> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.lobstr.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Connect lobstr.io to Claude and run scrapers from a conversation

> Add the lobstr.io MCP server to Claude so you can find a scraper, launch a run, follow its progress, and read the results without leaving the chat.

Claude can operate your lobstr.io account directly through the lobstr.io **MCP server**. Instead of switching to the dashboard to pick a scraper, add tasks, launch, wait, and download a CSV, you describe what you want in plain language and Claude does it in your account.

**Endpoint:** `https://mcp.lobstr.io/mcp`

<Note>
  This is the **operational** server — it acts in your account and spends credits. There is also a separate, public documentation server at `https://docs.lobstr.io/mcp` that only answers questions about the lobstr.io API and can't touch your account.
</Note>

## Before you start

* A [lobstr.io account](https://app.lobstr.io) with credits — launching a run spends credits from your balance.
* Claude on the web, Claude Desktop, or Claude Code.

You don't need your API key for this. The connection uses OAuth: you approve it on lobstr.io's own site, so **no password ever reaches Claude**.

## Watch the setup walkthrough

<iframe width="100%" height="420" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/e92bb83026a541558f90edf032b5fd20" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen />

## Connect Claude to lobstr.io

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Claude.ai and Claude Desktop">
    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open your connector settings">
        In Claude, go to **Settings** → **Connectors**, then click **Add custom connector**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Paste the lobstr.io endpoint">
        Give the connector a name (for example, `lobstr.io`) and paste the full URL:

        ```
        https://mcp.lobstr.io/mcp
        ```

        <Warning>
          Include the trailing `/mcp`. A URL without it won't connect.
        </Warning>
      </Step>

      <Step title="Approve the connection">
        Claude opens the lobstr.io consent page. You're already signed in, so you just review the permissions and click **Allow**. Claude returns to the conversation with the connector enabled.
      </Step>
    </Steps>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Claude Code">
    Run this once in your terminal:

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude mcp add --transport http lobstr https://mcp.lobstr.io/mcp
    ```

    The first time you use it, Claude Code opens the lobstr.io consent page in your browser. On a headless machine, the authorize URL is printed for you to open manually.
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## What you're approving

The consent page lists the permissions Claude is asking for. You can revoke access at any time from your lobstr.io account.

| Permission      | What it grants                              |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------- |
| `crawlers:read` | Discover scrapers and read their settings   |
| `runs:read`     | Check the status of your runs               |
| `results:read`  | Read your scraped results                   |
| `account:read`  | View your account and credit balance        |
| `runs:execute`  | Launch runs on your behalf (spends credits) |

## What Claude can do

| Capability                                             | Spends credits |
| ------------------------------------------------------ | -------------- |
| Search the 40+ scrapers in the store for the right one | No             |
| Read a scraper's inputs, output fields, and pricing    | No             |
| List and inspect your saved Squids                     | No             |
| Launch a run                                           | **Yes**        |
| Check a run's status and progress                      | No             |
| Read a page of results from a run                      | No             |

New scrapers work automatically — Claude reads each scraper's live input schema, so nothing needs updating when lobstr.io adds one to the store.

## A typical conversation

Here's a full run from start to finish — finding a scraper, launching it, and reading the results back in the chat.

<iframe width="100%" height="420" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/5424df66853b4f1c91a24eb8d4078aac" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen />

<Steps>
  <Step title="Find a scraper">
    *"Find me a scraper for Google Maps business leads."*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Check what it needs">
    *"What inputs does it take, and what does it cost?"*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Launch the run">
    *"Run it for dentists in Manchester."* — Claude asks you to confirm the cost before it launches.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow the run">
    *"Is it finished?"*
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get the data">
    *"Show me the results."*
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Credits and confirmation

lobstr.io prices **per result row**, so the final cost of a run isn't known until it finishes. Before launching, Claude estimates the cost — and when the estimate is high or can't be calculated, it asks you to confirm instead of launching straight away. Reading scrapers, runs, and results never spends credits.

<Warning>
  Runs launched from Claude are real runs in your account. They appear in your dashboard, count against your slots, and draw down the same credit balance as runs you launch yourself.
</Warning>

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="The connection fails or Claude can't authorize">
    Check the URL is exactly `https://mcp.lobstr.io/mcp`, over HTTPS and with the `/mcp` path included.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Every run asks me to confirm">
    That's expected. lobstr.io charges per row, so the total is unknowable up front — the estimate shows you the per-row rate so you can decide.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="A run stays pending or errors out">
    Open the run in your [lobstr.io dashboard](https://app.lobstr.io). Claude sees the same status your account does, so the dashboard will show the same [stop reason](/core-concepts/run-stop-reasons).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Claude says it has no credits or no access">
    Confirm you clicked **Allow** on the consent page and that your balance isn't empty. You can re-approve the connector from your Claude settings.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>