How do I connect InstantDM to Claude or another AI assistant? (MCP)

Works on: Web app
Plan: Trendsetter and above
5 min
Last checked October 24, 2026

Short answer

Click API & MCP on Home, open MCP, generate a key and copy the Connection URL. In Claude, go to Settings, Connectors, Add custom connector, paste the URL and save. It's on Trendsetter and above, and new accounts can use it in their first week.

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MCP is a standard way for AI assistants to use other apps. With it, you can ask Claude things like “Show me the comments on my latest reel and group them by what people are asking for.”

Before you start

Trendsetter and above. New accounts can also use it during their first week.
An AI app that supports custom MCP connectors, such as Claude.ai, Claude Desktop or Claude Code.
Ad comments and Facebook Page features also need your Page connected with Facebook Login.

Steps

On Home, click API & MCP at the top right.
Click the MCP section (“Let Claude run your account for you”). You’ll see the MCP Server card.
If you have no key yet, click Generate Key in the box “Generate an API key to get your connection URL”.
Under API Key, pick the key. Under Connection URL, click the copy icon.
Under Set Up Your Client, pick your app and follow the line shown:
- Claude.ai / Desktop: in Claude, open Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector. Give it a name (for example “InstantDM”), paste the URL and save.
- Claude Code: copy the command shown, run it in your terminal, then type /mcp in Claude Code to check it.
- Other clients: copy the settings text shown and add it to your app’s MCP settings.
In Claude, try a starter prompt from How to Ask Claude, for example “Go through my recent DMs and draft a reply for each one. Do not send them yet.”

On the phone app

The phone app has no API or MCP settings. Use the web app at app.instantdm.com for this.

What Claude can do

Read and sort comments, and reply publicly or by DM.
Go through your DM conversations and draft or send replies.
Publish an image, Reel, story or carousel right away.
Report on reach, views and saves for your account or a post.
Read and reply to comments on your ads (Facebook Login needed).
Read and reply to Facebook Page comments and send Messenger messages.
Start one of your flows for a contact, and tag contacts.
Pause all your automations.

Good to know

The Connection URL contains your key. Anyone with it can act on your account. Treat it like a password and don’t paste it in shared chats.

Each key belongs to the InstantDM account you’re on. If you manage several accounts, switch to each one and create a connection for it.
Claude can’t schedule posts or create automations. It publishes right away.

What you can’t do

Use it on Free after the first week, or on Legend Pro.
Set up automations, flows or schedules through Claude.

How to turn it off

Open API & MCP → API. Under API Keys, click the bin icon on the key and confirm Revoke. Any AI app using that key is disconnected.

If it doesn’t work

Generate Key is greyed out, or you see “Upgrade Required” or “Free Trial Ended” → your plan doesn’t include API & MCP. Upgrade to Trendsetter or above.
Claude says it’s out of credits or hit an hourly limit → wait, or check your plan in My Plan.
Ad tools return nothing → connect your Facebook Page. See Why can’t I see my ads in InstantDM?

Questions people also ask

Does it cost credits?

Reading comments, DMs and stats is free. Each message Claude sends for you (a reply or a DM) uses 1 credit, the same as an automation.

Will Claude send messages without asking me?

InstantDM tells Claude to show you the exact text and who it goes to, and to ask before sending. Read it before you say yes, because the message goes to a real person.

How do I disconnect Claude?

Open API & MCP, go to the API section, and click the bin icon next to the key under API Keys. Confirm Revoke. Claude loses access straight away.

Does it work with other AI apps?

The setup page gives steps for Claude.ai / Desktop and Claude Code, and a general Other clients option for apps that accept an MCP settings file. Follow that app's own instructions for adding an MCP server.