How to Connect Smartlead MCP to Claude

With the Smartlead MCP server, you can now access and interact with your Smartlead data directly inside Claude. This integration allows you to manage campaigns, retrieve insights, and perform diagnostics seamlessly - without ever leaving your chat interface!

This guide will walk you step-by-step through setting up the integration using Server-Sent Events (SSE).

What is MCP?

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that lets AI models securely interact with external apps and data sources. With Smartlead MCP, Claude can now:

• Fetch campaign insights in real time

• Run deliverability and health diagnostics

• Access lead, account, and performance data

• Use Smartlead APIs securely — without manual requests

Tip: The Smartlead MCP integration works only via SSE (Server-Sent Events) for now. HTTPS transport is not supported.

Step 1. Get Your Smartlead API Key

1. Log in to your Smartlead Dashboard.

2. Go to Settings → API Keys.

3. Click Generate API Key (if you don’t already have one).

4. Copy your API key - we’ll use it in the next step.

Important: Treat your API key like a password. Do not share it publicly.

Step 2. Locate Claude's Configuration File

Depending on your OS, open the Claude desktop configuration file:

• For Mac:

  ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  

• For Windows:

  %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
  

Open this file in any text editor like VS Code, Sublime, or Notepad.

Step 3. Add Smartlead MCP Configuration

Inside claude_desktop_config.json, add the following configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "smartlead": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "mcp-remote",
        "https://mcp.smartlead.ai/sse?user_api_key=<YOUR_API_KEY>"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Key Notes

• Replace <YOUR_API_KEY> with the key from Step 1.

• Ensure you don’t delete any existing configurations if you already have other MCP servers set up.

• Make sure you have Node.js installed, as npx is required to run the remote MCP module.

  • Download Node.js: https://nodejs.org

Step 4. Enable MCP Tools in Claude

Once your configuration is saved:

1. Open the Claude desktop app.

2. Go to Settings → Integrations.

3. Locate Smartlead MCP under available integrations.

4. Toggle Enable for new chats.

Step 5. Authenticate & Test

1. Open a new chat in Claude.

2. Type /mcp.

3. Claude will authenticate using your API key.

4. If successful, you’ll see available Smartlead commands you can now run, like:

   • get_campaign_status

   • fetch_lead_data

   • check_deliverability

5. Start interacting directly with your Smartlead account.

Step 6. Troubleshooting

mcp-remote: command not found

Node.js / npx missing

Step 7. What's Next

With MCP set up, you can:

• View real-time campaign stats

• Run deliverability and spam diagnostics

• Query lead and sender data

• Integrate with advanced recipes and workflows (coming soon)

FAQ: Smartlead MCP + Claude Setup

1. What is Smartlead MCP?

Smartlead MCP lets Claude interact with your Smartlead data using Model Context Protocol. You can fetch stats, diagnose campaigns, and access leads in real time — all without switching tabs.

2. Does Smartlead MCP support HTTPS integration?

No. For now, Smartlead MCP only supports SSE (Server-Sent Events). All setup instructions in this article assume SSE transport.

3. Where can I find my API key?

Go to Smartlead Dashboard → Settings → API Keys and copy your API key. If you don’t have one, click Generate API Key.

4. Can I use the same setup in Claude Web?

Currently, MCP integrations are supported only in Claude Desktop. Web support will come later.

5. Are my API keys secure?

Yes. Your API keys stay local in your Claude config file and are used only to authenticate with Smartlead MCP. Never share them publicly.

6. Do I need coding experience to set this up?

No, you don’t. Just follow the steps above — everything is copy-paste friendly.

7. I set everything up, but /mcp doesn’t work. What should I do?

Check the following:

• Ensure you saved the config file.

• Make sure you have Node.js installed.

• Verify that MCP tools are enabled under Claude Integrations.

8. Will there be recipes and workflows I can use with MCP?

Yes! Soon we’ll release curated recipes, hacks, and shortcuts that leverage MCP to automate campaign insights, deliverability checks, and lead management directly via Claude.