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Apify MCP Server

Access 6,000+ pre-built cloud scrapers and automation tools. Extract data from any website at scale.

Capabilities
Web Scraping Automation Data Extraction Actors
Maintained by
Apify
Hosting
Hosted endpoint, or run it locally
Authentication
OAuth sign-in
Last checked

Hosted server also accepts Authorization: Bearer APIFY_TOKEN; legacy /sse endpoint removed.

How to connect the Apify MCP server

Pick your AI client and paste the snippet. Swap the YOUR_… placeholders for your own values. New to this? Our guide to how MCP clients and servers fit together explains what each piece does.

Hosted server

Claude Code

Terminal
claude mcp add --transport http apify https://mcp.apify.com

Then run /mcp inside Claude Code and choose Authenticate to sign in.

Full Claude Code setup guide →

Claude Desktop and claude.ai

Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector
Name: Apify
Remote MCP server URL: https://mcp.apify.com

Custom connectors need a Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan. On Team and Enterprise an owner adds them in admin settings.

Full Claude Desktop setup guide →

Cursor

~/.cursor/mcp.json (or .cursor/mcp.json in a project)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com"
    }
  }
}
Full Cursor setup guide →

VS Code

.vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "apify": {
      "type": "http",
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com"
    }
  }
}
Full VS Code setup guide →

ChatGPT

Business, Enterprise and Edu plans (and Pro, read-only) can add this endpoint as an app in developer mode. ChatGPT setup guide →

+ Run it locally instead

Claude Code

Terminal
claude mcp add --env APIFY_TOKEN=YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN --transport stdio apify \
  -- npx @apify/actors-mcp-server
Full Claude Code setup guide →

Claude Desktop

claude_desktop_config.json (Settings → Developer → Edit Config)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@apify/actors-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "APIFY_TOKEN": "YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}

Fully quit and reopen Claude Desktop after saving.

Full Claude Desktop setup guide →

Cursor

~/.cursor/mcp.json (or .cursor/mcp.json in a project)
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@apify/actors-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "APIFY_TOKEN": "YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}
Full Cursor setup guide →

VS Code

.vscode/mcp.json
{
  "servers": {
    "apify": {
      "type": "stdio",
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "@apify/actors-mcp-server"
      ],
      "env": {
        "APIFY_TOKEN": "YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN"
      }
    }
  }
}
Full VS Code setup guide →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Apify MCP server?

It is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server — a small piece of software that gives AI assistants like Claude a secure, governed connection to Apify. Access 6,000+ pre-built cloud scrapers and automation tools. Extract data from any website at scale.

Is there an official Apify MCP server?

Yes. The Apify MCP server is an official integration, maintained by the vendor or the Model Context Protocol project, which makes it the safest default for business use. It is maintained by Apify.

Is the Apify MCP server hosted, or do I run it myself?

Both. Apify runs a hosted endpoint at https://mcp.apify.com, so most people just paste that URL into their AI client. You can also run the server locally with npx, supplying your own credentials.

Do I need an API key for the Apify MCP server?

No API key is needed for the hosted server. You sign in through Apify's own OAuth screen, and the assistant only gets the access your account has.

What can an AI assistant actually do with Apify?

Through this server an assistant can work with web scraping, automation, data extraction, actors — reading from and acting on Apify directly instead of you copy-pasting between windows. What you allow it to do is controlled by the permissions you grant.

How do I set this up for my business?

The setup section above has copy-paste config for Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor and VS Code. If you want it rolled out across a team with permissions, governance and support handled, that is what Crox's Build engagement covers.

New to MCP? Start with our plain-English guide to the Model Context Protocol or see how to connect AI to your business tools without writing code .

More Web Scraping & Data Extraction servers
Done-for-you integration

Want this connected to your business — with governance handled?

Crox maps your processes, connects AI to the tools you already use, and keeps it working as models change. Start with a readiness assessment or talk to us about a build.