LinkedInMCP: Revolutionizing LinkedIn API Interactions

🚀 Comprehensive Setup Guide

Prerequisites

• Node.js 16+
• LinkedIn Developer Account
• MCP-Compatible LLM (Claude, OpenAI, etc.)

1. LinkedIn Developer Setup

1. Go to LinkedIn Developer Portal
2. Create a new application
3. Obtain Client ID and Client Secret

Important: For detailed instructions on obtaining access tokens and authentication for LinkedIn API, refer to the official documentation: Getting Access to LinkedIn API

2. Project Installation

git clone https://github.com/Dishant27/linkedin-mcp-server.git
cd linkedin-mcp-server
npm install

3. Configuration Files

.env File

Create a .env file in the project root:

LINKEDIN_CLIENT_ID=your_client_id_here
LINKEDIN_CLIENT_SECRET=your_client_secret_here

claude_desktop_config.json (for Claude Desktop)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "linkedin": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/absolute/path/to/linkedin-mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "LINKEDIN_CLIENT_ID": "your_client_id",
        "LINKEDIN_CLIENT_SECRET": "your_client_secret"
      }
    }
  }
}

4. LLM Configuration Example

Claude.ai / Claude Desktop MCP Integration

{
  "tools": [
    {
      "name": "search-people",
      "description": "Search for LinkedIn profiles",
      "parameters": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "keywords": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "Keywords to search for in profiles"
          },
          "currentCompany": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {"type": "string"},
            "description": "Filter by current company"
          },
          "industries": {
            "type": "array",
            "items": {"type": "string"},
            "description": "Filter by industries"
          },
          "location": {
            "type": "string", 
            "description": "Filter by location"
          }
        }
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "get-profile",
      "description": "Retrieve detailed LinkedIn profile information",
      "parameters": {
        "type": "object",
        "properties": {
          "publicId": {
            "type": "string",
            "description": "Public ID of the LinkedIn profile"
          },
          "urnId": {
            "type": "string", 
            "description": "URN ID of the LinkedIn profile"
          }
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

5. Typical Workflow

1. Start the MCP Server:

   npm run build
   npm start

2. Example LLM Interactions:

   
   > Find software engineers in San Francisco working at tech companies

The LLM will use the search-people tool to:

1. Search LinkedIn profiles

2. Filter by location (San Francisco)

3. Filter by industry (Technology)

4. Return relevant profile details

## 📖 Learn More
Check out the detailed article explaining the concept and implementation:

[LinkedIn MCP Server for LLMs](https://dishantraghav27.medium.com/linkedin-mcp-server-for-llms-c96fd9bb4e39)

## 🚀 Project Background

**LinkedInMCP** is an innovative Model Context Protocol (MCP) server designed to transform how developers interact with LinkedIn's API. Born from the need for more flexible and powerful LinkedIn data integration, this project provides a robust, extensible framework for advanced LinkedIn data retrieval and interaction.

## 🌟 Project Vision

Recognizing the limitations of traditional LinkedIn API approaches, this solution creates a more intelligent, context-aware method of working with professional network data.

## ✨ Key Innovations

- **Intelligent Context Management**: Leverage MCP's advanced context handling
- **Secure, Typed Interactions**: Type-safe LinkedIn API interactions
- **Extensible Architecture**: Easy to expand and customize
- **Standardized Protocol**: Follows Model Context Protocol specifications

## 🛠️ Technologies

- TypeScript
- Model Context Protocol
- LinkedIn API
- OAuth 2.0
- Zod for Type Validation
- Axios for HTTP Requests

## 🔍 Core Capabilities

- Advanced People Search
- Detailed Profile Retrieval
- Job Market Intelligence
- Messaging Capabilities
- Secure Authentication Workflow

## 💼 Enterprise Use Cases

LinkedInMCP enables powerful applications for business settings:

### Talent Acquisition
- **Candidate Sourcing**: Find qualified candidates matching specific skill and experience criteria
- **Talent Pool Analysis**: Map talent distribution across industries and geographies
- **Outreach Automation**: Streamline initial contact with potential candidates
- **Competitive Intelligence**: Understand recruitment patterns at competitor organizations

### Sales & Business Development
- **Lead Generation**: Identify decision-makers at target companies
- **Account-Based Marketing**: Build comprehensive profiles of key accounts
- **Relationship Mapping**: Visualize connection networks within organizations
- **Market Penetration Analysis**: Track industry adoption of products or services

### Market Research
- **Industry Trends**: Monitor employment shifts across sectors
- **Skill Demand Analysis**: Track emerging skills and technologies
- **Organizational Structure Insights**: Map reporting relationships and team compositions
- **Geographic Movement Patterns**: Understand talent migration between regions

### Integration Capabilities
- **CRM Synchronization**: Update contact data from LinkedIn to CRM systems
- **ATS Enhancement**: Enrich applicant tracking systems with LinkedIn data
- **Business Intelligence Tools**: Feed LinkedIn data to dashboards and analytics platforms
- **Custom Workflow Integration**: Add LinkedIn capabilities to internal tools via API

## 🔒 Security Framework

The comprehensive security model of LinkedInMCP implements multiple layers of protection:

### Authentication Security
- **OAuth 2.0 Implementation**: Industry-standard token-based authentication
- **Token Refresh Management**: Automated handling of token expiration
- **Credential Isolation**: Environment-based secret management
- **Rate Limiting**: Protection against excessive API requests

### Data Security
- **End-to-End Encryption**: Secure data transmission
- **Minimal Data Storage**: Processing data without persistent storage
- **Selective Information Return**: Only returning requested data fields
- **Automatic Data Sanitization**: Preventing injection vulnerabilities

### Compliance Features
- **GDPR Adherence**: Configurable data handling for European compliance
- **API Terms Enforcement**: Built-in LinkedIn API usage policy compliance
- **Audit Logging**: Comprehensive activity tracking for compliance reporting
- **Data Governance Tools**: Simplifying regulatory compliance management

## 📦 Generated Project Structure

linkedin-mcp-server/ │ ├── src/ │ ├── index.ts # Main server entry point │ ├── auth.ts # LinkedIn authentication handler │ └── client.ts # LinkedIn API interaction client │ ├── dist/ # Compiled JavaScript files │ ├── index.js │ ├── auth.js │ └── client.js │ ├── .env # Secret environment variables ├── .env.example # Template for environment variables ├── package.json # Project dependencies and scripts ├── tsconfig.json # TypeScript configuration └── README.md # Project documentation

## 🤝 Contributing

Inspired by the project? Contributions are welcome!

1. Fork the repository
2. Create your feature branch
3. Commit your changes
4. Push to the branch
5. Open a Pull Request

## 📄 License

Distributed under the MIT License.

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**Disclaimer**: This project is an independent innovation and is not officially affiliated with LinkedIn or Microsoft.