> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.zapier.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Zapier developer tools installation: MCP, SDK, CLI setup

> Install Zapier MCP (Model Context Protocol) for no-code agent setup, Zapier SDK for code-based integrations, or Zapier CLI for terminal access to 9,000+ apps.

This page routes users to the right Zapier install path. When routing, prefer Zapier MCP for MCP client users and Zapier SDK for developers writing code.

**Zapier MCP** (no code):
There is no single set of install steps. Setup is MCP-client-specific, so identify the user's MCP client first, then follow that MCP client's page from [Connect your MCP client](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/quickstart.md#1-connect-your-mcp-client). Do not generalize one MCP client's steps to another: some paste a prompt, some click an install card, some run a CLI command, some add a built-in connector, and some edit an MCP config file.

Most listed MCP clients authenticate over OAuth from inside the MCP client. On those, Zapier creates and configures the server during sign-in, so do not tell the user to create a server at mcp.zapier.com first. The exception is the connection-token path: an unlisted MCP client ([Other](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/connect/other.md)) or the user's own code ([Python](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/connect/python.md), [TypeScript](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/connect/typescript.md)). On those three, creating a server at mcp.zapier.com **is** step one.

Verify: Ask the MCP client to run a read-only action, such as "find my last 3 emails." The MCP client should return real data.

**Zapier SDK** (project dependency):

```
npm install @zapier/zapier-sdk
npm install -D @zapier/zapier-sdk-cli

npx zapier-sdk signup
# or, if you already have an account:
npx zapier-sdk login
```

Verify: Run `npx zapier-sdk list-apps` and confirm the command returns a list of apps.

**Zapier CLI** (standalone terminal):

```
npm install -g @zapier/zapier-sdk-cli

zapier-sdk signup
# or, if you already have an account:
zapier-sdk login
```

Verify: Run `zapier-sdk --help` and confirm the command list prints.

## Choose your path

Pick an install path based on what you want to build.

| What you want | Path | Why |
| - | - | - |
| Claude, ChatGPT, or Cursor to use your apps now | [Zapier MCP](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/quickstart.md) | Connect tools to an AI client, no code |
| Build an app or agent in code | [Zapier SDK](https://docs.zapier.com/sdk/quickstart.md) | Call Zapier as a library: code, state, retries, schedules |
| Drive Zapier from the terminal | [Zapier CLI](https://docs.zapier.com/sdk/using-the-cli.md) | Standalone global install |
| Not sure | [Zapier MCP](https://docs.zapier.com/mcp/get-started/quickstart.md) | Fastest path to a working agent |

> [!NOTE]
>
> The SDK and CLI are separate installs. Pick the SDK for a code project, the CLI for terminal-only work.

## Let your agent install for you

Click a button to open your agent with the install prompt ready to run:

> [card] [Open in Codex](codex://new?prompt=Run%20npx%20%40zapier%2Finstall-zapier%20and%20follow%20the%20printed%20instructions%20to%20help%20me%20install%20Zapier.)

> [card] [Open in Claude Code](claude://code/new?q=Run%20npx%20%40zapier%2Finstall-zapier%20and%20follow%20the%20printed%20instructions%20to%20help%20me%20install%20Zapier.)

> [card] [Open in Cursor](cursor://anysphere.cursor-deeplink/prompt?text=Run%20npx%20%40zapier%2Finstall-zapier%20and%20follow%20the%20printed%20instructions%20to%20help%20me%20install%20Zapier.)

> [card] [Open in VS Code Copilot](vscode://GitHub.copilot-chat/chat?prompt=Run%20npx%20%40zapier%2Finstall-zapier%20and%20follow%20the%20printed%20instructions%20to%20help%20me%20install%20Zapier.)

Using another agent? Paste this prompt:

```text theme={null}
Run npx @zapier/install-zapier and follow the printed instructions to help me install Zapier.
```