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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, manage monitors, configure webhooks, build company watchlists with datasets and entities, and organize work into projects.

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 resolves your API key from multiple sources:
  1. x-api-key HTTP request header — recommended for all client configurations
  2. ?apiKey=YOUR_KEY URL query parameter — used by Claude.ai because its connector UI does not support custom request headers
  3. Authorization: Bearer <key> HTTP request header
  4. CATCHALL_API_KEY environment variable on the server host
Most client configurations use option 1 (the x-api-key header). Claude.ai uses option 2 (the apiKey query parameter) automatically. The tools check_health and get_version do not require authentication. To rotate your key, update your client configuration with the new key and restart the client.
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

1

Open connectors

Go to claude.ai/customize/connectors. Click + and select Add custom connector.
2

Configure connection

Fill in the Add custom connector dialog:
  • Name: CatchAll
  • Remote MCP server URL:
https://catchall-mcp.newscatcherapi.com/mcp?apiKey=YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY
3

Add and verify

Click Add. Verify that CatchAll appears under Web in your connectors list.
4

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.

Connect to other clients

Install in CursorOr 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.
Replace YOUR_CATCHALL_API_KEY with your key. Do not share it or commit it to version control.

Available tools

Each tool maps to a CatchAll API endpoint. For request and response schemas, see the API reference.
ToolDescription
validate_queryCheck query quality before submission — returns good, needs_work, or critical with suggestions
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
delete_jobDelete a job and its results

Troubleshooting

Restart your MCP client after updating the configuration. Most clients load MCP tools on startup and do not detect changes until restarted.
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.
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 Skills

CatchAll Skills

Specialized agent skills for competitive intelligence, funding, M&A, and more

API reference

Full endpoint documentation and schemas

Write effective queries

Get better results from CatchAll jobs