Connecting Claude Desktop to LinkDeal

Step-by-step guide to connecting Claude Desktop to LinkDeal using your API key and the MCP server.

Last updated: 8 August 2026

Claude Desktop is Anthropic's desktop app for Claude. It supports MCP, allowing you to connect LinkDeal for hands-free prospecting.

Prerequisites

  • Claude Desktop installed (download from anthropic.com)
  • A LinkDeal account with an active subscription
  • An API key from LinkDeal Settings

Step 1: Generate an API key

  1. Log in to LinkDeal
  2. Go to Settings in the navigation
  3. Scroll to API Keys
  4. Click Generate New Key
  5. Copy the key (starts with ld_)

Keep this key secure. You will not be able to see it again.

Step 2: Open Claude Desktop config

Find your Claude Desktop configuration file:

macOS:

~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json

Windows:

%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json

If the file does not exist, create it.

Step 3: Add the LinkDeal MCP server

Add this to your config file (JSON format):

{

"mcpServers": {

"linkdeal": {

"command": "npx",

"args": ["-y", "@linkdeal/mcp-server"],

"env": {

"LINKDEAL_API_KEY": "ld_your_api_key_here"

}

}

}

}

Replace ld_your_api_key_here with your actual API key.

Step 4: Restart Claude Desktop

Quit and reopen Claude Desktop for the changes to take effect.

Step 5: Test the connection

In Claude Desktop, try a prompt like:

"How many LinkDeal credits do I have?"

If connected successfully, Claude will use the get_credits tool and tell you your balance.

Troubleshooting

"Tool not found" errors: Make sure you restarted Claude Desktop after editing the config.

Authentication errors: Verify your API key is correct and not expired.

Config file issues: Ensure the JSON is valid (no trailing commas, proper brackets).

Example prompts

Once connected, try:

  • "Find people who reacted to HubSpot posts this week"
  • "Search for VPs of Sales at fintech companies in the UK"
  • "Enrich the lead with email john.smith@acme.com"
  • "Send the last 5 leads to Slack"

Frequently asked questions

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