Basecamp CLI
The official Basecamp CLI, with plugins for Claude Code and Codex, lets you run projects and todos from the terminal or an agent
- 294 ★ on the repository
- Last commit
Broad access
Why this level
- Creates and changes todos, cards, messages and comments in a work account, and mentions can notify people
- Stores access tokens and can print them with auth token
- The plugin installs hooks into Claude Code and Codex, and the binary installs from an internet script
Install
- Works in
Manual install
curl -fsSL https://basecamp.com/install-cli | bashmacOS, Linux and WSL2. macOS also has brew install --cask basecamp/tap/basecamp-cli, and Windows uses the PowerShell script from the repository.
Access and checks
How we reviewBroad accessThe tool can change data, run commands or handle secrets.
- Creates and changes todos, cards, messages and comments in a work account, and mentions can notify people
- Stores access tokens and can print them with auth token
- The plugin installs hooks into Claude Code and Codex, and the binary installs from an internet script
This is third-party code. Review the repository files before installing.
What it does
Basecamp CLI lets you work with Basecamp from the terminal and through AI agents. The basecamp command lists projects, creates and completes todos and moves kanban cards. It also searches across projects, posts to chat and sends direct pings and comments with mentions. In a terminal the output is formatted for reading, and when piped or with `--json` it becomes structured JSON with hints for next commands. For agents the repository includes a skill and two native plugins, one for Claude Code and one for Codex. `basecamp setup claude` installs a plugin with skills, hooks and agent workflows, and `basecamp setup codex` registers the 37signals marketplace. For Grok Build, `basecamp setup grok` places the shared skill in the skills directory. `basecamp mcp` runs an MCP server over stdio with a read-only mode and domain narrowing. Sign-in uses OAuth 2.1 with automatic token refresh and a device-code flow. Scripts and CI can import a personal access token, and an agent with no person behind it authenticates through client_credentials. Several profiles and custom OAuth credentials are supported. `basecamp upgrade` updates the CLI and verifies the Sigstore signature and checksum.
Who it is for. For teams that run projects in Basecamp and want to manage todos, cards and discussions from the terminal, scripts and agents.
Good fit when
- You need to create and complete Basecamp todos from a terminal command or a script
- A Claude Code or Codex agent should manage todos, cards and comments in a project
- CI or a scheduled job needs a personal access token with no browser sign-in
- An MCP client needs read-only access to Basecamp
- You work across several accounts and need separate profiles with identity checks at sign-in
Not a fit when
- The team does not use Basecamp: the tool works only with its API
- Agents and scripts must not get write access, and read-only mode is not enough for you
- Install scripts from the internet are forbidden and no package manager covers your platform
- You want a ready Basecamp connector without a CLI: a separate plugin built on their MCP exists for that
Example request
Show my open todos in project 12345, create a todo "Fix the payment bug" and then post in the project chat that it was createdLimitations
A Basecamp account and OAuth sign-in are required. Agents without a person use a separate client_credentials scheme with no refresh token. On Windows 11, Smart App Control or SmartScreen may block the install, and the guide has a section on allowing it to run.
The Claude Code plugin is named basecamp-cli in the 37signals marketplace. The older basecamp plugin has been replaced, with a transition window. Plugin hooks need a CLI version that has the agent-hook command, otherwise hook errors appear.
How to disable. Remove the plugin with `claude plugin uninstall basecamp-cli@37signals` or for Codex `codex plugin remove basecamp-cli@37signals`, and delete the MCP entry from the client configuration. Sign out via the auth section of the help, and remove the binary the way you installed it.
FAQ
How do I install Basecamp CLI?
On macOS, Linux and WSL2 run `curl -fsSL https://basecamp.com/install-cli | bash`. PowerShell has its own command, and macOS also has `brew install --cask basecamp/tap/basecamp-cli`. After install, approve OAuth sign-in in the browser.
How do I connect Basecamp to Claude Code?
`basecamp setup claude` installs a plugin with skills and hooks. For MCP run `claude mcp add basecamp -- basecamp mcp`.
Can I give an agent read-only access?
Yes. `basecamp mcp --read-only` serves only read actions, and the `--domains` flag narrows the set of areas, for example projects and todos.
How do I work in CI without a browser?
Import a personal access token with a command like `basecamp auth login --with-token -P bot --account 999`, passing the token through stdin. The CLI verifies it and stores it in a named profile.
How do I update Basecamp CLI?
With `basecamp upgrade`. For a script install it downloads the release, verifies the Sigstore signature and the SHA-256 checksum and replaces the program. For package managers and go install the CLI points to the right command.
Discussion
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Comparison with similar tools
Entries that share the main search query, and how they differ.
| Entry | Official | Authentication | Repository stars | Main difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basecamp CLI (this entry) | yes | 294 | ||
| Linear CLI | no | 1,018 | a CLI for the Linear tracker, with no Basecamp chat, cards or pings | |
| Atlassian Rovo MCP Server | yes | OAuth | 1,116 | a remote MCP for Jira and Confluence, with no local CLI or plugins |
README in short
The README starts with install steps for each platform and a first-run setup that finds and connects agents itself. Command examples, sign-in options for people, bots and agents, and Windows troubleshooting follow.