Basecamp
The Basecamp connector lets AI agents browse projects, manage to-dos, read message boards, and post comments — all through the Basecamp 3 REST API using OAuth 2.0. Your credentials are stored encrypted in MCPGate's vault and are never exposed to the AI client.
No delete tools
full_access preset cannot permanently remove data.Required scopes#
MCPGate requests the following OAuth scopes when you connect a Basecamp account.
| Scope | Purpose |
|---|---|
| basecamp:read | Read projects, todos, messages, and comments |
| basecamp:write | Create todos, complete todos, post messages and comments |
Tool reference#
The Basecamp connector exposes 10 tools: 6 read and 4 write.
| Tool | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| basecamp_list_projects | read | List all Basecamp projects accessible to the user |
| basecamp_get_project | read | Get details of a specific Basecamp project |
| basecamp_list_todos | read | List todos in a Basecamp todolist |
| basecamp_get_todo | read | Get a specific Basecamp todo by ID |
| basecamp_list_messages | read | List messages in a Basecamp project message board |
| basecamp_list_comments | read | List comments on a Basecamp recording |
| basecamp_create_todo | write | Create a new todo in a Basecamp todolist |
| basecamp_complete_todo | write | Mark a Basecamp todo as complete |
| basecamp_create_message | write | Create a new message in a Basecamp project message board |
| basecamp_create_comment | write | Add a comment to a Basecamp recording |
Common guardrail recipes#
Read-only access#
Enable only the six read tools and deny all write tools. Useful for project-status agents that report on todo progress and message board activity without being able to change anything.
Restrict to specific projects#
Apply the allow_values template to basecamp_create_todo, basecamp_create_message, and basecamp_create_comment. Target the project_id field and provide the list of project IDs the agent may write to.
Todo management only#
Enable basecamp_list_todos, basecamp_get_todo, basecamp_create_todo, and basecamp_complete_todo. Deny all message and comment tools. This scopes the agent purely to task tracking.
Troubleshooting#
- Recording not found— Basecamp uses the concept of "recordings" (a generic term for todos, messages, and other objects). The
recording_idmust match the type you are targeting. Usebasecamp_list_todosorbasecamp_list_messagesfirst to obtain valid IDs. - 403 on a project — Basecamp enforces project-level permissions. Ensure the connected user account is a member of the target project.
- Account ID required— Basecamp 3 API URLs include the account (company) ID. MCPGate fetches this automatically on connect, but if you see "account not found" errors, disconnect and reconnect to refresh it.