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[ GUIDE / MCP_SERVER ]

Connect VectraSEO to Claude, Cursor and other AI agents (MCP)

VectraSEO runs a Model Context Protocol server at https://api.vectraseo.com/mcp. Create an account API key under Account → API keys and choose its permissions, then add the server to your assistant. Claude Code connects with one claude mcp add command; clients that launch a local process, such as Claude Desktop or Cursor, use the npx -y @vectraseo/mcp bridge. The assistant can then read your projects and act only within the key’s scopes.

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Connect Claude Code

The API keys page shows this command with your new key filled in. Any client that speaks Streamable HTTP can use the same URL with an x-api-key header, or Authorization: Bearer.

terminal
claude mcp add --transport http vectraseo \
  https://api.vectraseo.com/mcp \
  --header "x-api-key: vsak_..."

Connect a client that launches a local process

Clients configured with an mcpServers JSON block, such as Claude Desktop and Cursor, can run the @vectraseo/mcp bridge. It needs Node 18 or later, has no dependencies, and forwards every request to the same endpoint. It accepts only account keys (vsak_).

mcpServers config
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "vectraseo": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@vectraseo/mcp"],
      "env": { "VECTRASEO_API_KEY": "vsak_..." }
    }
  }
}

What the assistant can do

Each tool runs the same request the REST API would, with the same permission, plan and ownership checks. What a key can reach depends on the permissions you gave it:

  • projects:read — Always granted. List projects, posts, content gaps, monitors, AI Visibility monitors, recommendations, indexing status and job status.
  • projects:write — Onboard a project, edit settings, add competitors, create monitors, set the publishing schedule and reject topics.
  • jobs:write — Start site scans and content runs. These consume plan quota.
  • content:publish — Publish posts and apply recommendations. These write to your live site.

How to connect an AI assistant to VectraSEO

  1. Open Account → API keys

    Select Account in the sidebar, then manage on the API keys card.

  2. Name the key and choose permissions

    Under Create a key, enter a Name such as “Claude Code”. Under Permissions, projects:read is always granted. Add projects:write to let the assistant configure projects, jobs:write to start scans and content runs, and content:publish only if it may publish to your live site.

  3. Create and copy the key

    Select create key, then copy the key from the Copy your key now panel. It is shown once: only a SHA-256 hash is stored, so a lost key cannot be recovered.

  4. Add the server to your assistant

    Open Connect an AI assistant to this key (MCP) and run the Claude Code command shown, or add the mcpServers block above to a client that launches a local process.

  5. Ask for something small first

    Ask the assistant which account it is connected to or to list your projects. The server tells assistants to start with the whoami tool and to confirm with you before any tool that spends quota or publishes.

Frequently asked questions

Which AI apps can connect to the VectraSEO MCP server?

Any MCP client that speaks Streamable HTTP and can send a header, or that can launch a local process. Claude Code connects with the claude mcp add command shown in the app. Clients that use an mcpServers JSON config, such as Claude Desktop and Cursor, can run the npx -y @vectraseo/mcp bridge.

Can I use my project API key?

No. Project keys (vsk_) are read-only and cover one project. The MCP server needs an account API key (vsak_), which spans every project you own and carries the permissions you chose when you created it.

Can an assistant publish or spend credits without asking?

Only a key with jobs:write can start scans or content runs, and only a key with content:publish can publish. The server also tells assistants to confirm with you before using any tool that spends quota or publishes. Grant those permissions only to integrations you trust.

Can a key delete a project or create more keys?

No. Deleting a project, creating or revoking keys, billing and credential reveal stay signed-in actions in the dashboard. A key cannot issue itself a wider replacement.

Which plans can use the MCP server?

Any account can create account API keys, up to 10 active at a time. Each tool still follows your plan: an action your plan does not include returns a subscription_limit error.

How do I disconnect an assistant?

Revoke its key under Account → API keys. Any script or assistant using that key stops working immediately.

Reference

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