjust inventory, and process returns without logging in.
The toolkit offers two ways to connect: the ShipHero MCP and the ShipHero Public API Skill. MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard that lets AI assistants connect to outside data sources, like ShipHero, in a secure way. The Public API Skill is a package you install in a coding agent that adds ShipHero-specific API guidance for advanced queries and integration work.
Before You Begin
The ShipHero user you connect with needs API access enabled. An administrator grants it on the Users page by selecting Enable API Access for that user. Users do not have API access by default, so check this setting first if a connection fails or returns no data. See How to Create and Manage Users in ShipHero.
Important
When you grant write access, a single prompt can change live orders, inventory, shipments, returns, and billing data. The ShipHero MCP instructs your agent to preview proposed changes and ask for confirmation before it writes, but this is a best-effort safeguard. Confirmation behavior depends on the AI client and model you choose, so ShipHero cannot guarantee it. Review every proposed action before you approve it, especially bulk operations and deletions.
ShipHero AI Toolkit Key Features
| Option | Best For | Where It Works |
|---|---|---|
| ShipHero MCP | ShipHero lookups and actions of any complexity, from checking inventory levels and order holds to creating orders and adjusting stock, as long as the ShipHero Public API supports it. | Any AI client that supports MCP, including Claude, ChatGPT, and Codex. |
| ShipHero Public API Skill | Building custom integrations and writing code that calls the ShipHero API directly. | Agent coding tools such as Codex, Claude Code, and Cursor. |
ShipHero MCP Access Levels
You choose the access level when you connect the ShipHero MCP. Write access is optional, and you can keep using the MCP in read-only mode whenever you do not want your agent to make changes. When you connected the ShipHero MCP before selectable access levels were released, follow the steps in Updating an Existing ShipHero MCP Connection.
- Read-only: Your agent can ask questions and query your ShipHero data. It cannot create, update, or delete records.
- Read and write: Your agent can create, update, and delete any data supported by the ShipHero Public API, in addition to querying it.
The ShipHero Public API Skill is read-only. It can retrieve ShipHero data, but it cannot create, update, or delete records in your account. Access levels apply to the ShipHero MCP only.
Actions Your Agent Can Take with the ShipHero MCP
When you grant write access, your agent can take the following actions. Each one can run on its own or as part of a multi-step workflow that chains several Public API operations together.
- Add 3PL charges
- Adjust inventory
- Build kits
- Create orders
- Create purchase orders
- Create warehouse transfers
- Move stock
- Process returns and exchanges
- Record shipments
- Resolve holds
When the ShipHero Public API supports an operation, your agent can help you do it from a prompt.
Get Started with the ShipHero AI Toolkit
Setup steps vary by AI client and account type. For full installation instructions for the ShipHero MCP and the Public API Skill, including Claude, ChatGPT, and Codex setup, see the ShipHero AI Toolkit developer guide.
Pro-Tip
Keep your prompts specific. Ask for the exact SKU, order number, date range, or warehouse you need. Specific prompts use fewer API credits and return more accurate answers.
Updating an Existing ShipHero MCP Connection
To use write access on an existing ShipHero MCP connection, uninstall the MCP in your AI client and install it again. Authenticating again does not work. Steps vary by AI client, so see the ShipHero AI Toolkit developer guide.
Building a custom integration instead of using the Public API Skill? See Overview: ShipHero API Developer Resources and How to Obtain API Access and Refresh Tokens for GraphQL API access and token setup.