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

# MCP Setup

> Connect LinkupAPI to Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, or any MCP-compatible LLM in under 2 minutes.

## What is MCP?

The **Model Context Protocol (MCP)** lets LLMs call LinkupAPI directly — all social platform and B2B intelligence tools become native capabilities of your AI assistant.

## Endpoint

```
https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp
```

Two ways to authenticate:

* **OAuth 2.1** (recommended) — approve access from the LinkupAPI dashboard, no key to paste. Supported by Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, Gemini, VS Code, and most modern MCP clients.
* **API key** — pass your key via the `x-api-key` header. Works everywhere, useful for headless setups or clients without OAuth.

Get your API key at [app.linkupapi.com](https://app.linkupapi.com).

## Claude (Desktop / Code)

### Option 1 — OAuth (recommended)

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http linkupapi https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp
```

On first use, Claude opens `app.linkupapi.com/mcp/authorize` in your browser. Sign in and click **Authorize** — Claude is connected.

### Option 2 — API key

```bash theme={null}
claude mcp add --transport http linkupapi https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp --header "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY"
```

Restart Claude — all LinkupAPI tools are now available.

## ChatGPT (Custom Connectors)

In ChatGPT → **Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector**:

* **Name:** LinkupAPI
* **Server URL:** `https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp`
* **Authentication:** choose **OAuth** to authorize from the dashboard, or **Custom header** with `x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY`

Save and enable the connector in your chat.

## Cursor

Add to `~/.cursor/mcp.json` (global) or `.cursor/mcp.json` (project):

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linkupapi": {
      "url": "https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Cursor auto-discovers OAuth on first use and opens the LinkupAPI authorize page. To skip OAuth and use an API key, add `"headers": { "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY" }`.

## Gemini (gemini-cli / Gemini Code Assist)

Add to `~/.gemini/settings.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linkupapi": {
      "httpUrl": "https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Restart Gemini — it triggers the OAuth flow automatically. For API key auth, add `"headers": { "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY" }`.

## VS Code (GitHub Copilot)

Add to `.vscode/mcp.json`:

```json theme={null}
{
  "servers": {
    "linkupapi": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}
```

Click **Auth** above the server entry to trigger OAuth in your browser. Tokens are stored in the OS keychain.

## Windsurf / other clients without OAuth

Windsurf's Cascade doesn't implement the MCP OAuth flow natively. Use API key auth:

```json theme={null}
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linkupapi": {
      "url": "https://mcp.linkupapi.com/mcp",
      "transport": "http",
      "headers": {
        "x-api-key": "YOUR_API_KEY"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Or wrap the server with [`mcp-remote`](https://github.com/geelen/mcp-remote) to get OAuth via a stdio bridge.

## Verify it works

Ask your LLM: *"Validate the email [elon.musk@tesla.com](mailto:elon.musk@tesla.com) using LinkupAPI"*. It should call the `validate_email` tool and return a result.

## Support

Issues? Reach us at [support@linkupapi.com](mailto:support@linkupapi.com) or via the [dashboard support page](https://app.linkupapi.com/support).


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