1. My goal:
I want to understand how Claude and MCP servers work together inside Retool, specifically around credit usage and data privacy/access scope.
2. Issue:
When I connect an MCP server to Claude in Retool and build an app with it, I can't tell whether the usage draws from my own Claude/Anthropic credits thats included with my Claude plan or from Retool AI credits. I would also like some info on the privacy settings for MCP connections. What data or schemas Retool/Claude can see once a server is connected, and how access is scoped to specific resources rather than everything available if possible.
3. Steps I've taken to troubleshoot:
Checked the app builder settings for any credit/usage breakdown, didn't find a clear answer
Looked for documentation on MCP privacy/permissions within Retool, couldn't find detail on schema-level or resource-level access control
From your description, it sounds like you are using Claude to utilize Retool's own MCP server to build apps.
If so, your usage will draw from both your own Claude/Anthropic credits (from prompting Claude to communicate with Retool's MCP server), and Retool AI credits (to make app edits). You can monitor Retool AI credit usage in Settings > Plans and Billing under the “Usage” tab.
As for security/privacy settings, access is entirely user-scoped. When you authenticate the MCP as a specific user, you are tied to your own user permissions. It will also follow any user permissions that your Admin(s) in your Retool organization had already set up for your account. This doc about MCP tools may be helpful!
FYI, we are actively thinking about allowing a direct building tool to go build apps directly in Retool via a CLI/skill, which is exciting! No timeline on when this will be released yet, but keep an eye out in Retool Annoucements for any new updates.
Hope this helps! Let me know if you need anything else!
Just wanted to mention here that the “dual credit usage” is making us reconsider retool as our internal dashboard tool altogether. We’ve really enjoyed retool up until this point, but it’s also not that much more difficult to have CC spin up a flash dashboard either.
Very interested in the direct build tool (what would keep us on retool)
Completely understandable to have concerns with dual credit usage - just know that I am passing along your feedback internally and will keep you all posted with any new updates about this!
