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, Zed, Warp, Gemini
CLI, Roo Code, or any client that supports remote MCP)
Authentication The MCP server authenticates using the x-api-key request header. Each tool
call uses this key automatically. No additional authentication is needed from
the client.
To rotate your key, update your client configuration with the new key and
restart the client.
The exception is Claude.ai, which passes the key as a query parameter because
its connector UI does not support custom request headers.
Your configuration file contains your API key in plain text. Treat it as a
secret and do not share it or commit it to version control.
Connect to Claude Claude.ai
Claude Desktop
Claude Code
Configure connection
Fill in the Add custom connector dialog:
Name : CatchAllRemote MCP server URL : https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/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 supports remote MCP servers through the Connectors UI (Settings > Customize > Connectors ) — the same flow as Claude.ai. Alternatively, you can configure it via a JSON config file. This approach does not support native remote MCP, so it requires mcp-remote as a proxy.
Install Node.js
Run node --version to check if Node.js is installed. If the command fails, download and install it from nodejs.org before continuing.
Fix npm permissions (once)
Run this once to avoid permission errors when using npx: sudo chown -R $( whoami ) ~/.npm
Install mcp-remote
npm install -g mcp-remote
Open configuration file
~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
Or open it from Claude Desktop: Settings > Developer > Edit Config .
Add CatchAll entry
Paste the following into the file: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "command" : "npx" , "args" : [ "mcp-remote" , "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "--header" , "x-api-key:YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" ] } } }
Restart Claude Desktop
Save the file and quit Claude Desktop completely, then relaunch it. Claude Desktop loads MCP tools on startup.
Verify connection
Go to Settings > Developer . Next to catchall , the status should show running .
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-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" \ --header "x-api-key:YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY"
For Claude-specific features like the SKILL file and Python agents, see Claude integration . Connect to other clients Cursor
VS Code
Windsurf
Zed
Warp
Gemini CLI
Roo Code
Other clients
Or add to ~/.cursor/mcp.json manually: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "type" : "http" , "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } }
Restart Cursor after saving. Or add to .vscode/mcp.json in your project root manually: { "servers" : { "catchall" : { "type" : "http" , "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } }
Restart VS Code after saving. Add to ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "serverUrl" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } } }
Restart Windsurf after saving. Add to your Zed settings (~/.config/zed/settings.json): { "context_servers" : { "catchall" : { "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } } }
Restart Zed after saving. Go to Settings > MCP Servers > Add MCP Server and add: { "catchall" : { "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } }
Add to ~/.gemini/settings.json: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "httpUrl" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } } }
Restart Gemini CLI after saving. Add to your Roo Code MCP config: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "type" : "streamable-http" , "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } } }
Restart Roo Code after saving. For clients that support native HTTP MCP with headers: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "url" : "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "headers" : { "x-api-key" : "YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" } } } }
If your client does not support remote MCP servers natively, use mcp-remote as a proxy: { "mcpServers" : { "catchall" : { "command" : "npx" , "args" : [ "mcp-remote" , "https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp" , "--header" , "x-api-key:YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY" ] } } }
Restart your client after saving the configuration. Replace YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY with your key. Do not share it or commit it
to version control.
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
Tool Description check_healthCheck API health status get_versionGet the current API version get_user_limitsRetrieve plan features and current usage against plan limits
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 Node.js, then use the
npx configuration shown in the Other clients tab.
See also
Claude integration Full Claude setup with MCP and SKILL
API reference Full endpoint documentation and schemas
Write effective queries Get better results from CatchAll jobs
Monitors Automate recurring queries with scheduled execution
Or add to 