The MCP server exposes CatchAll API tools to any MCP-compatible client. It
handles authentication, tool routing, and response formatting so the client can
submit jobs, poll status, retrieve results, and manage monitors.
Before you start
CatchAll API key from
platform.newscatcherapi.com
MCP-compatible client (Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, or any client that
supports remote MCP)
Authentication
The MCP server authenticates with the CatchAll API using the apiKey query
parameter in the server URL:
https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY
Each tool call uses this key automatically. No additional authentication is
needed from the client.
To rotate your key, update the server URL in your client configuration with the
new key and restart the client.
The URL contains your API key. Treat it as a secret and do not share it or
commit it to version control.
Connect to client
Claude.ai
Claude Desktop
Claude Code
Cursor
VS Code
Windsurf
Other clients
Configure connection
Fill in the Add custom connector dialog:
Name : CatchAll
Remote MCP server URL :
https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY
Add and verify
Click Add . Verify that CatchAll appears under Web in your connectors list.
Test connection
Open a new chat and type a CatchAll query, for example: “Find AI company acquisitions in the last 7 days, limit 5”. Claude should call the CatchAll tools and return structured results.
For Claude-specific features like the SKILL file and Python agents, see Claude integration . Claude Desktop does not natively support remote MCP servers. Use mcp-remote to proxy the connection.
Install mcp-remote
npm install -g mcp-remote
Open configuration file
Open your Claude Desktop configuration file:
macOS : ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
Windows : %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Add CatchAll entry
Add the following to your configuration file: {
"mcpServers" : {
"catchall" : {
"command" : "npx" ,
"args" : [
"-y" ,
"mcp-remote" ,
"https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
]
}
}
}
Restart Claude Desktop
Quit and relaunch Claude Desktop. Claude Desktop loads MCP tools on startup.
For Claude-specific features like the SKILL file and Python agents, see Claude integration . Run in your terminal: claude mcp add --transport http catchall \
"https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
For Claude-specific features like the SKILL file and Python agents, see Claude integration . Add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json: {
"mcpServers" : {
"catchall" : {
"url" : "https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
}
}
}
Restart Cursor after saving. Add to .vscode/mcp.json in your project root: {
"servers" : {
"catchall" : {
"type" : "http" ,
"url" : "https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
}
}
}
Restart VS Code after saving. Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json: {
"mcpServers" : {
"catchall" : {
"serverUrl" : "https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
}
}
}
Restart Windsurf after saving. Most MCP clients accept the server URL directly: {
"mcpServers" : {
"catchall" : {
"url" : "https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
}
}
}
If your client does not support remote MCP servers, use mcp-remote as a proxy: npm install -g mcp-remote
{
"mcpServers" : {
"catchall" : {
"command" : "npx" ,
"args" : [
"-y" ,
"mcp-remote" ,
"https://catchall-mc.fastmcp.app/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
]
}
}
}
Restart your client after saving the configuration.
Each tool maps to a CatchAll API endpoint. For request and response schemas, see
the API reference .
Tool Description initialize_queryPreview suggested validators, enrichments, and date ranges before submitting a job submit_querySubmit a natural language query and create a job get_job_statusCheck job progress through the processing pipeline pull_resultsRetrieve validated, enriched records from a completed or in-progress job continue_jobExpand a job to process additional records beyond the initial limit list_user_jobsList all jobs submitted by the authenticated user
Tool Description create_monitorCreate a recurring monitor from a completed job update_monitorUpdate webhook configuration for an existing monitor list_monitorsList all monitors for the authenticated user list_monitor_jobsList all jobs produced by a specific monitor pull_monitor_resultsRetrieve latest aggregated results from a monitor enable_monitorRe-enable a previously disabled monitor disable_monitorPause a monitor without deleting it
Troubleshooting
Restart your MCP client after updating the configuration. Most clients load
MCP tools on startup and do not detect changes until restarted.
Connection refused or timeout
Verify your API key is valid by calling an authenticated endpoint: curl -X POST "https://catchall.newscatcherapi.com/catchAll/initialize" \
-H "x-api-key: YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d '{"query": "test"}'
If this returns a 403 error, your key is invalid. Check it at
platform.newscatcherapi.com .
Client does not support remote MCP
Use mcp-remote to proxy the connection. Install it with npm install -g mcp-remote, then use the npx configuration shown in the Other clients
tab.
See also