MCP Server
Use ParseBounce with any MCP-compatible AI client to query your email delivery data using natural language. The MCP (Model Context Protocol) server enables AI assistants to interact with your ParseBounce data.
Supported Clients
MCP is an open standard supported by 300+ AI clients. Popular options include:
Claude Desktop and ChatGPT Desktop support zero-install remote MCP. Other clients require local installation.
What is MCP?
Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an open standard that enables AI assistants to connect to external tools and data sources. With our MCP server, Claude can:
- Check why emails are bouncing or being blocked
- View deliverability statistics and campaign metrics
- Manage suppression lists through conversation
- Debug delivery issues with natural language queries
Claude Desktop Setup
Zero Installation
No npm, no config files. Just add the URL and sign in.
Open Claude Desktop Settings
Go to Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector
Enter the MCP URL
https://api.parsebounce.com/mcpSign in with ParseBounce
You'll be redirected to sign in. Click "Allow" to grant access.
Start chatting!
Ask Claude about your email delivery, bounces, and suppressions.
Local Installation
For developers who prefer running the MCP server locally with an API key.
Get your API key
Go to Profile and create an API key. Requires Startup plan or higher.
Add to Claude config
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
"mcpServers": {
"parsebounce": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@parsebounce/mcp-server"],
"env": {
"PARSEBOUNCE_API_KEY": "pb_live_..."
}
}
}
}Restart Claude Desktop
ParseBounce tools will appear in the tools menu.
ChatGPT Desktop Setup
Zero Installation
ChatGPT supports remote MCP with OAuth. Create an App on OpenAI Platform.
Open ChatGPT Settings
Go to chatgpt.com → Settings → Apps
Enable Developer Mode
Toggle on Developer Mode to create custom apps
Create New App
Click "Create app" and fill in:
- Name: ParseBounce
- Description: Email deliverability monitoring
- MCP Server URL:
https://api.parsebounce.com/mcpAuthentication: Select OAuth (leave Client ID and Client Secret empty)
Connect and Authorize
Click "Connect" button, then sign in to ParseBounce and grant access.
Select App in Chat
Before asking questions, select ParseBounce app in the chat input area.
Start chatting!
Ask ChatGPT about your email delivery, bounces, and suppressions.
Note: MCP in ChatGPT requires a paid subscription (Plus, Pro, or Team) with Developer Mode enabled in settings.
Other AI Clients
For Cursor, VS Code, and other MCP clients, use local installation with an API key:
{
"mcpServers": {
"parsebounce": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "@parsebounce/mcp-server"],
"env": {
"PARSEBOUNCE_API_KEY": "pb_live_your_api_key_here"
}
}
}
}Cursor: ~/.cursor/mcp.json
Continue.dev: ~/.continue/config.json
Available Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
| Project Management | |
| list_projects | List all projects you have access to. Use this first to find project IDs by name. |
| Email Status & Suppression | |
| check_email | Check email delivery status - suppression status + complete message history with events. |
| check_emails_batch | Check multiple emails at once (up to 100). |
| list_suppressions | List all suppressed (blocked) email addresses with pagination. |
| add_suppression | Block an email address from receiving emails. |
| remove_suppression | Unblock an email address. |
| Analytics & Monitoring | |
| get_deliverability_stats | Get delivery/bounce/complaint rates for a project over a time period. |
| list_recent_bounces | List recent bounced emails with bounce reasons and types. |
| compare_periods | Compare metrics between two time periods. Detect trends in bounce/complaint rates. |
| Search & Investigation | |
| search_by_domain | Search messages by recipient domain (e.g., gmail.com). Find deliverability issues with specific providers. |
| search_by_tracking_id | Search messages by campaign/batch tracking ID with delivery stats. |
| get_message_events | Get detailed event timeline for a specific message (delivery, bounce, complaint events). |
Example Conversations
Debug a delivery issue
Why isn't my email being delivered to john@example.com?
AI will use list_projects to find your project, then check_email to get the full history. It will explain the bounce reason, when it happened, and suggest next steps.
Check campaign performance
How did my "welcome-email" campaign perform?
AI will use search_by_tracking_id with tracking_id="welcome-email" and present delivery rates, bounces, and complaints with a summary of all messages in the campaign.
Investigate provider issues
Are we having problems delivering to Gmail?
AI will use search_by_domain with domain="gmail.com" to find recent messages and analyze delivery patterns, bounce reasons, and complaint rates.
Compare trends
Has our bounce rate changed this week compared to last week?
AI will use compare_periods to compare the last 7 days with the previous 7 days and highlight any changes in delivery, bounce, or complaint rates.
Message timeline
Show me all events for message abc123
AI will use get_message_events to retrieve the full event timeline: when it was sent, delivered, bounced, or complained — with all details.
Manage suppressions
Remove jane@example.com from suppression list - they confirmed their email works now
AI will use check_email to find the suppression, then remove_suppression to unblock the address.
Security
Remote MCP (Zero-install)
Uses OAuth 2.1 with PKCE for secure authentication. Your credentials are never shared with Claude — only a secure access token that you explicitly authorize. You can revoke access anytime from your Profile settings.
Local Installation
The MCP server runs locally on your machine. Your API key is stored in your local config file and never passes through Anthropic's servers. API requests go directly from your machine to ParseBounce.
Troubleshooting
"Error connecting to MCP server" (Remote)
Try removing and re-adding the connector. Make sure you're signed in to ParseBounce and clicked "Allow" on the consent screen. MCP access requires a Startup plan or higher.
"Tools not showing in Claude" (Local)
Make sure you saved the config file and restarted Claude Desktop completely. Check that your API key is valid and starts with pb_live_.
"Unauthorized error"
Your API key or OAuth token may be invalid or expired. For remote MCP, try reconnecting. For local installation, generate a new key from your Profile page.
"Project not found"
Make sure you have access to the project. Ask Claude to run list_projects first to see all projects you can access.