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How to connect Hunter to Claude with MCP

Connect Hunter to Claude using the Model Context Protocol (MCP) so you can search for emails, find leads, and run domain searches without leaving your chat.

Hunter integrates with Claude through the Model Context Protocol (MCP), letting you search for email addresses, find leads, and run domain searches using natural language, without leaving your Claude session.

This article walks you through connecting Hunter to Claude, whether you're using the Claude web or desktop app.

If you came here from the quick-start on hunter.io/mcp, here's what you saw:

Step 2 there — "Add the remote MCP server" — uses the same server URL as Method 1 below. The difference: Claude's connector setup logs you in with one-click OAuth, so you won't need to paste an API key there. You'll only need the API key from Step 1 if you're using Method 2 (the config file).

Prerequisites

To connect Hunter to Claude, you'll need:

  • A Hunter account: create one for free if you don't have one

  • An API key from your Hunter dashboard: only needed if you're using Method 2 below; Method 1 authenticates with one-click OAuth instead

Add the server

There are two ways to add Hunter as an MCP server in Claude, depending on your plan and role.

Method 1: Claude connector settings

This is the easiest way to connect Hunter to Claude. It works in both the Claude web app and the Claude desktop app.

💡 On Claude Team and Enterprise plans, only workspace Owners can add custom connectors. If you're a member on one of these plans and don't see the option, use Method 2 instead.

  1. Open Claude.

  2. Click "Customize" in the left sidebar.

  3. Select "Connectors".

  4. Click "Add custom connector".

  5. Fill in the following:

    • Name: Hunter

    • Remote MCP server URL: https://mcp.hunter.io/mcp

  6. Click "Add".

  7. Click "Connect".

  8. Log in and authorize access in the Hunter login window that opens.

Once connected, start a new chat. You can ask Claude things like: "Use Hunter to find the email pattern for stripe.com" and it will respond using your Hunter account.

Method 2: Configuration file (Claude Desktop)

Use this method if you're a non-Owner member on a Claude Team or Enterprise plan, or if you prefer to authenticate with your API key directly.

  1. Open Claude Desktop.

  2. Go to "Settings" → "Developer" → "Edit Config" to open your claude_desktop_config.json file.

  3. Add the following inside mcpServers:

    { "mcpServers": { "hunter": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.hunter.io/mcp", "--header", "X-API-Key:${HUNTER_API_KEY}" ], "env": { "HUNTER_API_KEY": "YOUR_HUNTER_API_KEY" } } } }

  4. Replace YOUR_HUNTER_API_KEY with your key from your Hunter dashboard.

  5. Save the file.

  6. Fully restart Claude Desktop (quit and reopen, don't just close the window).

👉 This method keeps your API key out of your command line and process list by passing it through an environment variable (env), rather than inline in the request header. It requires Node.js to be installed on your machine, since it uses npx to run mcp-remote.

How to confirm the connection is working

Start a new chat and ask: "Use Hunter to find the email pattern for stripe.com."

If Hunter returns results, you're all set.

Troubleshooting

If Hunter isn't responding to Claude after connecting, check the following:

  • Make sure you started a new chat after connecting — MCP connections aren't picked up mid-conversation.

  • If you used Method 2, confirm you fully restarted Claude Desktop (quit and reopen, don't just close the window).

  • Double-check that your API key is correct and active in your Hunter dashboard.

Still stuck? Our support team can help you get set up.

Contact our support team
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