> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developer.instantly.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quickstart

> Connect your AI assistant to the Instantly MCP server in a few minutes.

Connect the hosted Instantly MCP server to your AI assistant and start managing your workspace through natural language.

## Prerequisites

* An Instantly workspace with an [API v2 key](/getting-started/getting-started).
* An MCP-compatible AI assistant (Claude Desktop, Cursor, Windsurf, or any MCP client).

<Steps>
  <Step title="Get your API key">
    Open [**Settings > Integrations > API Keys**](https://app.instantly.ai/app/settings/integrations) and create an API v2 key. Select the scopes your workflows need.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Connect your MCP client">
    Choose your AI assistant and add the Instantly MCP server configuration.

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Claude Desktop">
        Open **Settings > Connectors > Add custom connector**, then enter the server URL:

        ```
        https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY
        ```

        Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your Instantly API key. Claude Desktop connects to the remote server automatically.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Cursor">
        Add the following to `~/.cursor/mcp.json`:

        ```json theme={null}
        {
          "mcpServers": {
            "instantly": {
              "url": "https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY"
            }
          }
        }
        ```

        Replace `YOUR_API_KEY` with your Instantly API key.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Other MCP clients">
        Configure your MCP client with the hosted server URL and your API key in the `Authorization` header:

        ```
        URL: https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp
        Header: Authorization: YOUR_API_KEY
        ```

        If your client does not support custom headers, you can include the key in the URL path instead:

        ```
        https://mcp.instantly.ai/mcp/YOUR_API_KEY
        ```
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Warning>
      Keep your API key secure. Never share MCP configuration files that contain your key.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Test the connection">
    Open your AI assistant and ask it to list your email accounts:

    > "List all my email accounts in Instantly."

    If the connection is working, the assistant calls the `list_accounts` tool and returns your accounts.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Example prompts

Once connected, try these prompts with your AI assistant:

* "Show me the analytics for my campaign called 'Q3 Outreach'."
* "Create a new lead list named 'Enterprise Prospects'."
* "How many unread emails do I have?"
* "Pause all active campaigns."
* "Add these 10 leads to my 'Cold Email' campaign."

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Available tools" icon="wrench" href="/mcp/tools">
    Browse the tools the MCP server exposes by category.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Authentication" icon="key" href="/mcp/authentication">
    Learn about all supported authentication methods.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>