How to Connect Item 12 LinkedIn MCP (Complete Setup Guide)
· how-to
Item 12 hosts a remote LinkedIn MCP server at https://item12.com/mcp — no self-hosting, no scraping stack. One Bearer token connects Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, Cursor, Windsurf, or any MCP client to your workspace: LinkedIn search, inbox, pipeline, agents, and posts with the same review queue as the web app.
How to set up hosted LinkedIn MCP for your team
Team rollout starts in the Item 12 web app, not in JSON config files. An admin creates the workspace, invites teammates, and each rep connects their LinkedIn account via hosted OAuth in Settings. Every user generates their own MCP token — tokens inherit workspace permissions but are revocable individually. Managers see the shared review queue; reps use Claude Desktop, ChatGPT, or Cursor against the same CRM graph.
- Admin: create workspace → Settings → invite team → connect LinkedIn
- Each rep: accept invite → connect LinkedIn → create MCP token
- Pick a client guide below (Claude Desktop recommended, then ChatGPT, Cursor, Windsurf)
- Run read-only verification before enabling write tools
- Daily workflows: see our LinkedIn MCP prompts guide
Security and remote access
Hosted MCP means LinkedIn session credentials stay on Item 12's server — reps only store a Bearer token in their AI client. For remote teams, this beats sharing LinkedIn passwords or running local scrapers on personal laptops. Rotate tokens when someone leaves; workspace admins can revoke access without resetting LinkedIn for the whole org.
What you need before connecting
- An Item 12 account — free tier includes 100 credits/mo and full MCP access
- LinkedIn connected in Settings (hosted auth wizard)
- An MCP access token from Settings → ChatGPT / Claude / MCP (API bridge)
- An AI client with MCP support (see client guides below)
Connection details (every client uses these)
- MCP URL: https://item12.com/mcp
- Transport: Streamable HTTP (remote URL)
- Authentication: Bearer token (your Item 12 MCP access token)
- Active workspace: matches your last selected workspace in the web app when the token was created
Pick your AI client
| Tool | Category | Best for | Price | Key strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claude Desktop | Desktop app | Daily sales — deal prep, inbox triage, and pipeline in conversation | Free Item 12 tier works | Remote connector or mcp-remote via config JSON |
| ChatGPT | Browser + mobile | Reps who live in ChatGPT with Developer mode | Free Item 12 tier works | Custom MCP app — no local config file |
| Cursor | IDE + Agent mode | Technical SDRs and builders automating outreach | Free Item 12 tier works | Direct URL + Bearer header in mcp.json |
| Windsurf | AI IDE | Teams already on Windsurf Cascade | Free Item 12 tier works | Same remote MCP pattern as Claude Desktop |
Client-specific setup guides
- Claude Desktop — add remote MCP connector or claude_desktop_config.json (recommended)
- ChatGPT — enable Developer mode, create MCP app with Bearer auth
- Cursor — add server to ~/.cursor/mcp.json (step-by-step guide)
- Windsurf — add server in MCP settings or mcp_config.json
- Daily prompts — 10 MCP workflows for morning inbox and prospecting
Verify the connection
After saving config, reload MCP in your client and run a read-only prompt first: "List my Item 12 workspaces" or "Search contacts tagged outbound-prospect." Then try LinkedIn search: "Search LinkedIn for VP Sales at Series B SaaS in the US." Tools should appear under the item12 server.
What MCP can do on Item 12
- LinkedIn people search and import to lists (search is free)
- Contact enrich — email/phone, 5 credits per contact
- Read mirrored inbox threads and full deal context
- Move pipeline stages, add notes, create tasks
- Enroll contacts into outbound agents
- Publish or schedule LinkedIn posts
- All LinkedIn sends queue for human review before going live
Do I need to run a local MCP server?
No. Item 12 hosts the MCP server at item12.com/mcp. Claude Desktop can use mcp-remote in config, but you still connect to the hosted URL — no Node process or LinkedIn API keys on your machine.
Is MCP included on the free plan?
Yes. Free tier includes 100 credits/mo and full MCP tool access. LinkedIn search via MCP is free; enrichment uses credits.
Which client should I start with?
Claude Desktop for daily sales — deal prep, inbox triage, and pipeline in conversation. ChatGPT if your team already uses GPT for research. Cursor if you want Agent mode in your IDE. All use the same token and URL.
How do I set up hosted LinkedIn MCP for my team?
Invite teammates to your Item 12 workspace, have each connect LinkedIn in Settings, and create individual MCP tokens. Shared pipeline and review queue are visible to managers automatically.
Is Item 12 MCP secure for remote access?
Use https://item12.com/mcp with Bearer token auth. LinkedIn connects once per workspace via hosted OAuth — no local cookies or scraping keys on rep laptops.