Airtable#

Work with Airtable from chat — browse bases and tables, read and create records, manage fields, comments, and table operations via the Airtable API with OAuth authentication.

This skill uses ClawLink for hosted connection flows and credentials so you do not need to configure Airtable API access yourself.

Setup in 3 Steps#

Step 1: InstallStep 2: Pair AccountStep 3: Connect Airtable_App-specific connection GIF coming soon_Run the install command in OpenClawSign in and approve the deviceOpen the dashboard and connect Airtable

How It Works#

text

┌─────────────────┐     ┌──────────────┐     ┌──────────────────┐
│   OpenClaw      │────▶│   ClawLink   │────▶│ Airtable API     │
│   (User Chat)   │     │   (OAuth)     │     │   (Bases/Records)│
└─────────────────┘     └──────────────┘     └──────────────────┘
         │                       │                       │
         │  1. Install Plugin    │                       │
         │  2. Pair Device       │                       │
         │  3. Connect Airtable  │                       │
         │                       │  4. Secure Token      │
         │                       │  5. Proxy Requests    │
         │                       │                       │
         ▼                       ▼                       ▼
   ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐           ┌──────────┐
   │  SKILL   │           │ Dashboard│           │ Airtable│
   │  File    │           │ Auth     │           │ Bases   │
   └──────────┘           └──────────┘           └──────────┘

Install#

Install the verified ClawLink plugin from ClawHub. After the user confirms, complete the full setup so ClawLink tools are visible in the next OpenClaw chat.

bash

openclaw plugins install clawhub:clawlink-plugin
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart

Then tell the user: "OpenClaw has been restarted. Send /new as a standalone message to start a fresh chat, then ask for Airtable again."

Quick Start#

bash

# List all accessible bases
clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_list_bases" --params '{}'

# Get base schema (tables and fields)
clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_get_base_schema" --params '{"base_id": "YOUR_BASE_ID"}'

# List records from a table
clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_list_records" --params '{"base_id": "YOUR_BASE_ID", "table_id": "YOUR_TABLE_ID", "max_records": 20}'

Authentication#

All Airtable tool calls are authenticated automatically by ClawLink using the user's connected Airtable account.

No API key is required in chat. ClawLink stores the OAuth token securely and injects it into every Airtable API request on the user's behalf.

Getting Connected#

1. Install the ClawLink plugin (see Install above).
2. Pair the plugin with clawlink_begin_pairing if it is not configured yet.
3. Open https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=airtable and connect Airtable.
4. Call clawlink_list_integrations to verify the connection is active.

Connection Management#

List Connections#

bash

clawlink_list_integrations

Response: Returns all connected integrations. Look for airtable in the list.

Verify Connection#

bash

clawlink_list_tools --integration airtable

Response: Returns the live tool catalog for Airtable.

Reconnect#

If Airtable tools are missing or the connection shows an error:

1. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=airtable
2. After they confirm, call clawlink_list_integrations to verify
3. Then call clawlink_list_tools --integration airtable

Security& Permissions#

• Access is scoped to the bases and tables accessible to the connected Airtable account.
• All write operations require explicit user confirmation. Before executing any create, update, or delete call, confirm the target resource and intended effect with the user.
• Destructive actions (delete record, delete multiple records, delete field) are marked as high-impact and must be confirmed.
• Record deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

Tool Reference#

Base & Schema Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_list_basesList all Airtable bases accessible to the authenticated userReadairtable_get_base_schemaGet detailed schema for a base including tables and fieldsReadairtable_create_baseCreate a new Airtable base with tables and fieldsWriteairtable_create_tableAdd a new table to an existing baseWriteairtable_update_tableUpdate table name, description, or date dependency settingsWrite

Record Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_list_recordsList records from a table with filtering, sorting, and paginationReadairtable_get_recordRetrieve a specific record by its record IDReadairtable_create_recordsCreate up to 10 new records in a tableWriteairtable_create_record_from_natural_languageCreate a record from a natural language descriptionWriteairtable_update_recordUpdate specific fields of an existing recordWriteairtable_update_multiple_recordsUpdate up to 10 records with partial field modificationsWriteairtable_delete_recordPermanently delete a single recordWriteairtable_delete_multiple_recordsDelete up to 10 records in one operationWrite

Field Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_create_fieldAdd a new field to a tableWriteairtable_update_fieldUpdate a field's name or descriptionWrite

Comment Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_list_commentsList comments on a specific recordReadairtable_create_commentAdd a comment to a record, with optional threaded repliesWriteairtable_update_commentUpdate an existing comment's textWriteairtable_delete_commentDelete a comment from a recordWrite

Attachment Operations#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_upload_attachmentUpload a file attachment to a record field (base64-encoded)Write

User Info#

ToolDescriptionModeairtable_get_user_infoGet the authenticated user's ID and permission scopesRead

Code Examples#

List records from a table#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_list_records" \
  --params '{
    "base_id": "appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "table_id": "tblXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "max_records": 20
  }'

Create a new record#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_create_records" \
  --params '{
    "base_id": "appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "table_id": "tblXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "records": [
      {
        "fields": {
          "Name": "Alice Johnson",
          "Email": "alice@example.com",
          "Status": "Active"
        }
      }
    ]
  }'

Update a record#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_update_record" \
  --params '{
    "base_id": "appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "table_id": "tblXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "record_id": "recXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "fields": {
      "Status": "Completed",
      "Notes": "Updated via ClawLink"
    }
  }'

Add a comment to a record#

bash

clawlink_call_tool --tool "airtable_create_comment" \
  --params '{
    "base_id": "appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "table_id": "tblXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "record_id": "recXXXXXXXXXXXXXX",
    "text": "This record needs review - please check the details."
  }'

Discovery Workflow#

1. Call clawlink_list_integrations to confirm Airtable is connected.
2. Call clawlink_list_tools --integration airtable to see the live catalog.
3. Treat the returned list as the source of truth. Do not guess or assume what tools exist.
4. If the user describes a capability but the exact tool is unclear, call clawlink_search_tools with a short query and integration airtable.
5. If no Airtable tools appear, direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=airtable.

Execution Workflow#

text

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  READ OPERATIONS (Safe)                                     │
│  list → get → search → describe → call                    │
│                                                             │
│  Example: List bases → Get schema → List records → Show    │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                              │
                              ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  WRITE OPERATIONS (Require Confirmation)                   │
│  list → get → describe → preview → confirm → call          │
│                                                             │
│  Example: Describe tool → Preview changes → User approves   │
│           → Execute update                                  │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

1. For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call clawlink_describe_tool first.
2. Use the returned guidance, schema, whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
3. Prefer read, list, search, and get operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
4. For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call clawlink_preview_tool first.
5. Execute with clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
6. If the tool call fails, report the real error. Do not invent results or restate the failure as a missing capability unless the live catalog supports that conclusion.

Notes#

• Base IDs start with app (e.g., appXXXXXXXXXXXXXX). Table IDs start with tbl. Record IDs start with rec.
• Empty field values are not returned in API responses.
• Attachments must be provided as base64-encoded strings.
• Rate limit: 5 requests per second per base.
• Maximum 10 records can be created or updated in a single batch operation.
• Comments support threaded replies via parentCommentId.

Error Handling#

Status / ErrorMeaningTool not foundThe tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with clawlink_list_tools --integration airtable.Missing connectionAirtable is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=airtable.NOT_FOUNDBase, table, or record does not exist. Check the IDs.INVALID_PERMISSIONSThe authenticated user lacks permission for this operation.INVALIDArgumentInvalid parameter or missing required field. Review the tool schema with clawlink_describe_tool.RATE_LIMIT_EXCEEDEDToo many requests. Wait and retry.Write rejectedUser did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes.

Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible#

1. Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed: bash

   openclaw plugins list
   
   

2. If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send /new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.

3. If a fresh chat does not help, run: bash

   openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
   openclaw gateway restart
   
   

4. After restart, tell the user to send /new again and retry.

Troubleshooting: Invalid Tool Call#

1. Ensure the integration slug is exactly airtable.
2. Use clawlink_describe_tool to verify parameter names and types before calling.
3. For write operations, always call clawlink_preview_tool first.

Resources#

• Airtable API Documentation
• Airtable Base Schema
• Airtable Records
• ClawLink: https://claw-link.dev/?utm_source=clawhub&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=airtable-records
• ClawLink Docs: https://docs.claw-link.dev/openclaw
• ClawLink Verification: https://claw-link.dev/verify

Related Skills#

• Notion — For Notion workspace operations
• Google Sheets — For Google Workspace spreadsheet operations
• Microsoft Excel — For Microsoft Excel workbook operations

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