Setup ZeroBounce MCP

Prerequisites

• Node.js installed (verify with node --version)
• ZeroBounce API key from ZeroBounce Dashboard
• Cursor installed and ready to configure

Install the ZeroBounce MCP server globally:

npm install -g @zerobounce/mcpCopy

1. Open Cursor Settings

   Click on the Cursor menu and select "Settings" → "Cursor Settings"

2. Navigate to MCP Tab

   Look for the "MCP" section in settings

3. Add New Server

   Click "Add new global MCP server" to open the configuration editor

4. Paste Configuration

   Copy and paste the configuration JSON, replacing YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key

5. Restart Cursor

   Close and reopen Cursor for the changes to take effect

Configuration JSON:

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Important: Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key.

1. Open the Composer (⌘/Ctrl + I)
2. Try a test command: "How many ZeroBounce credits do I have?"
3. You should see the server respond with your credit balance

Usage Examples

Try these commands in your AI client:

• "Validate the email \"test@example.com\""
• "Check if \"user@domain.com\" is valid"
• "How many credits do I have?"

Troubleshooting

Server Not Appearing

• Ensure you're using Cursor v1 or greater (check Help → About)
• Verify Node.js is installed: run node --version in terminal
• Restart Cursor completely (quit and reopen)
• Check the MCP configuration in Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP

Invalid API Key

• Verify your API key at ZeroBounce Dashboard
• Ensure there are no extra spaces in the configuration
• Check that the API key hasn't expired
• Try regenerating your API key in the dashboard

Connection Errors

• Check your internet connection
• Verify no firewall is blocking api.zerobounce.net
• Check if a proxy is interfering with connections
• Try using a different network

Prerequisites

• Node.js installed (verify with node --version)
• ZeroBounce API key from ZeroBounce Dashboard
• VS Code installed and ready to configure

Install the ZeroBounce MCP server globally:

npm install -g @zerobounce/mcpCopy

1. Install MCP Extension

   Open VS Code, press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (macOS), search for "Model Context Protocol" or "MCP" and install the official MCP extension

2. Open Command Palette

   Press Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS)

3. Add MCP Server

   Type "MCP: Add Server" and select it from the list

4. Choose Settings Location

   Select whether to add the server for the current workspace or globally for your user

5. Paste Configuration

   Copy and paste the configuration JSON, replacing YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key

6. Save Configuration

   The MCP server should now be available in VS Code

Configuration JSON:

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Important: Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key.

1. Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P)
2. Type and select "MCP: List Available Tools"
3. Look for ZeroBounce tools in the list
4. Try a test command: "How many ZeroBounce credits do I have?"

Usage Examples

Try these commands in your AI client:

• "Validate the email \"test@example.com\""
• "Check if \"user@domain.com\" is valid"
• "How many credits do I have?"

Troubleshooting

MCP Extension Not Found

• Search for "Model Context Protocol" in the Extensions marketplace
• Ensure you're using an up-to-date version of VS Code
• Check that extensions are not blocked by your organization's policy

Server Not Appearing

• Verify Node.js is installed: run node --version in integrated terminal
• Check MCP extension is enabled (Extensions → MCP → Enabled)
• Restart VS Code completely
• View MCP logs via Command Palette → "MCP: Show Logs"

Invalid API Key

• Double-check your API key at ZeroBounce Dashboard
• Ensure no extra spaces or characters in the configuration
• Verify the API key hasn't expired
• Try regenerating your API key

Connection Errors

• Check your internet connection
• Verify firewall allows api.zerobounce.net
• Check proxy settings in VS Code (File → Preferences → Settings → Proxy)
• Disable VPN temporarily to test

What you need

1. A ZeroBounce account with credits. Sign up or log in.
2. Your API key from the ZeroBounce API dashboard.
3. A Claude plan that supports custom connectors: Free (one custom connector), Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise. Custom connectors work in Claude on the web, Claude Desktop, Cowork, and the mobile apps.

1. Open the ZeroBounce API dashboard and sign in.
2. Copy your API key.
3. Confirm you have credits (validation uses 1 credit per email; unknown results are not charged).

Keep the key private. Paste it only on the ZeroBounce connect page that Claude opens — not into Claude settings.

Leave OAuth Client ID and OAuth Client Secret empty. Claude registers itself automatically. Do not put your ZeroBounce API key in request headers.

Pro, Max, or Free (individual)

1. In Claude, go to Customize → Connectors.
2. Click +, then Add custom connector.
3. Name it something like ZeroBounce (optional).
4. Paste the connector URL above.
5. Click Add.
6. Click Connect. Your browser opens ZeroBounce’s connect page.

Team or Enterprise

Only an Owner or Primary Owner can add the connector for the organization. Members then connect with their own ZeroBounce keys.

Owner

1. Go to Organization settings → Connectors.
2. Click Add, hover Custom, choose Web.
3. Paste https://oauth-mcp.zerobounce.net/mcp.
4. Click Add. Do not fill advanced OAuth client fields.

Each member

1. Go to Customize → Connectors.
2. Find the connector (often labeled Custom).
3. Click Connect. The browser opens ZeroBounce’s connect page.

Each person uses their own API key. Claude only uses tools and credits for the account that signed in.

1. On the ZeroBounce page, paste your API key.
2. Click Connect.
3. You should return to Claude with the connector connected.

If the key is invalid or has extra spaces, the page shows an error. Copy the key again from the dashboard and retry.

1. Open a conversation.
2. Click + (lower left) → Connectors.
3. Turn ZeroBounce on for that chat.
4. Ask Claude to validate an address, for example:

• "Is test@example.com a valid email?"
• "Validate these emails: john@company.com, jane@gmail.com, info@startup.io"
• "Which of these should not be mailed: [paste a list]?"
• "Validate john@company.com and tell me the SMTP provider, whether it is a free email, and the MX record."

Allow the tool when Claude asks. Prefer Allow always only after you trust the connector in your workflow.

Tools

single_email_validation

batch_email_validation

How to read results

Troubleshooting

Invalid API key on the connect page

Copy the key again from the API dashboard. Remove spaces before and after.

Out of credits

Add credits or upgrade in your ZeroBounce account, then try again. You do not need to reconnect unless the key changed.

Connector shows as disconnected

Remove it in Customize → Connectors (or Organization settings → Connectors for owners) and add it again. Active use keeps the session alive; unused sessions eventually expire (access lasts up to 30 days, with a longer refresh window).

Connect never opens, or Claude says it cannot reach the server

Use the exact URL https://oauth-mcp.zerobounce.net/mcp (HTTPS, /mcp at the end). Do not use mcp.zerobounce.net for this OAuth connector.

Team member cannot add the URL

Ask an Owner to add the connector first. Then you only click Connect.

You filled Client ID / Secret or put the API key in headers

Remove the connector and add it again with only the URL. Authentication is the ZeroBounce connect page, not Claude’s advanced OAuth fields.

Wrong or extra tools in the chat

Turn off other connectors for that conversation, or disable unused tools in Search and tools.

Privacy and security

• Your API key is stored encrypted by ZeroBounce. It is not stored in Claude.
• Validation calls go to ZeroBounce using your key and your credits.
• Disconnect anytime in Claude (Customize → Connectors). After that, Claude cannot call ZeroBounce until you connect again.
• Only add this connector if you intend to validate emails with your ZeroBounce account.

Support

Email support@zerobounce.net or visit the ZeroBounce API documentation.

Prerequisites

• Node.js installed (verify with node --version)
• ZeroBounce API key from ZeroBounce Dashboard
• Other MCP Clients installed and ready to configure

Install the ZeroBounce MCP server globally:

npm install -g @zerobounce/mcpCopy

1. Install the MCP Server

   Run the installation command in your terminal

2. Locate Configuration File

   Find your client's configuration file location (see examples below)

3. Add Configuration

   Add the ZeroBounce MCP server configuration to your client's config file

4. Replace API Key

   Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key from the dashboard

5. Restart Client

   Restart your MCP client for the changes to take effect

Configuration JSON:

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Important: Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual ZeroBounce API key.

Client-Specific Examples

Claude Desktop

Config location: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Continue (VS Code Extension)

Config location: .continue/config.json (workspace or home directory)

config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": [ { "name": "zerobounce", "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } ] }

Zed Editor

Config location: ~/.config/zed/settings.json

settings.jsonCopy

{ "mcp": { "servers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } } }

Claude Desktop

Config location: %APPDATA%\\Claude\\claude_desktop_config.json

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Continue (VS Code Extension)

Config location: .continue/config.json (workspace or home directory)

config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": [ { "name": "zerobounce", "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } ] }

Zed Editor

Config location: %APPDATA%\\Zed\\settings.json

settings.jsonCopy

{ "mcp": { "servers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } } }

Claude Desktop

Config location: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

mcp-config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } }

Continue (VS Code Extension)

Config location: .continue/config.json (workspace or home directory)

config.jsonCopy

{ "mcpServers": [ { "name": "zerobounce", "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } ] }

Zed Editor

Config location: ~/.config/zed/settings.json

settings.jsonCopy

{ "mcp": { "servers": { "zerobounce": { "command": "zerobounce-mcp", "args": ["--api-key=YOUR_API_KEY"] } } } }

Troubleshooting

Configuration File Not Found

• Check your client's documentation for the correct configuration file location
• Some clients may require creating the configuration file if it doesn't exist
• Ensure you have write permissions to the configuration directory

Invalid Configuration Format

• Verify the JSON syntax is correct (use a JSON validator)
• Check that your client uses the standard MCP configuration format
• Refer to your client's documentation for any format variations

Server Not Working

• Verify Node.js is installed: run node --version
• Ensure the zerobounce-mcp command is available in your PATH
• Check your client's logs for error messages
• Verify your API key is correct and active