# Instantly MCP: how to set it up in Claude and Cursor > Instantly hosts an MCP server at mcp.instantly.ai. This guide covers the API key, setup in Claude, Cursor, Claude Code and n8n, what the tools can do, prompts that work, and the community package on GitHub. By Jesse Sibley, Founder of Manifold. Published 18 Oct 2026, updated 18 Oct 2026. Filed under [Leads](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/topics/leads.md). ## Key takeaways - The hosted Instantly MCP server is at https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp over Streamable HTTP. Send your API key in the Authorization header. If a client cannot set headers, Instantly documents a key-in-path URL. - Create the key in Instantly under Integrations, then API Keys. Treat it like a password. Never share config files that contain it. - In Claude, add a custom connector with the key-in-path URL. No restart. Claude Desktop, Cursor, Claude Code and n8n can send the key in a header instead. - Instantly lists 31 tools across campaigns, leads, email, analytics and accounts. The server can create, pause, change and reply, so review write calls. Start with analytics. - Instantly works on campaigns and leads you already have. Build a target list with Manifold's people and company tools, then ask Instantly to add them to a draft campaign. - Use the hosted server unless you need the key to stay on your machine or want to change the code. That is the community Python package Instantly's blog walks through. Instantly hosts an MCP server at `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp`. It connects Claude, Cursor, Claude Code, n8n and other MCP clients to your Instantly workspace, so the agent can create campaigns, manage leads, pull analytics, reply in the inbox and manage sending accounts. Instantly documents it as Streamable HTTP. You send an API key in the `Authorization` header, or in the URL path if the client cannot set custom headers. Two things get mixed up. The [help center](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol) and Instantly's [course](https://instantly.ai/courses/connect-the-instantly-mcp) cover this hosted server. A [February 2026 Instantly blog post](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/) walks through a community Python package you run locally. Use the hosted server unless you need the key to stay on your machine or want to change the code. By the end you will have a working connector, a test that lists your accounts, prompts you can paste, and a short note on the local package. ![Diagram: your agent connects to Instantly's hosted MCP and works on your campaigns](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/instantly-mcp/instantly-mcp-how-it-connects.svg#1248x252 "Your agent connects to Instantly's hosted MCP server and works on the campaigns, leads and accounts in your workspace.") ## Before you start You need three things: 1. **An Instantly account with API access.** Instantly says the [MCP server is free with your subscription](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol), and that you just need an account with API access. The [February 2026 blog post](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/) says API access is included on the Growth plan and above. Check your plan before you spend time on the client. 2. **An Instantly API key.** Instantly's help center: open Instantly, go to **Integrations**, then **API Keys**, then **Create API Key**. Copy the key and store it like a password. The [course](https://instantly.ai/courses/connect-the-instantly-mcp) shows the same place as **Settings**, then **Integrations**, then **API Keys**, with a name and scope of All. 3. **An MCP client.** Instantly documents [Claude Desktop, Cursor and n8n](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol), plus any client that can send Streamable HTTP with an `Authorization` header. Claude Code is not in Instantly's article; the command below is the usual Claude Code syntax. Instantly's own AI inside the app is [Copilot](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/). It uses Instantly credits and needs no setup. MCP is the bring-your-own-AI path: Claude, Cursor or another client you already use, talking to the same Instantly workspace. The hosted server also advertises OAuth sign-in, so a client that supports MCP OAuth may show an Instantly sign-in instead of asking for a key. Instantly's help center documents the API key, and this guide follows that. ## Set it up in Claude Instantly's [help center](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol) and [course](https://instantly.ai/courses/connect-the-instantly-mcp) both use Claude's custom connector. The help center uses the key-in-path URL: 1. Open Claude (claude.ai or the Claude Desktop app). 2. Go to **Settings**, then **Connectors**, then **Add custom connector**. 3. Paste `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY`, with your key in place of `YOUR_API_KEY`. 4. Click **Add**. Instantly says no restart is needed. The course names the connector (for example "Instantly MCP") before you paste the URL. After it connects, Claude's **Configure** view lists read, write and delete tools. You can leave those on a prompt-by-prompt confirm while you get used to the connector. A key in a URL ends up in config files and logs. Prefer the header form below when the client supports it. Never share a config file that contains the key. Instantly does not document a ChatGPT setup. On a paid ChatGPT plan you can add a remote MCP server at chatgpt.com/plugins: choose Add, then Create custom MCP server, and paste the URL. For Claude itself, the [Claude client docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude) cover how Claude talks to a remote MCP server. ## Set it up in Claude Desktop with a config file If you would rather edit the file, Instantly documents this under **Settings**, then **Developer**, then **Edit Config**: ```json { "mcpServers": { "instantly": { "url": "https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp", "headers": { "Authorization": "PASTE_YOUR_API_KEY_HERE" } } } } ``` Replace `PASTE_YOUR_API_KEY_HERE` with the key, save, and restart Claude Desktop. Instantly says you can then manage which actions Claude may run. ## Set it up in Claude Code Instantly does not document Claude Code. This is the standard Claude Code command for a remote HTTP server with a header, then `/mcp` to check the server: ```bash claude mcp add --transport http instantly https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp --header "Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY" ``` Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with the key. Start Claude Code, run `/mcp`, and confirm `instantly` is connected. Full Claude Code steps for remote servers are in the [Claude Code client docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/claude-code). ## Set it up in Cursor Instantly's [Cursor snippet](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol) puts the key in the URL. Add it to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (or `.cursor/mcp.json` in a project): ```json { "mcpServers": { "instantly": { "url": "https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY" } } } ``` A header form also works in Cursor's `mcp.json`. Prefer it so the key stays out of the URL: ```json { "mcpServers": { "instantly": { "url": "https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp", "headers": { "Authorization": "PASTE_YOUR_API_KEY_HERE" } } } } ``` Save and restart Cursor. Keep the key in your user config, not in a project file you commit. The [Cursor client docs](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/clients/cursor) cover remote MCP servers in Cursor. ## Set it up in n8n From Instantly's help center: 1. Add the **MCP Client** node to the workflow. 2. Set the transport to **Streamable HTTP**. 3. Enter `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY`. 4. Connect that node to your AI agent node. Instantly suggests picking the tools the agent actually needs for each workflow, rather than exposing every category. ## Other MCP clients For any other client, Instantly documents: ```text URL: https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp Header: Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY ``` If the client cannot set custom headers, use `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY`. Same caution: a key in a URL lands in logs. ## Test the connection Instantly's help center test for Claude is: "List all my email accounts in Instantly." A working connector calls `list_accounts` and returns the sending accounts in the workspace. Instantly also suggests: "What campaigns do I have in Instantly?" If you see your campaign list, the connector works. If you get a connection or unauthorized error, skip to troubleshooting. ## What Instantly MCP can do Instantly's help center lists **31 tools across 5 categories**: | Category | Tools | What Instantly says they do | | --- | --- | --- | | Campaigns | 6 | Create, pause, update campaigns | | Leads | 11 | Add, move, manage leads | | Email | 5 | View, reply, verify emails | | Analytics | 3 | Performance metrics | | Accounts | 6 | Manage sending accounts, for example warmup and health | The [February 2026 blog post](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/) describes the community package as 38 tools across six categories, including blocklist and send-window controls. Counts differ because that package is not the hosted server. Instantly says [destructive actions such as delete are marked](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol), and that the AI typically confirms before major actions. The server can still create, pause, change and reply. Review the proposed call before you approve a write. Start with analytics prompts until you trust the connector. ## Prompts that work These follow Instantly's own examples, grouped the way you would use them. They are prompts, not results. Do not expect the numbers in Instantly's sample replies to match your workspace. ### Morning check-in From the [help center](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol): "Give me a quick summary of my outreach performance" "Show me which campaigns have the best reply rates this week" "Show daily breakdown for last 7 days" "What are my reply rates this week?" Ask for a date range and the metric you care about (reply rate, sends, bounces). A vague "how are we doing" leaves the agent to pick a window. ### Find and pause weak campaigns Instantly's example: "Pause campaigns with less than 2% reply rates" A version that shows you the list first: "List active campaigns with a reply rate under 2% in the last 7 days. Show name, sends, replies and reply rate. Do not pause yet." Then, if the list is right: "Pause the campaigns we just listed. Ask me to confirm each one." ### Reply triage Instantly's examples: "Show my recent replies" "How many unread emails do I have?" "Reply to the email from John at TechCo" Keep replies in draft until you have read them. A useful follow-up: "Show my unread replies from the last 24 hours. For each, give the campaign, the sender, a one-line summary, and a draft reply. Do not send." ### Warmup and account health Instantly's examples: "List my email sending accounts" "Enable warmup for my new account" "Check account health status" If you just added inboxes, list them first, then enable warmup on the new ones only. ### Build a campaign draft Instantly's examples: "Create a 3-step email campaign targeting SaaS founders" "Create a campaign for fintech companies, 3 emails, send weekdays 9-5 EST" The help center's sample creates a draft. Still ask for a preview: "Draft a 3-step campaign called SaaS Founders Q1, weekdays 9 to 5 Eastern. Show the name, schedule and steps. Do not activate it." Approve the draft in Instantly before it sends. ## Feed it a better list Instantly's MCP works on campaigns and leads you already have. It does not replace a prospecting database. To build a target list in the same chat, connect a leads server as well, then hand the rows to Instantly. Manifold is a hosted MCP server with [people and company tools](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads): [`leads_search_companies`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_companies), [`leads_search_people`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_people), [`leads_get_email`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_get_email) and [`leads_get_email_status`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_get_email_status). You pay per call with credits. Every workspace gets [250 free credits a month](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/pricing). There are no API keys of your own to manage. It is listed in the [official MCP registry](https://registry.modelcontextprotocol.io/v0.1/servers?search=com.manifoldmcp) as `com.manifoldmcp/manifold`. For a side-by-side of prospecting servers, see [the best lead generation MCP servers](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/best-lead-generation-mcp-servers). For CRM write-back after Instantly, see the [HubSpot MCP setup guide](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/hubspot-mcp). Clay's own server is in the [Clay MCP setup guide](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/clay-mcp). Example prompt with both connectors in one chat: "Find B2B SaaS companies in the US with 50 to 200 employees. For each, find a VP of Sales, get a verified work email, check the address, then add those people to a draft Instantly campaign called Q1 SaaS Outreach. Show me the draft before you create it." The agent uses Manifold for the list and Instantly for the campaign. Keep the Instantly step as a draft until you have checked the rows. ## Hosted server vs community package | | Hosted Instantly MCP | Community package | | --- | --- | --- | | **Where it runs** | Instantly hosts `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp` | Your machine, stdio, [bcharleson/Instantly-MCP](https://github.com/bcharleson/Instantly-MCP) | | **Setup** | Paste a URL and a key | Python 3.10+, `pip install -e .`, env `INSTANTLY_API_KEY` | | **Auth** | `Authorization` header, or key in the URL path | Local env var in the Claude Desktop config | | **Tools** | Instantly lists 31 tools in 5 categories | Instantly's blog lists 38 tools in 6 categories | | **Use it when** | You want Instantly to host the server | You want the key on your machine, or you need to change the code | The [blog post](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/) clone and install: ```bash git clone https://github.com/bcharleson/Instantly-MCP.git cd Instantly-MCP pip install -e . ``` Then, in Claude Desktop's config, a `command` entry that runs `python -m instantly_mcp.server` with `INSTANTLY_API_KEY` set. Prefer the hosted server unless one of the local reasons applies. ## Troubleshooting From Instantly's [help center table](https://help.instantly.ai/en/articles/12980002-instantly-mcp-model-context-protocol): | Symptom | What Instantly says to do | | --- | --- | | Connection failed | Check the API key | | Unauthorized | Regenerate the key in Instantly | | No response | Restart the client | | Server unavailable | Check the connection and try again | A few extras the docs imply but do not put in that table: **The key is in a URL or a committed file.** Rotate the key in Instantly and switch the client to the `Authorization` header. Never paste a config that contains the key into chat, email or git. **Rate limits.** Instantly's [blog post](https://instantly.ai/blog/instantly-mcp-server-connect-your-ai-assistant-directly-to-your-cold-email-platform/) says API rate limits apply per workspace and are shared across every API key in that workspace. If you see a 429, wait for the reset. Batch work instead of one lead at a time. **Wrong product.** Search results for "instantly mcp" sometimes mean Instant Reply, Instacart, or a Composio skill. The hosted Instantly.ai server is `https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp`. **Writes you did not mean to approve.** Instantly marks delete actions and says the AI typically confirms first. If a prompt would pause live campaigns or reply to a lead, ask for a list first, then confirm. ## Run this in your agent Connect Manifold to your agent, then paste this prompt: ```text Find B2B SaaS companies in the US with 50 to 200 employees. For each, find a VP of Sales, get a verified work email, check the address, then add those people to a draft Instantly campaign called Q1 SaaS Outreach. Show me the draft before you create it. ``` It uses [`leads_search_companies`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_companies), [`leads_search_people`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_search_people), [`leads_get_email`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_get_email) and [`leads_get_email_status`](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/docs/tools/leads#leads_get_email_status). ## Questions people ask ### Is the Instantly MCP free? Instantly says the MCP server is free with your Instantly subscription, and that you need an account with API access. Instantly's February 2026 blog post says API access is included on the Growth plan and above. Check that your plan includes API access. ### What is the Instantly MCP server URL? https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp. Instantly documents Streamable HTTP. Send your API key in the Authorization header, or use https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY if the client cannot set custom headers. ### Does Instantly MCP work with ChatGPT? Instantly does not document a ChatGPT setup. On a paid ChatGPT plan you can add a remote MCP server at chatgpt.com/plugins (Add, then Create custom MCP server) and paste the Instantly URL. ### Does Instantly MCP use an API key? Yes, Instantly's help center documents an API key in the Authorization header, or in the URL path. The hosted server also advertises OAuth sign-in, so a client that supports MCP OAuth may show an Instantly sign-in instead of asking for a key. ### Can Instantly MCP send emails? It can create and manage campaigns, and it can view and reply to emails in your Instantly inbox. Instantly says the AI can do what you can do in the dashboard. Review campaign creates and replies before you approve them. ### Should I use the hosted server or the GitHub package? Use the hosted server at mcp.instantly.ai for most setups. Instantly's February 2026 blog post walks through bcharleson/Instantly-MCP, a local Python package. Use that if you want the key to stay on your machine or need to change the code. ## Keep reading - [HubSpot MCP: how to set it up in Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/hubspot-mcp.md): HubSpot's official MCP server connects Claude, ChatGPT and Cursor to your HubSpot CRM. This guide covers admin setup, how to connect in each client, verification steps, prompts that work well, and when you need complementary research tools. - [The best lead generation MCP servers](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/best-lead-generation-mcp-servers.md): Lead generation MCP servers let your agent find companies, search for people by title, and verify work emails. Here is what each covers, what it costs, how it connects, and which to pick. - [Clay MCP: set up Clay's official server](https://www.manifoldmcp.com/blog/clay-mcp.md): Clay's official MCP server brings Clay's people search, enrichment and Functions into Claude and ChatGPT. This guide covers what it costs, the admin setup in Clay, connecting each client, prompts to start with, and the gotchas in Clay's docs.