Zed MCP server for WhatsApp and Instagram DMs.
Add InstantReply as a custom context server in Zed's settings and the agent panel can validate WhatsApp templates, recommend a plan, and read analytics. Free is read-only. Paid plans can write.
Zed settings.json → context_servers
{
"context_servers": {
"instantreply": {
"source": "custom",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
],
"env": {}
}
}
}No key needed to start. Ask Zed to connect InstantReply and approve the code in your browser.
Set up Zed
Install the InstantReply server in Zed
Config paths for Zed come from Zed Industries's public docs and can change between releases. If a step does not match your version, check the Zed MCP docs.
- 01
Open settings.json
Run the zed: open settings command, then add the instantreply entry under context_servers. Zed has changed this format before, so compare against its MCP docs if the server does not appear.
- 02
Check the agent panel
Open Zed's agent panel and look for instantreply in the server list. A green indicator means it started. Restart Zed if it did not.
- 03
Connect your workspace
In the agent panel type: Connect InstantReply. It calls start_setup and returns a link and a code to approve. Restart the server afterwards so every tool loads.
Config options
settings.json
{
"context_servers": {
"instantreply": {
"source": "custom",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
],
"env": {}
}
}
}With an API key
{
"context_servers": {
"instantreply": {
"source": "custom",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@instantreply.co/mcp"
],
"env": {
"INSTANTREPLY_API_KEY": "ir_live_YOUR_KEY_HERE"
}
}
}
}What is specific to Zed
- Zed calls MCP servers context servers and reads them from the context_servers key in settings.json, not from an mcpServers key.
- Environment variables go in an env object next to command and args.
- The zero-key pairing flow is the same as in the other clients. Only the settings shape differs.
- Zed is the one client here where the config format has moved between releases, so treat the snippet as a starting point and confirm it against Zed's docs.
What you can ask
Three workflows in Zed
- 01
Check a template draft before you submit it
Edit your template copy in a Zed buffer, then ask the agent to validate the goal. It returns policy risk, the likely category, and coaching toward UTILITY. The utility_rewrite_loop prompt reworks copy that Meta would treat as marketing.
validate_template_draftvalidate_template - 02
Work out which plan fits
Describe your channels, monthly message volume, and team size. The agent returns a recommendation with reasons, a cheaper option when one still fits, and a warning if WhatsApp needs Meta Business Verification.
recommend_plan - 03
Read-only audit on a Free workspace
List conversations and pull the analytics summary. Both are read tools, so they work on Free. Nothing the agent does can change data on a read-only key.
list_conversationsget_analytics_summaryget_usage
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.
Zed MCP questions
Where do I put the InstantReply config in Zed?
Open settings.json with the zed: open settings command and add the server under context_servers with source set to custom. Zed has revised this format, so confirm the current shape in Zed's MCP documentation.
Does zero-key pairing work in Zed?
Yes. Leave the env object empty and ask the agent to connect InstantReply. It calls start_setup, you approve the link, and the key is stored at ~/.instantreply/config.json. Restart the server so the full tool set loads.
What can Zed do on the Free plan?
Free keys are read-only. Zed can list conversations and contacts, read analytics and usage, and use the connection guide. Sending and template changes need a paid plan.
How do I see what my key is allowed to do?
Ask the agent to run get_developer_capabilities for the scopes and plan tier, and get_developer_limits for rate limits and quotas. Both are read tools and work on every plan that includes MCP.
More: MCP overview, developer quickstart, API reference, MCP inbox guide, WhatsApp API Python tutorial.
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Connect Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, then let Zed read threads and draft replies while you work. Writes need a paid plan.