Integration · Company data

Connect Claude & ChatGPT to eLabNext ELN

Ask your AI where a sample is stored, what an experiment says, or which protocol to follow, and get the answer from your eLabNext ELN. It can search projects, studies, experiments, samples, storage and protocols, and look up anything by barcode. It can also create studies, experiments, sections and samples, write section text and manage tasks.

Connect eLabNext ELN free

Free plan, no credit card. Takes about a minute.

Try asking

“Where is sample PCR-0412 stored?”
The AI searches samples by name and reads the sample with its type, location, quantity and owner.
“What does barcode 100234987 belong to?”
It looks up the barcode and tells you whether it is a sample or a storage location, with its details.
“Create an experiment called Western blot run 3 in the Protein expression study.”
It finds the study ID and creates the experiment in that study, optionally from a template.

What your AI can do

Experiments and protocols

Search projects, studies, experiments and protocols, read experiment sections, and create studies, experiments and sections.

Samples and storage

Search and read samples, their custom fields and storage units, list what is in a compartment and look up any barcode.

Tasks

List tasks by status, assignee, sample, storage or date, and create or update tasks.

“Summarize the notes in experiment 5521.”
It lists the experiment's sections and reads the text content of each one.
“Which samples are in box B3 in freezer 2?”
It finds the storage unit and compartment, then lists the samples stored in that compartment.
“Give Maria a task to thaw the HeLa stock by Friday.”
It creates a task with title, contents, due date and assignee, with status ASSIGNED.

29 tools for eLabNext ELN

These tools are switched on when you connect. You can switch any of them off, or require your approval before it runs.

add_experiment_sectionChanges dataAdd a section to an experiment by `experiment_id` with `section_header` and `section_type` (e.g. PARAGRAPH, PROCEDURE, NOTES, COMMENT, DATATABLE).
create_experimentChanges dataCreate an experiment with `name` in a study (`study_id`), optionally from a template (`template_id`) and with a `status`.
create_sampleChanges dataCreate a sample with `name` and `sample_type_id`, plus optional `description`, `note`, `sample_metas` (field values), `storage_layer_id` and `position` for its location, and `expiration_date`.
create_studyChanges dataCreate a study with `name` in a project (`project_id`), with optional `description` and `notes`.
create_taskChanges dataCreate a task with `title`, `contents`, `due` date, `assignee_id` and `status` (ASSIGNED, PROGRESS or COMPLETED).
find_by_barcodeLook up what a `barcode` belongs to, such as a sample or storage location.
get_current_userGet the connected eLabNext user's own profile and active group.
get_experimentGet one experiment by `experiment_id`, with its name, status and study.
get_protocolGet one protocol by `prot_id`, with its steps and version.
get_sampleGet one sample by `sample_id`, with its type, location, quantity and owner.
get_sectionGet one experiment section by `exp_journal_id` (the section ID), with its type and header.
get_section_contentGet the text content of an experiment section by `exp_journal_id`.
get_storage_unitGet one storage unit by `storage_id`.
get_taskGet one task by `task_id`.
list_compartment_samplesList the samples stored in one compartment by `storage_layer_id`, optionally filtered by `name` or `sample_type_id`.
list_experiment_sectionsList the sections (paragraphs, procedures, files, samples and so on) of an experiment by `experiment_id`. Use this to find a section ID.
list_sample_fieldsList the custom field values (meta) of a sample by `sample_id`.
list_tasksList tasks, filtered by `status`, `assignee`, `sample_id`, `storage_id` or a date range (`after_date`, `before_date`).
search_experimentsSearch experiments by `search` (name or contents) or `search_name`, filtered by `project_id`, `study_id` or created dates. Paginated with `page` and `records`.
search_projectsSearch projects by `search` or `search_name`. Use this to find a project ID.
search_protocolsSearch protocols by `search`. Use this to find a protocol ID.
search_sample_typesSearch sample types by `name`. Use this to find the `sample_type_id` needed to create a sample.
search_samplesSearch samples by `search`, `name` or `barcodes`, filtered by `sample_type_id`, `storage_id`, `storage_layer_id`, `checked_out` or `archived`. Paginated with `page` and `records`.
search_storage_compartmentsSearch storage compartments (shelves, racks, boxes) by `search`, `name` or `barcodes`, filtered by `storage_id` or `parent_storage_layer_id`.
search_storage_unitsSearch storage units (freezers, fridges, rooms, equipment) by `search` or `name`, filtered by `storage_type_id`. Use this to find a storage ID.
search_studiesSearch studies by `search` or `search_name`, optionally within a `project_id`. Use this to find the study ID needed to create an experiment.
update_sampleChanges dataUpdate a sample by `sample_id`: `name` (required), `description`, `note`, `sample_metas`, location or `expiration_date`.
update_section_contentVisible to othersReplace the text content of an experiment section by `exp_journal_id` with `contents`. The previous content is overwritten.
update_taskChanges dataUpdate a task by `task_id`: `title`, `contents`, `due`, `assignee_id` or `status` (ASSIGNED, PROGRESS, COMPLETED).

Set up in three steps

1
Pick the app
Create a free PipMCP account and choose eLabNext ELN from the app list.
2
Paste your key
Enter the host name of your eLabNext environment (the address you log in to, without https://) and an API token. In eLabNext open your Apps & Connections settings and click Manage Authentication to generate the token. This also works if you log in with SSO/SAML or two-step verification.
3
Add the link to your AI
You get a personal MCP link. Add it to Claude, ChatGPT or Cursor:
1. Click your name, then Settings › Connectors › Add custom connector.
2. Paste your link as the Remote MCP server URL.
3. Switch it on from the + menu in a chat.

Questions

What can the AI do in eLabNext ELN?

The AI can search and read projects, studies, experiments, experiment sections, protocols, samples, sample fields, sample types, storage units, compartments and tasks, and look up barcodes. It can create studies, experiments, sections, samples and tasks, update samples and tasks, and replace the text of an experiment section.

Does the AI see my eLabNext API token?

No. Your eLabNext API token is encrypted at rest and never shown to the AI. After you save it, it is not shown again, not even to you. The AI only sees the results of the tools it calls.

Can I control what the AI is allowed to do?

Yes. You choose which tools are switched on, so you can start read-only. Updating a section's content overwrites the previous text, and it can require your approval before it runs. Every tool call is logged.

Does it work with ChatGPT?

Yes. In ChatGPT go to Settings › Apps & Connectors › Advanced and turn on Developer mode, then add your PipMCP link. Developer mode needs a paid ChatGPT plan: Plus, Pro, Business or Enterprise. The same link also works in Claude (Settings › Connectors › Add custom connector), Cursor and other MCP clients.

What does it cost?

PipMCP has a free plan with no credit card required. Paid plans bill per completed task. You also need your own eLabNext account.

Can I use it if my lab logs in with SSO?

Yes. You generate the API token under Apps & Connections > Manage Authentication in eLabNext, and that also works with SSO/SAML or two-step verification. Enter the token together with the host name of your eLabNext environment.