Getting Started with Ocean.io MCP
Ocean.io MCP lets you search, filter, and export Ocean data directly inside AI tools like Claude and Cursor — without leaving the chat interface.
What is Ocean.io MCP?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a standard that lets AI assistants connect to external data sources in real time.
With Ocean.io MCP enabled, you can ask your AI assistant to find companies, search for people, or export a prospect list, and it will use your Ocean.io data to respond.
Example: You can type "Find Chicago-based SaaS companies similar to pandadoc.com and export them to CSV" directly in Claude or Cursor, and the assistant will run the search and generate a download link for you.
Is MCP included in my plan?
Ocean.io MCP is available on plans under our new unified credit offering (V3).
If you're not sure whether your plan includes MCP access, contact our support team through chat and we'll help you check eligibility or upgrade.
Before you begin
You'll need an Ocean.io API key to connect to the MCP server. You can find your API key in your API settings.
Note on credits: All searches and exports through MCP use the same credits pool as regular Ocean.io usage.
How to connect
Claude Desktop
1. Find the Claude Desktop configuration file: claude_desktop_config.json
2. Add the following and replace <api_key> with your Ocean.io API key:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ocean_data_api": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://api.ocean.io/mcp/?api-token=<api_key>"
]
}
}
}3. Save the file and restart Claude Desktop
4. Refresh the available tools. Ocean.io's MCP will appear in your tool list
Cursor
1. Go to Cursor → Settings → Cursor Settings → MCP
2. Click Add new global MCP server
3. Paste the following and replace <api_key> with your Ocean.io API key:
{
"mcpServers": {
"ocean_data_api": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://api.ocean.io/mcp/?api-token=<api_key>"
]
}
}
}4. Save and restart Cursor if prompted
5. Ocean.io MCP tools will now be available inside Cursor
💡 Tip: Ocean.io MCP works with any AI assistant that supports MCP — not just Claude and Cursor.
What can you do with it?
Task | What to ask your AI assistant |
Search for companies | "Find B2B SaaS companies in London with 50–200 employees" |
Lookalike search | "Find companies similar to salesforce.com" |
Search for people | "Find VP of Sales at fintech companies in NYC" |
Export to CSV | "Export those results to a CSV file" |
Available actions
Search companies — filter by industry, location, size, growth, technology, and more; supports lookalike search
Search people — filter by job title, seniority, department, skills, location, and company attributes; supports lookalike search
Export companies — export up to 10,000 companies to CSV; returns a download link
Export people — export up to 10,000 people to CSV using LinkedIn handles; returns a download link
How credits work with MCP
Exports cost 0.2 credits per returned or successfully exported record
Your AI assistant will calculate and confirm the estimated credit cost before running any export
Usage example
Below is an example of how Ocean.io MCP can be used in an AI assistant.
Example request
Find Chicago-headquartered companies similar to pandadoc.com and export them to CSV.
Example answer
Here are 5 companies similar to pandadoc.com HQed in Chicago.
OneSpan – Enterprise-grade e-signature and digital agreement security platform focused on regulated and high-risk transactions.
Mediafly – Sales enablement platform that helps revenue teams deliver interactive content and close deals faster.
Conga – Contract lifecycle management and document automation software powering complex revenue workflows.
Showpad – Sales enablement solution that equips sales teams with content, training, and buyer engagement tools.
ActiveCampaign – Sales and marketing automation platform for customer engagement, pipelines, and lifecycle messaging.
Export ready. This export will consume 1.0 credit (5 companies × 0.2 credits). Please confirm if you would like me to proceed with generating the CSV file.
Once confirmed, the assistant calls the export_companies tool and returns a download URL for the generated CSV file.
FAQ
Can I use MCP with my plan?
Probably — MCP is available to all newest plans. Contact support through our live chat if you're in doubt.
Does MCP use the same credits as the Ocean.io platform?
Yes. MCP uses your unified API/Platform credit pool, the same credits you use in the platform and via the API.
What happens if I run out of credits during an export?
The export will stop once credits are exhausted. Only successfully exported records are charged.
My AI assistant isn't showing Ocean.io tools after setup.
Try restarting or refreshing your AI assistant. If the issue persists, verify that your API key is correct and that your plan includes MCP access.
Need help?
If you have questions about MCP access, credit usage, or setup, contact our support team through the live chat. We're happy to help.