Read below to learn how to use Instant with LLMs to build full-stack apps

Instant Context Rules

To make it easier to use Instant with LLMs we've put together a rules.txt that you can paste or download to use as context.

You can also attach .md to the end of any doc page url to get the raw markdown you can copy and paste into your LLM. For example, here's the Getting Started page

Instant MCP Server

We've also built @instantdb/mcp to enable creating, managing, and updating your Instant apps. Combine the MCP with our rules file to build full-stack apps directly in your editor.

Remote MCP server

We host the latest version of the MCP server at https://mcp.instantdb.com.

For modern clients that support streamable HTTP use:

https://mcp.instantdb.com/mcp

For legacy clients that require SSE use:

https://mcp.instantdb.com/sse

Auth

When you add the MCP server, you'll be sent through an OAuth flow to grant access to your Instant Account.

Cursor

Or edit your ~/.cursor/mcp.json directly:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "url": "https://mcp.instantdb.com/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Claude Code

If you're on a paid plan, you can add the the server via the command line

claude mcp add instant -s user -t http https://mcp.instantdb.com/mcp

Now you run claude to start Claude Code and then run /mcp to see your list of MCP servers. instant should be listed there. Select it and go through the auth flow to enable the Instant MCP server in your claude code sessions!

Claude

If you're on a paid plan, go to Settings > Integrations. Add a custom integration and use the url:

https://mcp.instantdb.com/mcp

Windsurf

Use the SSE endpoint for Windsurf with mcp-remote.

Edit your ~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json:

MacOS/Linux

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.instantdb.com/sse"]
    }
  }
}

Windows

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.instantdb.com/sse"]
    }
  }
}

Windows WSL

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "wsl",
      "args": ["npx", "-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.instantdb.com/sse"]
    }
  }
}

Zed

Use the SSE endpoint for Zed with mcp-remote.

Open your Zed settings and add the following

{
  "context_servers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.instantdb.com/sse"],
        "env": {}
      },
      "settings": {}
    }
  }
}

Local MCP server

You can run @instantdb/mcp locally.

Get your Personal Access Token

If you haven't already, make sure to get a personal access token from your Instant dashboard

Once you have your token, you can set up the Instant MCP server in your favorite editor with MCP support.

Cursor/Windsurf/Cline

You can set up the Instant MCP server in Cursor, Windsurf, or Cline by adding the following configuration to your MCP settings:

MacOS/Linux

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@instantdb/mcp", "--token", "<token>"]
    }
  }
}

Windows

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "cmd",
      "args": ["/c", "npx", "-y", "@instantdb/mcp", "--token", "<token>"]
    }
  }
}

Windows WSL

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "wsl",
      "args": ["npx", "-y", "@instantdb/mcp", "--token", "<token>"]
    }
  }
}

Replacing <token> with your personal access token. Save the file and reload the editor! You should now see the Instant MCP server active and enabled!

Zed

Open your Zed settings and add the following

{
  "context_servers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": ["-y", "@instantdb/mcp", "--token", "<token>"],
        "env": {}
      },
      "settings": {}
    }
  }
}

Replacing <token> with your personal access token. Save the file and reload the editor. You should now see the Instant MCP server active and enabled!

Claude Desktop

You can set up the Instant MCP server in Claude Desktop by following these steps:

1. Open the file ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
2. Add the following configuration to the claude_desktop_config.json file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "instant": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@instantdb/mcp", "--token", "<token>"]
    }
  }
}

Replacing <token> with your personal access token. Save the file and restart Claude Desktop. You should now see the Instant MCP server active and enabled!

MCP Tools

Below is a list of the current tools we expose

App Management

• create-app Creates a new InstantDB application with optional schema and permissions.
• get-apps Lists all apps owned by the authenticated user.
• get-app Fetches a single app by ID.

Schema Management

• get-schema Retrieves the schema for a specific app.
• plan-schema-push Dry-run a schema update to preview changes.
• push-schema Applies schema changes to an app. Run plan-schema-push first to preview.

Permissions Management

• get-perms Retrieves permission rules for an app.
• push-perms Updates permission rules for an app.

Example Conversation

User: Could we add a new projects table with a link to todos for my app id
<app_id>

LLM: I'll help you add a new projects table with a link to todos for your app.
Let me first get the current schema to understand the existing structure.

Tool-call: get-schema

LLM: Now I'll create a plan to add the projects entity and create a link
between projects and todos. Let me first create a dry-run to show you what
changes will be made:

Tool-call: plan-schema-push

LLM: Perfect! The plan looks good. It will:

// .. info about the planned changes

Now let's execute this schema update:

Tool-call: push-schema

Excellent! The schema update has been successfully completed.

// .. info about the pushed changes