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Instagram DM MCP Server

by trypeggy

Instagram DM MCP server

This is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for sending instagram Direct Messages.

With this you can send Instagram Direct Messages from your account (more capabilities coming soon).

Here's an example of what you can do when it's connected to Claude.

https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/9c945f25-4484-4223-8d6b-5bf31243464c

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Hackathon Submission

Build anything using this Instagram DM MCP (can be technical, no-code or low-code) and submit!

No restrictions, open to anyone/anywhere to join.

Note: submisions due by Friday 27 June 11:59PM PST

Three cash prizes up for grabs

  1. $5k USD - Breaking the internet (go viral AF)
  2. $2.5k USD - Technical Sorcery (coolest technical implementation)
  3. $2.5k USD - Holy Sh*t Award (make our jaws drop)

Installation

Prerequisites

  • Python 3.11+
  • Anthropic Claude Desktop app (or Cursor)
  • Pip (Python package manager), install with python -m pip install
  • An instagram account

Steps

  1. Clone this repository
    git clone https://github.com/trypeggy/instagram_dm_mcp.git cd instagram_dm_mcp
  2. Install dependencies
  • Using uv (recommended):
    uv sync
  • Using Pip:
    pip install -r requirements.txt
  1. Configure Instagram credentialsYou have two options for providing your Instagram credentials:Option A: Environment Variables (Recommended)Quick Setup (Recommended):Run the helper script:
    python setup_env.py
    This will interactively prompt you for your credentials and create the .env file securely.Manual Setup:Create a .env file in the project root:
    cp env.example .env
    Then edit .env with your actual credentials:
    INSTAGRAM_USERNAME=your_instagram_username INSTAGRAM_PASSWORD=your_instagram_password
    Option B: Command Line ArgumentsYou can still pass credentials as command line arguments (less secure).
  2. Connect to the MCP serverFor Claude Desktop:Save this as claude_desktop_config.json in your Claude Desktop configuration directory at:
    ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
    For Cursor:Save this as mcp.json in your Cursor configuration directory at:
    ~/.cursor/mcp.json
    Configuration with Environment Variables (Recommended):
    • Using uv
    { "mcpServers": { "instagram_dms": { "command": "uv", "args": [ "run", "--directory", "PATH/TO/instagram_dm_mcp", "python", "src/mcp_server.py" ] } } }
    • Using Python
    { "mcpServers": { "instagram_dms": { "command": "python", "args": [ "{{PATH_TO_SRC}}/instagram_dm_mcp/src/ mcp_server.py" ] } } }

    Configuration with Command Line Arguments:

    { "mcpServers": { "instagram_dms": { "command": "python", "args": [ "{{PATH_TO_SRC}}/instagram_dm_mcp/src/mcp_server.py", "--username", "{{YOUR_INSTAGRAM_USERNAME}}", "--password", "{{YOUR_INSTAGRAM_PASSWORD}}" ] } } }
  3. Restart Claude Desktop / CursorOpen Claude Desktop and you should now see the Instagram DM MCP as an available integration.Or restart Cursor.

Usage

Below is a list of all available tools and what they do:

Tool NameDescription
send_messageSend an Instagram direct message to a user by username.
send_photo_messageSend a photo as an Instagram direct message to a user by username.
send_video_messageSend a video as an Instagram direct message to a user by username.
list_chatsGet Instagram Direct Message threads (chats) from your account, with optional filters/limits.
list_messagesGet messages from a specific Instagram Direct Message thread by thread ID. Now exposes item_type and shared post/reel info for each message. Use this to determine which download tool to use.
download_media_from_messageDownload a direct-uploaded photo or video from a DM message (not for shared posts/reels/clips).
download_shared_post_from_messageDownload media from a shared post, reel, or clip in a DM message (not for direct uploads).
list_media_messagesList all messages containing direct-uploaded media (photo/video) in a DM thread.
mark_message_seenMark a specific message in an Instagram Direct Message thread as seen.
list_pending_chatsGet Instagram Direct Message threads from your pending inbox.
search_threadsSearch Instagram Direct Message threads by username or keyword.
get_thread_by_participantsGet an Instagram Direct Message thread by participant user IDs.
get_thread_detailsGet details and messages for a specific Instagram Direct Message thread by thread ID.
get_user_id_from_usernameGet the Instagram user ID for a given username.
get_username_from_user_idGet the Instagram username for a given user ID.
get_user_infoGet information about a specific Instagram user by username.
search_usersSearch for Instagram users by username
get_user_storiesGet recent stories from a specific Instagram user by username.
like_mediaLike or unlike a specific media post by media ID.
get_user_followersGet a list of followers for a specific Instagram user by username.
get_user_followingGet a list of users that a specific Instagram user is following by username.
get_user_postsGet recent posts from a specific Instagram user by username.

Troubleshooting

For additional Claude Desktop integration troubleshooting, see the MCP documentation. The documentation includes helpful tips for checking logs and resolving common issues.


Feedback

Your feedback will be massively appreciated. Please tell us which features on that list you like to see next or request entirely new ones.


License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

License Python

-
security - not tested
A
license - permissive license
-
quality - not tested

local-only server

The server can only run on the client's local machine because it depends on local resources.

A Model Context Protocol server that enables Claude or Cursor to send direct messages on Instagram, allowing AI assistants to interact with Instagram's messaging system.

  1. Hackathon Submission
    1. Three cash prizes up for grabs
  2. Installation
    1. Prerequisites
    2. Steps
  3. Usage
    1. Troubleshooting
      1. Feedback
        1. License

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