What can you do with this server?

This MCP server enables AI assistants to download various types of Instagram content to the local filesystem: * **Download Instagram posts** - Download images, videos, and carousel posts from Instagram URLs * **Download Instagram videos** - Download videos from posts, Reels, and IGTV * **Download Instagram stories** - Download stories from a target user (requires login) * **Download Instagram highlights** - Download highlight collections with optional filtering by title (requires login) * **Download Instagram profile pictures** - Download high-resolution profile pictures for any username **Customization options:** * Custom download directory paths * Save metadata as JSON files * Save captions as text files * Control video inclusion in post downloads **Authentication:** * Supports both authenticated and unauthenticated access (configurable via environment variables) * Stories and highlights require login credentials; posts, videos, and profile pictures work without authentication

Which integrations are available for this server?

Enables downloading [Instagram](/mcp/servers/integrations/instagram) content including posts (images, videos, carousels), Reels, IGTV, Stories, Highlights, and profile pictures, with optional metadata and caption extraction.

This MCP server enables AI assistants to download various types of Instagram content to the local filesystem:

Download Instagram posts - Download images, videos, and carousel posts from Instagram URLs
Download Instagram videos - Download videos from posts, Reels, and IGTV
Download Instagram stories - Download stories from a target user (requires login)
Download Instagram highlights - Download highlight collections with optional filtering by title (requires login)
Download Instagram profile pictures - Download high-resolution profile pictures for any username

Customization options:

Custom download directory paths
Save metadata as JSON files
Save captions as text files
Control video inclusion in post downloads

Authentication:

Supports both authenticated and unauthenticated access (configurable via environment variables)
Stories and highlights require login credentials; posts, videos, and profile pictures work without authentication

ig-download-mcp

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An Instagram MCP (Model Context Protocol) server powered by Instaloader, enabling AI assistants (Claude / Claude Code / Codex) to download Instagram content.

Features

Download posts (images / videos / carousel)
Download videos (Reels / IGTV / video posts)
Download Stories (login required)
Download Highlights (login required)
Download profile pictures
Optionally save metadata (JSON) and captions (text files)
.env and environment variable support for credentials

Requirements

Python >= 3.13
uv

Quick Start

1) Clone

git clone https://github.com/<YOUR_ORG_OR_USER>/ig-download-mcp.git cd ig-download-mcp

2) Install dependencies

uv venv uv sync

3) Configure credentials (recommended)

cp .env.example .env # Edit .env and fill in your Instagram credentials

4) Run the MCP server

uv run ig-download-mcp

MCP Configuration

Replace /path/to/ig-download-mcp with your actual installation path.

Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS) or the equivalent file for your platform:

{ "mcpServers": { "ig-download-mcp": { "command": "uv", "args": ["--directory", "/path/to/ig-download-mcp", "run", "ig-download-mcp"] } } }

Claude Code

Edit ~/.claude.json:

{ "mcpServers": { "ig-download-mcp": { "command": "uv", "args": ["--directory", "/path/to/ig-download-mcp", "run", "ig-download-mcp"] } } }

Codex (OpenAI)

Edit ~/.codex/config.toml:

[mcp_servers.ig_download_mcp] command = "uv" args = ["--directory", "/path/to/ig-download-mcp", "run", "ig-download-mcp"]

Available Tools

Tool	Description	Login Required
`download_instagram_post`	Download posts (images/videos/carousel)	Optional
`download_instagram_video`	Download videos only	Optional
`download_instagram_stories`	Download stories	Required
`download_instagram_highlights`	Download highlights	Required
`download_instagram_profile_pic`	Download profile picture	Optional

Credentials

Recommended: create .env in the project root:

cp .env.example .env # Edit .env and fill in your Instagram credentials

Or set environment variables:

export IG_USERNAME="your_username" export IG_PASSWORD="your_password"

Notes / Disclaimer

This project is not affiliated with Instagram or Meta.
You are responsible for complying with Instagram's Terms of Service and all applicable laws.
Stories / Highlights require login.
If 2FA / challenge flows are triggered, Instaloader may fail.
Instaloader includes rate limiting; avoid high-frequency downloads.

License

MIT

Instagram Download MCP Server