Claude Desktop MCP server for WhatsApp and Instagram DMs.
Edit claude_desktop_config.json once and Claude Desktop can pull inbox analytics, audit template costs, and ask Barq for help. Free is read-only. You need Node.js installed for npx.
claude_desktop_config.json (macOS and Windows paths below)
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
]
}
}
}No key needed to start. Ask Claude Desktop to connect InstantReply and approve the code in your browser.
Set up Claude Desktop
Install the InstantReply server in Claude Desktop
Config paths for Claude Desktop come from Anthropic's public docs and can change between releases. If a step does not match your version, check the Claude Desktop MCP docs.
- 01
Open the config file
In Claude Desktop open Settings, then Developer, then Edit Config. macOS path: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Windows path: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json.
- 02
Paste the block and quit fully
Merge the instantreply entry into mcpServers, save, then quit Claude Desktop from the tray or menu bar and reopen it. Closing the window is not enough.
- 03
Connect your workspace
Start a chat and type: Connect InstantReply. Claude calls start_setup and shows a link and a code. Approve it, then restart the app once so the full tool set loads.
Config options
claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
]
}
}
}With an API key
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
],
"env": {
"INSTANTREPLY_API_KEY": "ir_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}What is specific to Claude Desktop
- Claude Desktop starts the server with npx, so Node.js 18 or newer must be installed and on your PATH.
- The config file is for local servers. Where your Claude plan allows custom connectors, add the remote URL in settings instead of this file.
- The pairing key is written to ~/.instantreply/config.json with owner-only permissions on macOS and Linux. Windows ignores those permission bits.
- Desktop is the best fit for non-code work: analytics summaries, template audits, and questions for Barq.
What you can ask
Three workflows in Claude Desktop
- 01
Read last week's numbers in one chat
Ask for the inbox summary. Claude pulls message volume, response times, AI usage, and conversion stats, then the weekly_inbox_digest prompt turns them into a short write-up you can paste into a standup.
get_analytics_summary - 02
Audit WhatsApp template costs
List your templates with usage stats, then run the audit_template_cost prompt. It asks you what business event justifies each template, so you can drop the ones that only add cost.
list_templates - 03
Ask Barq and approve in the dashboard
Ask Barq to do or explain anything in the account. Risky actions come back as pending approvals, and nothing runs until the approval is decided. Claude can list what is waiting.
ask_barqlist_pending_approvalsdecide_approval
What the server exposes
60 tools and 11 prompts, gated by plan
Free workspaces get read-only access. Creator does not include MCP. The MCP plans (MCP Starter, MCP Growth and MCP Pro) are built for bringing your own agent and model: they include the MCP tools but no InstantReply-hosted AI replies. Starter, Growth, Pro, and the three Developer plans include the full tool set. WhatsApp automation needs Growth or Pro, or the 7-day Pro trial that every new workspace starts with. See pricing for the plan table.
- Conversations and messages (7)
list_conversationsget_conversationlist_messagessend_messagereact_to_messageassign_conversationclose_conversation- Contacts (3)
list_contactsget_contactupdate_contact- Channels and per-channel AI (13)
list_channelslist_channel_groupsconnect_channelcreate_channel_groupupdate_channel_groupassign_channel_grouplist_channel_group_knowledgeadd_channel_group_knowledgedelete_channel_group_knowledgelist_channel_ai_providersset_channel_ai_providerdelete_channel_ai_providerset_channel_ai_replies- Comments and keyword automations (11)
list_keyword_automationscreate_keyword_automationupdate_keyword_automationdelete_keyword_automationlist_commentsget_commentreply_to_commentset_channel_comment_ai_repliesset_comment_ai_repliesget_comment_automation_settingsset_comment_keyword_rules- WhatsApp templates and journeys (13)
list_templatesget_templatevalidate_template_draftvalidate_templatesubmit_templatesubmit_stored_templatedelete_templatesend_whatsapp_templatetrigger_journeyvalidate_journey_triggercheck_journey_statuslist_journey_historytrigger_journey_batch- Analytics, limits, and diagnostics (7)
get_analytics_summaryget_usageget_developer_capabilitiesget_developer_onboardingget_developer_limitsrecommend_planexplain_delivery_failure- Barq and approvals (5)
ask_barqpropose_knowledge_entrypropose_follow_up_rulelist_pending_approvalsdecide_approval
Last verified: October 2, 2026, against the MCP server source and the plan table.
Claude Desktop MCP questions
Where is claude_desktop_config.json?
Open Settings, then Developer, then Edit Config, and Claude Desktop opens it for you. On macOS it is ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. On Windows it is %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json. Anthropic may move it, so check their MCP docs if the menu has changed.
Do I need Node.js for this?
Yes for the npx setup. The server runs as an npm package and Node.js 18 or newer must be installed. If you cannot install Node.js, use a custom connector with https://api.instantreply.co/mcp where your Claude plan supports it.
The tools do not appear after I save the file. What now?
Quit Claude Desktop completely from the tray or menu bar and reopen it. Then check that the JSON is valid and that instantreply sits inside mcpServers. After pairing, restart once more so the tools beyond start_setup load.
Where does Claude Desktop keep my InstantReply key?
Pairing saves it to ~/.instantreply/config.json on your machine. On macOS and Linux the file is created with owner-only permissions. You can revoke the key any time from the API keys page in your dashboard settings.
More: MCP overview, developer quickstart, API reference, MCP inbox guide, WhatsApp API Python tutorial.
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Give Claude Desktop an inbox to work with.
Connect Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, then let Claude Desktop read threads and draft replies while you work. Writes need a paid plan.