Cursor MCP server for WhatsApp and Instagram DMs.
Add one block to mcp.json and Cursor's agent can read your inbox, check your plan's API limits, and rehearse sends with a test key. Free is read-only. Paid plans can send.
~/.cursor/mcp.json (global) or .cursor/mcp.json (project)
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
]
}
}
}No key needed to start. Ask Cursor to connect InstantReply and approve the code in your browser.
Set up Cursor
Install the InstantReply server in Cursor
Config paths for Cursor come from Cursor's public docs and can change between releases. If a step does not match your version, check the Cursor MCP docs.
- 01
Create the file
Save the block as ~/.cursor/mcp.json to use it in every project, or as .cursor/mcp.json inside one repo.
- 02
Turn it on
Open Cursor's settings and find the MCP section. The instantreply server should be listed. Switch it on and wait for the tools to load.
- 03
Connect your workspace
Open the agent chat and type: Connect InstantReply. Cursor calls start_setup and shows a link and a code to approve.
Config options
mcp.json (npx)
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
]
}
}
}Remote URL, no Node.js
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"url": "https://api.instantreply.co/mcp"
}
}
}With an API key or test key
{
"mcpServers": {
"instantreply": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
],
"env": {
"INSTANTREPLY_API_KEY": "ir_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}What is specific to Cursor
- Global config is ~/.cursor/mcp.json. A project file at .cursor/mcp.json applies to that repo only.
- Cursor's agent asks you to approve MCP tool calls by default. Keep that on for send_message and other write tools.
- An ir_test_ key passed as INSTANTREPLY_API_KEY only reaches five simulated routes: message send, conversation message send, campaign send, automation trigger, and comment reply. Every other call is rejected.
- The remote form uses a url instead of a command, so it needs no Node.js on the machine.
What you can ask
Three workflows in Cursor
- 01
Write code that respects your plan's limits
Ask Cursor to read your key's capabilities and rate limits before it writes a client. It sees which scopes the key has, how many requests per minute the plan allows, and the webhook quota, then sizes retries and batching to match.
get_developer_capabilitiesget_developer_limits - 02
Rehearse sends with a test key
Put an ir_test_ key in the env block and ask Cursor to send a message. The call returns a synthetic response and reaches no customer. Switch to a live key only when the flow behaves.
send_messagereply_to_comment - 03
Answer a lead without leaving the editor
Have Cursor pull the thread, run the draft_reply prompt in your tone, and send after you approve. On WhatsApp a free-form reply needs an open 24-hour window; outside it, Cursor has to use an approved template.
get_conversationsend_messagesend_whatsapp_template
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.
Cursor MCP questions
Should I use the global or the project mcp.json in Cursor?
Use ~/.cursor/mcp.json when you want InstantReply in every project. Use .cursor/mcp.json when only one repo needs it, for example the repo that holds your integration. Neither file needs a secret if you pair through the browser.
How do I test without messaging real customers?
Create an ir_test_ key and set it as INSTANTREPLY_API_KEY. Test keys are limited to five simulated routes and return synthetic responses. They cannot read live conversations or contacts.
Why do write tools fail on my workspace?
Free keys are trimmed to read-only scopes on every request, and the pricing page lists MCP as not included on Creator. Starter, Growth, Pro, Dev Hobby, Dev Pro, and Dev Scale include the full tool set.
Which channels can Cursor reach on a Developer plan?
Dev Hobby covers Instagram only. Dev Pro and Dev Scale add Messenger. WhatsApp is on the Growth and Pro business plans and during the 7-day trial, so a Developer plan alone will not expose WhatsApp conversations.
More: MCP overview, developer quickstart, API reference, MCP inbox guide, WhatsApp API Python tutorial.
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Give Cursor an inbox to work with.
Connect Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, then let Cursor read threads and draft replies while you work. Writes need a paid plan.