How to integrate Zulip MCP with Claude Code

Manage your Zulip directly from Claude Code with zero worries about OAuth hassles, API-breaking issues, or reliability and security concerns. You can do this in two different ways: Via Composio Connect - Direct and easiest approach Via Composio SDK - Programmatic approach with more control

Zulip logoZulip
Basic

Zulip is a chat platform for distributed teams that blends real-time chat with email-style threading. It keeps conversations organized, making team communication clearer and more productive.

111 Tools

Introduction

Manage your Zulip directly from Claude Code with zero worries about OAuth hassles, API-breaking issues, or reliability and security concerns.

You can do this in two different ways:

  1. Via Composio Connect - Direct and easiest approach
  2. Via Composio SDK - Programmatic approach with more control

Also integrate Zulip with

Why use Composio?

  • Only one MCP URL to connect multiple apps with Claude Code with zero auth hassles.
  • Programmatic tool calling allows LLMs to write its code in a remote workbench to handle complex tool chaining. Reduces to-and-fro with LLMs for frequent tool calling.
  • Handling Large tool responses out of LLM context to minimize context rot.
  • Dynamic just-in-time access to 20,000 tools across 1000+ other Apps for cross-app workflows. It loads the tools you need, so LLMs aren't overwhelmed by tools you don't need.

Connecting Zulip to Claude Code using Composio

1. Add the Composio MCP to Claude

Terminal

2. Start Claude Code

bash
claude

3. Open your MCP list

bash
/mcp

4. Select Composio and click on Authenticate

Select Composio and click Authenticate

5. This will redirect you to the Composio OAuth page. Complete the flow by authorizing Composio and you're all set.

Composio OAuth authorization page
Composio authorization complete
Ask Claude to connect to your account and authenticate via the link

What is the Zulip MCP server, and what's possible with it?

The Zulip MCP server is an implementation of the Model Context Protocol that connects your AI agent and assistants like Claude, Cursor, etc directly to your Zulip account. It provides structured and secure access so your agent can perform Zulip operations on your behalf.

Connecting Zulip via Composio SDK

Composio SDK is the underlying tech that powers Rube. It's a universal gateway that does everything Rube does but with much more programmatic control. You can programmatically generate an MCP URL with the app you need (here Zulip) for even more tool search precision. It's secure and reliable.

How the Composio SDK works

The Composio SDK follows a three-phase workflow:

  1. Discovery: Searches for tools matching your task and returns relevant toolkits with their details.
  2. Authentication: Checks for active connections. If missing, creates an auth config and returns a connection URL via Auth Link.
  3. Execution: Executes the action using the authenticated connection.

Step-by-step Guide

Step by step10 STEPS
1

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have:
  • Claude Pro, Max, or API billing enabled Anthropic account
  • Composio API Key
  • A Zulip account
  • Basic knowledge of Python or TypeScript
2

Install Claude Code

bash
# macOS, Linux, WSL
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Windows PowerShell
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

# Windows CMD
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.cmd -o install.cmd && install.cmd && del install.cmd

To install Claude Code, use one of the following methods based on your operating system:

3

Set up Claude Code

bash
cd your-project-folder
claude

Open a terminal, go to your project folder, and start Claude Code:

  • Claude Code will open in your terminal
  • Follow the prompts to sign in with your Anthropic account
  • Complete the authentication flow
  • Once authenticated, you can start using Claude Code
Claude Code initial setup showing sign-in prompt
Claude Code terminal after successful login
4

Set up environment variables

bash
COMPOSIO_API_KEY=your_composio_api_key_here
USER_ID=your_user_id_here

Create a .env file in your project root with the following variables:

  • COMPOSIO_API_KEY authenticates with Composio (get it from Composio dashboard)
  • USER_ID identifies the user for session management (use any unique identifier)
5

Install Composio library

npm install @composio/core dotenv

Install the Composio TypeScript library to create MCP sessions.

  • @composio/core provides the core Composio functionality
  • dotenv loads environment variables from your .env file
6

Generate Composio MCP URL

import 'dotenv/config';
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';

const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env;

if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) {
  throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env');
}

const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY });

const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, {
  toolkits: ['zulip'],
});

const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url;

console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`);
console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`);
console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http zulip-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`);

Create a script to generate a Composio MCP URL for Zulip. This URL will be used to connect Claude Code to Zulip.

What's happening

  • We import the Composio client and load environment variables
  • Create a Composio instance with your API key
  • Call create() to create a Tool Router session for Zulip
  • The returned mcp.url is the MCP server URL that Claude Code will use
  • The script prints this URL so you can copy it
7

Run the script and copy the MCP URL

node --loader ts-node/esm generate_mcp_url.ts
# or if using tsx
tsx generate_mcp_url.ts

Run your TypeScript script to generate the MCP URL.

  • The script connects to Composio and creates a Tool Router session
  • It prints the MCP URL and the exact command you need to run
  • Copy the entire claude mcp add command from the output
8

Add Zulip MCP to Claude Code

bash
claude mcp add --transport http zulip-composio "YOUR_MCP_URL_HERE" --headers "X-API-Key:YOUR_COMPOSIO_API_KEY"

# Then restart Claude Code
exit
claude

In your terminal, add the MCP server using the command from the previous step. The command format is:

  • claude mcp add registers a new MCP server with Claude Code
  • --transport http specifies that this is an HTTP-based MCP server
  • The server name (zulip-composio) is how you'll reference it
  • The URL points to your Composio Tool Router session
  • --headers includes your Composio API key for authentication

After running the command, close the current Claude Code session and start a new one for the changes to take effect.

9

Verify the installation

bash
claude mcp list

Check that your Zulip MCP server is properly configured.

  • This command lists all MCP servers registered with Claude Code
  • You should see your zulip-composio entry in the list
  • This confirms that Claude Code can now access Zulip tools

If everything is wired up, you should see your zulip-composio entry listed:

Claude Code MCP list showing the toolkit MCP server
10

Authenticate Zulip

The first time you try to use Zulip tools, you'll be prompted to authenticate.

  • Claude Code will detect that you need to authenticate with Zulip
  • It will show you an authentication link
  • Open the link in your browser (or copy/paste it)
  • Complete the Zulip authorization flow
  • Return to the terminal and start using Zulip through Claude Code

Once authenticated, you can ask Claude Code to perform Zulip operations in natural language. For example:

  • "Post daily standup summary to #team stream"
  • "List unread messages from #support stream"
  • "Reply to the latest thread in #engineering"

Complete Code

Here's the complete code to get you started with Zulip and Claude Code:

import 'dotenv/config';
import { Composio } from '@composio/core';

const { COMPOSIO_API_KEY, USER_ID } = process.env;

if (!COMPOSIO_API_KEY || !USER_ID) {
  throw new Error('COMPOSIO_API_KEY and USER_ID required in .env');
}

const composioClient = new Composio({ apiKey: COMPOSIO_API_KEY });

const composioSession = await composioClient.create(USER_ID, {
  toolkits: ['zulip'],
});

const composioMcpUrl = composioSession?.mcp.url;

console.log(`MCP URL: ${composioMcpUrl}`);
console.log(`\nUse this command to add to Claude Code:`);
console.log(`claude mcp add --transport http zulip-composio "${composioMcpUrl}" --headers "X-API-Key:${COMPOSIO_API_KEY}"`);

Conclusion

You've successfully integrated Zulip with Claude Code using Composio's MCP server. Now you can interact with Zulip directly from your terminal using natural language commands.

Key features of this setup:

  • Terminal-native experience without switching contexts
  • Natural language commands for Zulip operations
  • Secure authentication through Composio's managed MCP
  • Tool Router for dynamic tool discovery and execution

Next steps:

  • Try asking Claude Code to perform various Zulip operations
  • Add more toolkits to your Tool Router session for multi-app workflows
  • Integrate this setup into your development workflow for increased productivity

You can extend this by adding more toolkits, implementing custom workflows, or building automation scripts that leverage Claude Code's capabilities.

TOOLS

Supported Tools

Every Zulip action and event your agent gets out of the box.

Add Alert Words

Tool to add alert words to the current user's configuration.

Add APNs Device Token

Tool to add an APNs (Apple Push Notification service) device token to Zulip.

Add Default Stream

Tool to add a channel as a default stream in Zulip.

Add Linkifier

Tool to add a linkifier to a Zulip realm.

Add Navigation View

Tool to add a navigation view in Zulip.

Add Reaction

Tool to add an emoji reaction to a Zulip message.

Archive Channel

Tool to archive a channel in Zulip.

Check Messages Match Narrow

Tool to check if specific messages match a narrow filter.

Create BigBlueButton video call

Tool to create a BigBlueButton video call in Zulip.

Create Channel

Tool to create a new channel in Zulip.

Create Channel Folder

Tool to create a new channel folder in Zulip.

Create custom profile field

Tool to create a custom profile field in Zulip.

Create Drafts

Tool to create one or more draft messages in Zulip.

Create reusable invitation link

Tool to create a reusable invitation link for the Zulip organization.

Create Message Reminder

Tool to create a message reminder in Zulip.

Create Saved Snippet

Tool to create a saved snippet in Zulip.

Create Scheduled Message

Tool to create a scheduled message in Zulip.

Delete Draft

Tool to delete a draft in Zulip.

Delete Message

Tool to delete a message in Zulip.

Delete Event Queue

Tool to delete an event queue previously registered via POST /api/v1/register.

Delete Reminder

Tool to delete a reminder from Zulip.

Delete Saved Snippet

Tool to delete a saved snippet by its ID.

Delete Scheduled Message

Tool to delete a scheduled message in Zulip.

Delete Topic

Tool to delete a topic from a Zulip channel/stream.

Edit Draft

Tool to edit an existing draft message in Zulip.

Edit Navigation View

Tool to update a navigation view in Zulip.

Edit Saved Snippet

Tool to edit a saved snippet by updating its title and/or content.

Export Realm

Tool to create a Zulip realm data export.

Get alert words

Tool to retrieve all configured alert words for the authenticated user.

Get Another User Presence

Tool to get the presence status for a specific user in Zulip.

Get Attachments

Tool to retrieve metadata on files uploaded by the requesting user.

Get Channel Folders

Tool to retrieve all channel folders in the organization, sorted by display order.

Get custom emoji

Tool to retrieve all custom emoji configured in the Zulip realm.

Get custom profile fields

Tool to get all custom profile fields configured for the Zulip realm.

Get drafts

Tool to fetch all drafts for the authenticated user.

Get Events

Tool to get events from a Zulip event queue.

Get file temporary URL

Tool to get a public temporary URL for an uploaded file in Zulip.

Get realm icon

Tool to retrieve the URL of the Zulip realm's icon.

Get all invitations

Tool to retrieve all unexpired invitations for the Zulip organization.

Get user group membership status

Tool to check if a user is a member of a specific user group.

Get linkifiers

Tool to retrieve all configured linkifiers in the Zulip realm.

Get message

Tool to fetch a single message by ID from Zulip.

Get Message History

Tool to fetch the complete edit history of a Zulip message.

Get Messages

Tool to fetch messages from Zulip.

Get Navigation Views

Tool to fetch all navigation views for the authenticated user.

Get own user

Tool to retrieve the profile information for the authenticated user.

Get Read Receipts

Tool to retrieve read receipts for a message in Zulip.

Get realm export consents

Tool to retrieve data export consent state for users in a realm.

Get all data exports

Tool to retrieve all data exports for the Zulip organization.

Get Realm Presence

Tool to get the presence status for all users in the Zulip realm.

Get reminders

Tool to fetch all undelivered reminders for the authenticated user.

Get Saved Snippets

Tool to fetch all saved snippets for the authenticated user.

Get Scheduled Messages

Tool to fetch all scheduled messages for the authenticated user.

Get server settings

Tool to retrieve server configuration and available authentication methods.

Get Channel by ID

Tool to get detailed information about a Zulip channel by its ID.

Get channel email address

Tool to retrieve the email address for a Zulip channel.

Get Channel ID

Tool to get a channel's unique ID by its name.

Get All Channels

Tool to retrieve all channels (streams) in Zulip that match specified filters.

Get stream topics

Tool to retrieve all topics in a Zulip channel.

Get Channel Subscribers

Tool to get all subscribers of a Zulip channel.

Get Subscriptions

Tool to retrieve all channels (streams) the authenticated user is subscribed to.

Get subscription status

Tool to check whether a specific user is subscribed to a particular channel (stream).

Get user by email

Tool to fetch a user by email address from Zulip.

Get user channels

Tool to retrieve the list of channel IDs that a specific user is subscribed to.

Get user group members

Tool to retrieve all members of a specific user group.

Get user groups

Tool to retrieve all user groups in the Zulip organization.

Get user group subgroups

Tool to retrieve subgroups of a user group.

Get user status

Tool to retrieve the status currently set by a user in the Zulip organization.

Mark All Messages as Read

Tool to mark all messages as read for the authenticated user.

Mark Stream as Read

Tool to mark all messages in a Zulip channel as read.

Mark Topic as Read

Tool to mark all messages in a topic as read.

Mute Topic

Tool to mute or unmute a topic in a Zulip channel.

Reactivate User

Tool to reactivate a deactivated user in Zulip.

Register Push Device

Tool to register an E2EE (end-to-end encrypted) push device for mobile notifications.

Register Event Queue

Tool to register an event queue for receiving Zulip events.

Remove Alert Words

Tool to remove alert words from the current user's configuration.

Remove Attachment

Tool to delete an attachment in Zulip.

Remove Code Playground

Tool to remove a code playground from a Zulip realm.

Remove Default Stream

Tool to remove a channel from default streams in Zulip.

Remove FCM Token

Tool to remove an FCM registration token for Android push notifications.

Remove Linkifier

Tool to remove a linkifier from a Zulip realm.

Remove Navigation View

Tool to remove a navigation view in Zulip.

Remove Reaction

Tool to remove an emoji reaction from a Zulip message.

Render Message

Tool to render a message to HTML in Zulip.

Reorder Channel Folders

Tool to reorder channel folders in Zulip.

Reorder Custom Profile Fields

Tool to reorder custom profile fields in Zulip.

Reorder Linkifiers

Tool to reorder linkifiers in Zulip.

Revoke Email Invitation

Tool to revoke an email invitation in Zulip.

Revoke reusable invitation link

Tool to revoke a reusable invitation link for the Zulip organization.

Send Message

Tool to send a message in Zulip.

Send Test Notification

Tool to send a test notification to mobile device(s).

Set Typing Status

Tool to set typing status in Zulip.

Set Typing Status for Message Edit

Tool to set typing status when editing a message in Zulip.

Subscribe to Channel

Tool to subscribe users to one or more Zulip channels.

Test Welcome Bot Custom Message

Tool to test welcome bot custom message in Zulip.

Unsubscribe From Channel

Tool to unsubscribe from one or more channels (streams) in Zulip.

Update Channel Folder

Tool to update a channel folder in Zulip.

Update Linkifier

Tool to update a linkifier in a Zulip realm.

Update Message

Tool to edit a message in Zulip.

Update Message Flags

Tool to update personal message flags in Zulip.

Update Message Flags for Narrow

Tool to update personal message flags (e.

Update Realm User Settings Defaults

Tool to update realm-level defaults of user settings in Zulip.

Update Scheduled Message

Tool to edit a scheduled message in Zulip.

Update Settings

Tool to update user settings in Zulip.

Update Status

Tool to update your status in Zulip.

Update status for user

Tool to update the status for a specific user in the Zulip organization.

Update Channel

Tool to update a channel in Zulip.

Update Subscriptions

Tool to update channel subscriptions by subscribing to new channels or unsubscribing from existing ones.

Update Subscription Settings

Tool to update the user's personal settings for channels they are subscribed to.

Update user by email

Tool to update a user by email address in Zulip.

Update User Topic

Tool to update personal preferences for a topic in a Zulip channel.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

With a standalone Zulip MCP server, the agents and LLMs can only access a fixed set of Zulip tools tied to that server. However, with the Composio Tool Router, agents can dynamically load tools from Zulip and many other apps based on the task at hand, all through a single MCP endpoint.

Yes, you can. Claude Code fully supports MCP integration. You get structured tool calling, message history handling, and model orchestration while Tool Router takes care of discovering and serving the right Zulip tools.

Yes, absolutely. You can configure which Zulip scopes and actions are allowed when connecting your account to Composio. You can also bring your own OAuth credentials or API configuration so you keep full control over what the agent can do.

All sensitive data such as tokens, keys, and configuration is fully encrypted at rest and in transit. Composio is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and follows strict security practices so your Zulip data and credentials are handled as safely as possible.

Start with Zulip.It takes 30 seconds.

Managed auth, hosted MCP servers, and every Zulip tool your agent needs.Free to start.

Start building