How to Connect Item 12 LinkedIn MCP to Claude Desktop
· how-to
Claude Desktop supports MCP connectors for external tools. Item 12's LinkedIn MCP gives Claude access to your CRM — mirrored inbox, pipeline, LinkedIn search, agents, and posts — scoped to your workspace permissions.
Option A: Remote MCP connector (recommended)
Claude Desktop → Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector. Enter the MCP server URL https://item12.com/mcp and set authentication to Bearer with your Item 12 token. Save and restart Claude if prompted.
Option B: claude_desktop_config.json
On macOS, edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json. Add an item12 entry using mcp-remote to proxy the hosted server:
Create your token first
Sign in to Item 12 → Settings → ChatGPT / Claude / MCP → Create token & copy. Connect LinkedIn in Settings before running search or send tools.
Verify and start using Claude for deals
Ask Claude: "Using Item 12, give me a pre-call brief on the contact at [LinkedIn profile URL] — notes, deal stage, and recent inbox messages." Claude should chain get_contact, list_notes, and read_thread tools.
Claude prompts AEs love
- Summarize every open task and note on this account before my QBR
- Move the Helix AI deal to Meeting stage and log budget confirmed
- List inbox threads where the contact replied positively this week
- Draft a follow-up DM for review — do not send until I approve in Item 12
Why does Claude config use mcp-remote?
Some Claude Desktop builds expect stdio MCP processes. mcp-remote bridges stdio to Item 12's hosted Streamable HTTP server — you still connect to item12.com/mcp, not a local CRM install.
Can I use Claude.ai in the browser?
Browser Claude supports connectors on eligible plans. Desktop is the most reliable path for full MCP tool access today.