Instapdown MCP

What farukkolip/instapdown-mcp MCP server does

The farukkolip/instapdown-mcp MCP server connects MCP clients to Instapdown’s public API and creator-focused datasets. It provides 16 tools covering Instagram media retrieval, engagement analysis, hashtag research, content ideation, text styling, posting schedules, and calendar planning.

The downloader tools accept public Instagram URLs or usernames. They can retrieve Reels, feed videos, Stories, profile pictures, carousels, and photos. A separate audio tool extracts the source m4a track from a Reel. Private accounts are not supported and return HTTP 422 responses by design.

Analytics tools cover two related workflows. An engagement health check examines the last 12 posts for a username and returns weighted engagement rate, save rate, comment rate, and a tier benchmark. The calculator derives a weighted rate from follower and interaction counts, weighting likes, comments, saves, and shares differently.

How it works

The server runs locally through the npm package and communicates with the Instapdown public API. Its default API host is https://instapdown.com. Each MCP tool maps to a focused request, such as downloading a Reel from its URL, looking up hashtag counts for a topic and locale, or generating content recommendations for a market.

The content strategy tools use predefined data as well as API-backed results. Hook generation returns 10 templates selected from a 900-hook library, with optional niche, country, and language inputs. Hashtag search returns Instagram post counts, while creator hashtag auditing builds a frequency map from the last 12 posts. Posting-time results include five prime slots and a seven-day heatmap based on Buffer 2026 data covering more than 30 million posts.

Setup and configuration

Install the farukkolip/instapdown-mcp MCP server with:

npx -y instapdown-mcp

No account, API key, or configuration is required for the default setup. Claude Desktop can launch it with npx and the -y instapdown-mcp arguments. The README also identifies Cursor and Cline as compatible MCP clients.

For local development or staging, set INSTAPDOWN_BASE_URL to replace the default API host. The repository can also be cloned and built with npm; its documented smoke test exercises all 16 tools and six offline-callable tools.

Tools and capabilities

• Download Reels as HD MP4 files and return the direct media URL and audio track.
• Download feed videos, active Stories, profile pictures, carousel slides, and single-image posts.
• Extract a Reel’s source m4a audio URL.
• Calculate weighted engagement using like, comment, save, and share inputs.
• Check a creator’s engagement health over the most recent 12 posts.
• Search hashtags by topic and locale, list 25 curated seed niches, and audit creator hashtag frequency.
• Generate 10 Reels hook templates, produce 22 Unicode font variants, and retrieve country-specific posting times.
• Browse a 2026 content calendar with market-specific hooks and hashtag sets.

Country-varied tools support US, GB, CA, AU, BR, MX, ES, IT, DE, FR, NL, SE, TR, JP, SA, AE, and RU markets.

Limitations and notes

The server handles public Instagram content only; it is not intended to access private accounts. Its Instagram functionality is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Meta Platforms or Instagram. The API host can be changed for development, but the supplied material does not describe additional authentication methods or deployment modes.