| name | xero-accounting |
| description | Manage invoices, contacts, bills, payments, and accounting records in Xero via the Xero API. Use this skill when users want to create invoices, manage contacts, track payments, or automate Xero accounting workflows. |
Xero
Manage Xero invoices, contacts, bills, payments, and accounting records from chat via the Xero API.
This skill uses ClawLink for hosted connection flows and credentials so you do not need to configure Xero API access yourself.
Setup in 3 Steps
| Step 1: Install | Step 2: Pair Account | Step 3: Connect Xero |
|---|
 |  | App-specific connection GIF coming soon |
| Run the install command in OpenClaw | Sign in and approve the device | Open the dashboard and connect Xero |
How It Works
┌─────────────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ OpenClaw │────▶│ ClawLink │────▶│ Xero API │
│ (User Chat) │ │ (OAuth) │ │ │
└─────────────────┘ └──────────────┘ └──────────────────┘
│ │ │
│ 1. Install Plugin │ │
│ 2. Pair Device │ │
│ 3. Connect Xero │ │
│ │ 4. Secure Token │
│ │ 5. Proxy Requests │
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│ SKILL │ │ Dashboard│ │ Xero │
│ File │ │ Auth │ │ Tenant │
└──────────┘ └──────────┘ └──────────┘
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.
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 Xero again."
Quick Start
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_list_invoices" --params '{"status": "DRAFT"}'
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_get_invoice" --params '{"invoice_id": "INVOICE_ID"}'
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_list_contacts" --params '{}'
Authentication
All Xero tool calls are authenticated automatically by ClawLink using the user's connected Xero account OAuth token.
No API credentials are required in chat. ClawLink stores the OAuth token securely and injects it into every Xero API request on the user's behalf.
Getting Connected
- Install the ClawLink plugin (see Install above).
- Pair the plugin with
clawlink_begin_pairing if it is not configured yet.
- Open https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=xero and connect Xero.
- Call
clawlink_list_integrations to verify the connection is active.
Connection Management
List Connections
clawlink_list_integrations
Response: Returns all connected integrations. Look for xero in the list.
Verify Connection
clawlink_list_tools --integration xero
Response: Returns the live tool catalog for Xero.
Reconnect
If Xero tools are missing or the connection shows an error:
- Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=xero
- After they confirm, call
clawlink_list_integrations to verify
- Then call
clawlink_list_tools --integration xero
Security & Permissions
- Access is scoped to the Xero organization connected during OAuth setup.
- All write operations (create invoice, approve, delete, payment) require explicit user confirmation.
- Financial transactions (invoices, bills, payments) affect accounting records — always confirm details.
- Confirm before voiding or deleting invoices, as these actions affect financial reporting.
- Tax and currency amounts should always be verified against the Xero dashboard.
Tool Reference
Invoices
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_invoices | List all invoices with status filters | Read |
xero_get_invoice | Get invoice details including line items | Read |
xero_create_invoice | Create a new invoice | Write |
xero_update_invoice | Update an existing invoice's details | Write |
xero_void_invoice | Void an invoice (marks as void, keeps record) | Write |
xero_delete_invoice | Delete a draft invoice | Write |
xero_email_invoice | Send an invoice to the contact via email | Write |
xero_get_invoice_as_pdf | Download an invoice as PDF | Read |
Bills (Purchase Invoices)
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_bills | List all bills (purchase invoices) | Read |
xero_get_bill | Get bill details | Read |
xero_create_bill | Create a new bill | Write |
xero_update_bill | Update an existing bill | Write |
xero_delete_bill | Delete a draft bill | Write |
xero_approve_bill | Approve a bill for payment | Write |
Contacts
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_contacts | List all contacts (customers and suppliers) | Read |
xero_get_contact | Get contact details including addresses and contacts | Read |
xero_create_contact | Create a new contact | Write |
xero_update_contact | Update contact information | Write |
xero_delete_contact | Delete a contact | Write |
xero_search_contacts | Search contacts by name, email, or account number | Read |
Payments
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_payments | List all payments on invoices and bills | Read |
xero_create_payment | Record a payment against an invoice or bill | Write |
xero_delete_payment | Delete/void a payment | Write |
xero_get_payment | Get details of a specific payment | Read |
Items
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_items | List all items/products | Read |
xero_get_item | Get item details | Read |
xero_create_item | Create a new item | Write |
xero_update_item | Update an existing item | Write |
xero_delete_item | Delete an item | Write |
Accounts
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_accounts | List all chart of accounts | Read |
xero_get_account | Get account details | Read |
xero_create_account | Create a new account | Write |
xero_update_account | Update an account | Write |
Bank Transactions
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_bank_transactions | List bank transactions (deposits, withdrawals, transfers) | Read |
xero_get_bank_transaction | Get bank transaction details | Read |
xero_create_bank_transaction | Create a bank transaction | Write |
xero_delete_bank_transaction | Delete a draft bank transaction | Write |
Bank Feeds
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_bank_transfers | List bank transfers | Read |
xero_create_bank_transfer | Create a transfer between bank accounts | Write |
Manual Journals
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_journals | List journal entries | Read |
xero_get_journal | Get a specific journal entry | Read |
xero_create_journal | Create a manual journal entry | Write |
Organisation
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_get_organisation | Get organisation/company details | Read |
xero_list_currencies | List currencies configured in the organisation | Read |
Tracking Categories
| Tool | Description | Mode |
|---|
xero_list_tracking_categories | List tracking categories (regions, departments) | Read |
xero_create_tracking_category | Create a tracking category | Write |
xero_update_tracking_category | Update a tracking category | Write |
Code Examples
List all draft invoices
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_list_invoices" \
--params '{
"status": "DRAFT",
"page": 1
}'
Get invoice details
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_get_invoice" \
--params '{
"invoice_id": "INVOICE_ID"
}'
Create an invoice
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_create_invoice" \
--params '{
"contact_id": "CONTACT_ID",
"type": "ACCREC",
"status": "DRAFT",
"line_items": [
{
"description": "Web development services - Phase 1",
"quantity": 1,
"unit_amount": 2500,
"account_code": "200"
}
]
}'
Record a payment
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_create_payment" \
--params '{
"invoice_id": "INVOICE_ID",
"amount": 2500,
"payment_date": "2025-06-07",
"reference": "Payment via bank transfer"
}'
Create a contact
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_create_contact" \
--params '{
"name": "Acme Corporation",
"email_address": "billing@acme.com",
"account_number": "ACM-001"
}'
Get organisation details
clawlink_call_tool --tool "xero_get_organisation" \
--params '{}'
Discovery Workflow
- Call
clawlink_list_integrations to confirm Xero is connected.
- Call
clawlink_list_tools --integration xero to see the live catalog.
- Treat the returned list as the source of truth. Do not guess or assume what tools exist.
- If the user describes a capability but the exact tool is unclear, call
clawlink_search_tools with a short query and integration xero.
- If no Xero tools appear, direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=xero.
Execution Workflow
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ READ OPERATIONS (Safe) │
│ list → get → search → describe │
│ │
│ Example: List invoices → Get invoice → Show line items │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ WRITE OPERATIONS (Require Confirmation) │
│ describe → preview → confirm → call │
│ │
│ Example: Preview invoice creation → User approves → Create│
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
- For unfamiliar tools, ambiguous requests, or any write action, call
clawlink_describe_tool first.
- Use the returned guidance, schema,
whenToUse, askBefore, safeDefaults, examples, and followups to shape the call.
- Prefer read, list, get, and search operations before writes when that reduces ambiguity.
- For writes or anything marked as requiring confirmation, call
clawlink_preview_tool first.
- Execute with
clawlink_call_tool. Pass confirmation only after the preview matches the user's intent.
- 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
- Xero uses
ACCREC (accounts receivable) for sales invoices and ACCPAY (accounts payable) for bills.
- Invoice and bill IDs are unique within an organisation — use them directly for payments.
- Voiding an invoice keeps it in the system as a voided record for audit purposes.
- Currency amounts should match the organisation's configured currencies.
- Tracking categories (regions, departments) can be assigned to line items for reporting.
- Draft invoices must be approved or sent before they appear in financial reports.
- Contact IDs are required for creating invoices and bills — resolve from
xero_list_contacts first.
Error Handling
| Status / Error | Meaning |
|---|
| Tool not found | The tool name does not exist in the current catalog. Verify with clawlink_list_tools --integration xero. |
| Missing connection | Xero is not connected. Direct the user to https://claw-link.dev/dashboard?add=xero. |
Invoice not found | The invoice ID does not exist or belongs to a different organisation. |
Contact not found | The contact ID does not exist. |
Account not found | The account code does not exist in the chart of accounts. |
Invalid status transition | The invoice cannot be updated in its current status (e.g., voiding an already-paid invoice). |
Validation error | A required field is missing or has an invalid value. |
Duplicate invoice | An invoice with the same number already exists. |
| Write rejected | User did not confirm a write action. Always confirm before executing writes. |
Troubleshooting: Tools Not Visible
- Check that the ClawLink plugin is installed:
openclaw plugins list
- If the plugin is installed but tools are missing, tell the user to send
/new as a standalone message to reload the catalog.
- If a fresh chat does not help, run:
openclaw config set tools.alsoAllow '["clawlink-plugin"]' --strict-json
openclaw gateway restart
- After restart, tell the user to send
/new again and retry.
Troubleshooting: Invoice Creation Fails
- Verify the contact ID exists — use
xero_list_contacts or xero_search_contacts.
- Check that account codes are valid for line items.
- Confirm the invoice type (
ACCREC or ACCPAY) matches the intended purpose.
- Ensure date formats are correct (ISO 8601 format recommended).
Resources
Powered by ClawLink — an integration hub for OpenClaw
