--- title: "When I Work MCP server for AI agents - actionlake" description: "Give Claude 120 When I Work actions through one MCP server: shifts, users, times. Your agent never holds the credential. 100,000 calls a month free." canonical: https://actionlake.com/connectors/when-i-work updated: 2026-10-23 --- Connectors · Accounting & finance # When I Work MCP server for AI agents. actionlake is an MCP gateway: one remote MCP server that connects Claude and other MCP clients to When I Work and the rest of your systems. It gives your agent 120 When I Work actions (50 reads, 52 writes and 18 that wait for a confirmation) and holds the When I Work credential itself, so the agent never does. It paces When I Work's limits and records every call. [Connect When I Work free](https://actionlake.com/console?start=sandbox) [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) 100,000 free calls a month. No card, no email, no password: press Start a free sandbox on the next screen and keep the key it shows you. `claude mcp add --transport http actionlake https://connect.actionlake.com/mcp` the first call ``` do { action: "when_i_work.users.list", intent: "check which When I Work account is connected" } # List Users · read · 1 upstream call ``` - 120 actions in one signed file - 50 read look, never change - 52 write create and update - 18 wait for a yes destructive, confirmed first Set up ## Connect When I Work in three steps. 1. 01 ### Add actionlake to Claude. Run the command once in Claude Code; its consent page can create a free sandbox: 100,000 calls a month, no card. In the Claude app, add a custom connector with the URL below and paste your key on the consent page. Creating a new sandbox from the Claude app is not yet tested by us. `https://connect.actionlake.com/mcp` 2. 02 ### Connect When I Work. Session login. actionlake opens the session and renews it when it expires. actionlake stores what you paste write-only, sealed under your tenant's key. - `developer_key` When I Work developer key (request one from When I Work via the developer/API page; sent as the W-Key header on login) - `email` Email address of the When I Work user the connection acts as (an account admin or manager for full access) - `password` Password of that When I Work user - `user_id` Your When I Work user id ``` account { op: "connections.requirements", service: "when_i_work" } # free: exactly what to paste, and what is found for you ``` 3. 03 ### Make the first call. Check before a write. Ask in plain words; Claude picks the action. Before anything changes, `check` validates the call and prices it, for free. ``` do { action: "when_i_work.users.list" } # list users · read · 1 upstream call check { action: "when_i_work.users.create", input: { … } } # free: inputs, permissions, cost and confirmations, nothing sent ``` When I Work at a glance **Sign-in** Session login. actionlake opens the session and renews it when it expires. **You provide** `developer_key` `email` `password` **Setup fields** `user_id` **Limits we pace to** 300 calls a minute, per connection **API covered** When I Work API v2/v3 (OpenAPI 3.1.0) plus Login Service`api.wheniwork.com` **Built from** When I Work's documentation, read 23 October 2026[apidocs.wheniwork.com](https://apidocs.wheniwork.com/external/monolith/docs-master.json) [apidocs.wheniwork.com](https://apidocs.wheniwork.com/external/login/docs-master.json) **Service file** Version 1.0.0, signed (Ed25519) **Cached reads** 49 of 50 reads, for up to 5 minutes; a write clears what it affects **Shared entities** 3, so ask can line When I Work up with your other systems **Data** Processed and stored in Sydney, Australia. No US region yet Capabilities ## What an AI agent can do in When I Work. 120 actions in 23 areas. Every one carries its effect, so a key can allow the reads and hold the rest. - **50** read look, never change - **52** write create and update - **18** destructive wait for a confirmation 1. ### Shifts 17 6 read · 9 write · 2 destructive List Shifts · Create Shift · Get Shift · Update Shift 2. ### Users 11 3 read · 7 write · 1 destructive List Users · Create User · Get User · Update User 3. ### Times 7 2 read · 4 write · 1 destructive List Times · Create Time · Update Time · Get Time 4. ### Availability events 6 2 read · 3 write · 1 destructive Create Availability Event · List Availability Events · Get Availability Event · Update Availability Event 5. ### Positions 6 2 read · 3 write · 1 destructive List Positions · Create Position · Get Position · Update Position 6. ### Account 5 2 read · 3 write · 0 destructive Create Account · Get Account · Update Account · List Admins 7. ### Annotations 5 2 read · 2 write · 1 destructive Create Annotation · List Annotations · Get Annotation · Update Annotation 8. ### Locations 5 2 read · 2 write · 1 destructive List Schedules (Locations) · Create Schedule (Location) · Get Schedule (Location) · Update Schedule (Location) **15 more areas · 58 actions** - Openshift approval requests **5** - Payrolls **5** - Schedule templates **5** - Shift breaks **5** - Shift requests **5** - Shift templates **5** - Sites **5** - Time off requests **5** - Paid rest records **4** - Time off request types **4** - Imports **3** - People **3** - Timezones **2** - Punch **1** - Scheduled breaks **1** Top actions ## The When I Work API, shaped for agents. The ids your agent types, what each does, and the one name it shares with other systems. 43 of When I Work's 50 action names are shared with at least one other connector, so an agent learns them once. | Action | What it does | Effect | Same name in | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | `when_i_work.users.list` List Users | List Users. | read | `hr.employee.list` 61 connectors | | `when_i_work.locations.list` List Schedules (Locations) | List Schedules (Locations). | read | `hr.location.list` 32 connectors | | `when_i_work.users.create` Create User | Create User. | write | `hr.employee.create` 51 connectors | | `when_i_work.locations.create` Create Schedule (Location) | Create Schedule (Location). | write | `hr.location.create` 23 connectors | | `when_i_work.times.list` List Times | List Times. | read | `hr.time_clock_entry.list` 15 connectors | | `when_i_work.users.delete` Delete User | Delete User. | destructive | `hr.employee.delete` 34 connectors | | `when_i_work.time_off_requests.create` Create Time Off Request | Create Time Off Request. | write | `hr.leave_request.create` 32 connectors | | `when_i_work.time_off_requests.list` List Time Off Requests | List Time Off Requests. | read | `hr.leave_request.list` 29 connectors | | `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.list` List Of Time Off Request Types | List Of Time Off Request Types. | read | `hr.leave_type.list` 23 connectors | | `when_i_work.shifts.list` List Shifts | List Shifts. | read | `hr.shift.list` 19 connectors | | `when_i_work.shifts.create` Create Shift | Create Shift. | write | `hr.shift.create` 18 connectors | | `when_i_work.times.create` Create Time | Create Time. | write | `hr.time_clock_entry.create` 17 connectors | Try it ## Prompts to paste into Claude. Each one names the When I Work actions it will call, so you know what it reads and what it changes before you send it. 1. Read read List everyone in When I Work with their department and start date. calls `when_i_work.users.list` 2. Write write Create User in When I Work. Show me exactly what you will send before you save it. calls `when_i_work.users.create` Governance for When I Work ## Destructive actions wait for a yes. 18 When I Work actions are destructive. These are all of them: - Delete User `when_i_work.users.delete` - Delete Schedule (Location) `when_i_work.locations.delete` - Delete Time Off Request `when_i_work.time_off_requests.delete` - Delete Shift `when_i_work.shifts.delete` - Delete Time `when_i_work.times.delete` - Delete Position `when_i_work.positions.delete` - Delete Time Off Request Type `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.delete` - Delete the given shift request. `when_i_work.shift_requests.delete` - Delete an OpenShift Approval Request. `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.delete` - Delete Site `when_i_work.sites.delete` - Delete Annotation `when_i_work.annotations.delete` - Delete Shift Break `when_i_work.shift_breaks.delete` - Delete Shift Template (Block) `when_i_work.shift_templates.delete` - Delete Shift Break Paid Rest `when_i_work.paid_rest_records.delete` - Delete Schedule Template `when_i_work.schedule_templates.delete` - Delete Availability Event `when_i_work.availability_events.delete` - Bulk Delete Shifts `when_i_work.shifts.bulk_delete` - Cancel an individual's request for an OpenShift `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.user_request_cancel` A destructive action runs only with `confirm: true`. Under the `human` policy the agent cannot confirm for itself: the run stops until a named person approves, in the console or from a signed link in an email. The cap on a key is refused before the call is sent, never after. do when_i_work.users.delete confirm_policy: **human** Delete User? **intent:** the user asked me to delete User run suspended · waiting for a named person · key _when-i-work-agent_ cannot confirm itself In the console, or from an emailed signed link. a key for this connector ``` account { op: "keys.create", name: "when-i-work-agent", allowed_actions: ["when_i_work.*"], cap_calls: 2000, confirm_policy: "human_for_writes", approval_rules: [ { match: "when_i_work.users.delete", approver: "lead@example.com" }, { match: "when_i_work.locations.delete", approver: "lead@example.com" }, { match: "when_i_work.time_off_requests.delete", approver: "lead@example.com" } ] } ``` Illustrative. Scoped to When I Work only, capped at 2,000 upstream calls, every write confirmed, and the destructive ones approved by a named person. Cost ## What When I Work costs on actionlake. Every When I Work action is one upstream call, the only thing actionlake bills. Searching, `check`, `cost`, `account` and any call When I Work refused with 401, 403, 429 or a 5xx are free. Paid plans start at US$49 a month for 250,000 calls, with overage from US$0.30 down to US$0.18 per 1,000. - 1 upstream call per action all 120 When I Work actions - 120 actions page each page of a long list is one call - 49 reads can be cached a cache hit costs nothing - 100,000 calls a month, free paid plans from US$49 a month for 250,000 [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) Action index ## Every When I Work action. 120 actions by area: the id your agent calls, what it does, and its effect. **Shifts 17** - `when_i_work.shifts.assign` Assign multiple users to an OpenShift write - `when_i_work.shifts.auto_assign_list` List Auto Scheduled shifts read - `when_i_work.shifts.bulk_delete` Bulk Delete Shifts destructive - `when_i_work.shifts.bulk_update` Bulk Update Shifts write - `when_i_work.shifts.create` Create Shift write - `when_i_work.shifts.delete` Delete Shift destructive - `when_i_work.shifts.eligible_users_list` List eligible users for OpenShift read - `when_i_work.shifts.get` Get Shift read - `when_i_work.shifts.history_get` Fetch shift history read - `when_i_work.shifts.list` List Shifts read - `when_i_work.shifts.notify` Notify shifts write - `when_i_work.shifts.notify_one` Notify single shift write - `when_i_work.shifts.publish` Publish Shifts write - `when_i_work.shifts.swap_users_list` List swap users read - `when_i_work.shifts.unassign` Unassign/Release Shifts write - `when_i_work.shifts.unpublish` Unpublish Shifts write - `when_i_work.shifts.update` Update Shift write **Users 11** - `when_i_work.users.alerts_update` Update User Alert Settings write - `when_i_work.users.bulk_create` Create A Batch of Users write - `when_i_work.users.create` Create User write - `when_i_work.users.delete` Delete User destructive - `when_i_work.users.get` Get User read - `when_i_work.users.invite` Invite users write - `when_i_work.users.invite_one` Invite single user write - `when_i_work.users.list` List Users read - `when_i_work.users.profile_get` Get User Profile read - `when_i_work.users.profile_update` Update User Profile write - `when_i_work.users.update` Update User write **Times 7** - `when_i_work.times.clock_in` Clock In write - `when_i_work.times.clock_out` Clock Out write - `when_i_work.times.create` Create Time write - `when_i_work.times.delete` Delete Time destructive - `when_i_work.times.get` Get Time read - `when_i_work.times.list` List Times read - `when_i_work.times.update` Update Time write **Availability events 6** - `when_i_work.availability_events.create` Create Availability Event write - `when_i_work.availability_events.delete` Delete Availability Event destructive - `when_i_work.availability_events.exception_create` Create Availability Event Exception write - `when_i_work.availability_events.get` Get Availability Event read - `when_i_work.availability_events.list` List Availability Events read - `when_i_work.availability_events.update` Update Availability Event write **Positions 6** - `when_i_work.positions.bulk_update` Update Multiple Positions write - `when_i_work.positions.create` Create Position write - `when_i_work.positions.delete` Delete Position destructive - `when_i_work.positions.get` Get Position read - `when_i_work.positions.list` List Positions read - `when_i_work.positions.update` Update Position write **Account 5** - `when_i_work.account.admins_list` List Admins read - `when_i_work.account.create` Create Account write - `when_i_work.account.get` Get Account read - `when_i_work.account.settings_update` Update Account Settings write - `when_i_work.account.update` Update Account write **Annotations 5** - `when_i_work.annotations.create` Create Annotation write - `when_i_work.annotations.delete` Delete Annotation destructive - `when_i_work.annotations.get` Get Annotation read - `when_i_work.annotations.list` List Annotations read - `when_i_work.annotations.update` Update Annotation write **Locations 5** - `when_i_work.locations.create` Create Schedule (Location) write - `when_i_work.locations.delete` Delete Schedule (Location) destructive - `when_i_work.locations.get` Get Schedule (Location) read - `when_i_work.locations.list` List Schedules (Locations) read - `when_i_work.locations.update` Update Schedule (Location) write **Openshift approval requests 5** - `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.delete` Delete an OpenShift Approval Request. destructive - `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.get` Get specific OpenShift Approval Request read - `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.list` List OpenShift Approval Requests read - `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.update` Update an OpenShift Approval Request. write - `when_i_work.openshift_approval_requests.user_request_cancel` Cancel an individual's request for an OpenShift destructive **Payrolls 5** - `when_i_work.payrolls.get` Get Payroll read - `when_i_work.payrolls.list` List Payrolls read - `when_i_work.payrolls.notices_list` List Notices read - `when_i_work.payrolls.stats_get` Get Payroll Statistics for current hours read - `when_i_work.payrolls.update` Update Payroll write **Schedule templates 5** - `when_i_work.schedule_templates.create` Create Schedule Template write - `when_i_work.schedule_templates.delete` Delete Schedule Template destructive - `when_i_work.schedule_templates.get` Get Schedule Template read - `when_i_work.schedule_templates.list` List Schedule Templates read - `when_i_work.schedule_templates.update` Update Schedule Template write **Shift breaks 5** - `when_i_work.shift_breaks.create` Create Shift Break write - `when_i_work.shift_breaks.delete` Delete Shift Break destructive - `when_i_work.shift_breaks.get` Get Shift Break read - `when_i_work.shift_breaks.list` List Shift Breaks read - `when_i_work.shift_breaks.update` Update Shift Break write **Shift requests 5** - `when_i_work.shift_requests.create` Create a new shift request. write - `when_i_work.shift_requests.delete` Delete the given shift request. destructive - `when_i_work.shift_requests.get` Get the details of a specific shift request. read - `when_i_work.shift_requests.list` Gets a collection of all shift requests. read - `when_i_work.shift_requests.update` Update a shift request. write **Shift templates 5** - `when_i_work.shift_templates.create` Create Shift Template (Block) write - `when_i_work.shift_templates.delete` Delete Shift Template (Block) destructive - `when_i_work.shift_templates.get` Get Shift Template (Block) read - `when_i_work.shift_templates.list` List Shift Templates (Blocks) read - `when_i_work.shift_templates.update` Update Shift Template (block) write **Sites 5** - `when_i_work.sites.create` Create Site write - `when_i_work.sites.delete` Delete Site destructive - `when_i_work.sites.get` Get Site read - `when_i_work.sites.list` List Sites read - `when_i_work.sites.update` Update Site write **Time off requests 5** - `when_i_work.time_off_requests.create` Create Time Off Request write - `when_i_work.time_off_requests.delete` Delete Time Off Request destructive - `when_i_work.time_off_requests.get` Get Time Off Request read - `when_i_work.time_off_requests.list` List Time Off Requests read - `when_i_work.time_off_requests.update` Update Time Off Request write **Paid rest records 4** - `when_i_work.paid_rest_records.create` Create Shift Break Paid Record Entry write - `when_i_work.paid_rest_records.delete` Delete Shift Break Paid Rest destructive - `when_i_work.paid_rest_records.get` Get Shift Break - Paid Rest Record read - `when_i_work.paid_rest_records.list` List Shift Break - Paid Rest records read **Time off request types 4** - `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.delete` Delete Time Off Request Type destructive - `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.get` Get Time Off Request Type read - `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.list` List Of Time Off Request Types read - `when_i_work.time_off_request_types.upsert` Create or update a Collection of request types write **Imports 3** - `when_i_work.imports.finalize` Finalize Import write - `when_i_work.imports.get` Get Import read - `when_i_work.imports.preview` Preview Import read **People 3** - `when_i_work.people.me_get` Get Person read - `when_i_work.people.password_update` Update Password write - `when_i_work.people.update` Update Person write **Timezones 2** - `when_i_work.timezones.get` Get Timezone read - `when_i_work.timezones.list` List Timezones read **Punch 1** - `when_i_work.punch.state_get` Punch State read **Scheduled breaks 1** - `when_i_work.scheduled_breaks.list` List Scheduled Shift Breaks read Questions ## The When I Work MCP server, answered. **Is there a When I Work MCP server for Claude?** Yes. actionlake is an MCP gateway: a remote MCP server that gives Claude, or another MCP client, 120 When I Work actions across shifts, users, times and availability events, through the same eight tools it uses for every other connector. actionlake is independent; it is not made or endorsed by When I Work. **What do I need to connect When I Work?** When I Work developer key (request one from When I Work via the developer/API page; sent as the W-Key header on login), Email address of the When I Work user the connection acts as (an account admin or manager for full access) and Password of that When I Work user. Plus your user id. The free call account { op: "connections.requirements", service: "when_i_work" } lists exactly what to paste. **Can an AI agent delete or change things in When I Work?** Only if its key allows it, and only with an explicit confirmation. 18 When I Work actions are destructive, including delete User, delete Schedule (Location) and delete Time Off Request. Each runs only with confirm: true. Under the human confirm policy, or an approval rule on the key, the run waits until a named person approves it. **Will an AI agent use up my When I Work API limit?** actionlake paces every call to the limits in the When I Work service file: 300 calls a minute per connection. Repeated reads are answered from cache (49 When I Work actions can be), which never reaches When I Work. **What does a When I Work action cost?** One upstream call, the only unit actionlake bills. A list that pages bills one call per page (120 When I Work actions page). Cache hits, searches, dry runs and calls When I Work refused with 401, 403, 429 or a 5xx are free. The Free plan includes 100,000 calls a month with no card. Paid plans start at US$49 a month for 250,000 calls, with overage from US$0.30 down to US$0.18 per 1,000. **Which When I Work API does it cover?** The When I Work API v2/v3 (OpenAPI 3.1.0) plus Login Service at api.wheniwork.com. It is built from When I Work's documentation as read on 23 October 2026. 120 actions in 23 areas, each one in the signed service file (version 1.0.0). **Does actionlake keep my When I Work data, and where?** actionlake processes and stores data in Sydney, Australia; there is no US region yet. Reads may be cached for up to 5 minutes, and a write clears the reads it affects. Each run's request and response is kept, sealed, for your plan's trace window: 1 day on Free, 3 days on Starter, 7 days on Pro, 14 days on Team, 30 days on Business and 30 days on Enterprise. Your When I Work credential is sealed under your tenant's key, never logged and never returned. Your traffic is not used to train models. **Which AI clients can use it?** Claude Code, tested by us end to end, and the Claude app as a custom connector, tested by us with an existing key. Other MCP clients that support remote servers over Streamable HTTP (MCP revisions 2025-06-18 and 2025-11-25) and OAuth dynamic client registration, or a bearer header, should connect the same way; we have not tested them. Or plain REST, under the same action names. ## More connectors like When I Work Shares the most action names with - [7shifts 27](https://actionlake.com/connectors/7shifts) - [Tanda (Workforce.com) 27](https://actionlake.com/connectors/tanda-workforce-com) - [Paycor 26](https://actionlake.com/connectors/paycor) - [Rippling 23](https://actionlake.com/connectors/rippling) - [BambooHR 23](https://actionlake.com/connectors/bamboohr) - [Deputy 19](https://actionlake.com/connectors/deputy) Joins with, on shared entities - [Deel 2](https://actionlake.com/connectors/deel) - [Employment Hero 2](https://actionlake.com/connectors/employment-hero) - [Humaans 2](https://actionlake.com/connectors/humaans) - [ConnectWise PSA 1](https://actionlake.com/connectors/connectwise-psa) - [HaloPSA 1](https://actionlake.com/connectors/halopsa) - [Adobe Workfront 1](https://actionlake.com/connectors/adobe-workfront) Browse - [All Accounting & finance connectors](https://actionlake.com/connectors/category/accounting-and-finance) - [All connectors](https://actionlake.com/connectors) - [How actionlake compares](https://actionlake.com/compare) actionlake is independent. It is not made or endorsed by When I Work; the name is the vendor's own. Counts are from the When I Work service file, version 1.0.0. ## Give your agent When I Work today. [Connect When I Work free](https://actionlake.com/console?start=sandbox) [See pricing](https://actionlake.com/pricing) Start free - 100,000 calls/month, no card. No signup. Hard caps on every key. Cached answers are free. --- Source: https://actionlake.com/connectors/when-i-work More: https://actionlake.com/llms.txt