mcp-instagram

An MCP (Model Context Protocol) server that fetches public Instagram profiles, posts, and images. No API key needed — uses Instagram's mobile API with TLS fingerprint bypass via curl_cffi.

Tools

All tools accept a username (natgeo), an @handle (@natgeo), or a full URL (https://instagram.com/natgeo).

Related MCP server: Instagram Public MCP

Quick Start

Install

pip install mcp curl-cffi

Or with uv:

uv pip install mcp curl-cffi

Run standalone

python server.py

The server communicates over stdio using the MCP protocol.

Configure in Claude Code

Add to your claude_desktop_config.json or .claude.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instagram": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "python3",
      "args": ["/path/to/mcp-instagram/server.py"]
    }
  }
}

Then use in Claude Code:

> Get the profile of @natgeo
> Show me the latest posts from nike
> Get images from https://instagram.com/foodnetwork

Example Output

get_profile("natgeo")

{
  "username": "natgeo",
  "full_name": "National Geographic",
  "biography": "Experience the world through the eyes of National Geographic photographers.",
  "profile_pic_url_hd": "https://...",
  "followers": 283000000,
  "is_verified": true,
  "category": "Media/News Company"
}

get_post_images("natgeo", max_images=3)

{
  "username": "natgeo",
  "count": 3,
  "images": [
    "https://scontent-...",
    "https://scontent-...",
    "https://scontent-..."
  ]
}

How It Works

Uses Instagram's mobile API (i.instagram.com/api/v1/) with an Android user-agent and curl_cffi to match Chrome's TLS fingerprint. This avoids the browser-based rate limiting and fingerprint detection that blocks standard HTTP clients.

• No authentication required

• No API key needed

• Works with public profiles only

• Rate limited by Instagram (be respectful)

Dependencies

• mcp >= 1.0.0 — Model Context Protocol SDK

• curl_cffi >= 0.7.0 — HTTP client with TLS fingerprint impersonation

License

MIT