# Automation Platforms

> Connect workflow automation tools to graph8 Studio via MCP

Source: https://docs.graph8.com/developers/automation-platforms/

Connect workflow automation platforms to graph8 using the Model Context Protocol (MCP). Build powerful automations with your campaigns, accounts, and intelligence data.

> **Tip:**
> Headless automation platforms authenticate to the remote graph8 MCP server with a **personal or org API key** sent as an `Authorization: Bearer` header — not the interactive browser OAuth flow used by Claude Desktop or Cursor. There is no `session_id` to copy.

## Supported Platforms

**n8n**

    Open-source workflow automation. **Supported now.**
    
    [Setup Guide](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/n8n-setup/)

**Zapier**

    No-code automation platform. **Planned.**
    
    Integration coming soon

**Make**

    Visual automation builder. **Planned.**
    
    Integration coming soon

## Why Use MCP for Automation?

| Benefit | Description |
|---------|-------------|
| **Unified Access** | One connection for all graph8 data |
| **Real-Time Data** | Always current campaigns, accounts, and intelligence |
| **Secure** | Uses your permissions, revocable anytime |
| **Standardized** | Same MCP protocol across all platforms |

## Common Automation Use Cases

### Marketing Operations

- **Campaign Sync** — Push new campaigns to project management tools
- **Content Distribution** — Auto-share campaign content to social media schedulers
- **Performance Tracking** — Sync campaign metrics to analytics dashboards

### Sales Enablement

- **CRM Enrichment** — Add graph8 intelligence to CRM records
- **Deal Alerts** — Notify reps when company intelligence is updated
- **Pipeline Sync** — Keep deal data synchronized across systems

### Research & Intelligence

- **Competitive Alerts** — Trigger actions when competitive intel is updated
- **Company Monitoring** — Watch for changes in target companies
- **Report Distribution** — Auto-send intelligence reports to stakeholders

## Getting Started

### Step 1: Get an API key

1. Go to **Profile → Developer** in graph8 for a **personal API key**, or **Settings → API** (admin) for an **org API key**.
2. Copy the key — it starts with `g8_`.
3. Store it in your automation platform's credential manager, not inline in a node.

### Step 2: Choose Your Platform

| Platform | Status | Guide |
|----------|--------|-------|
| n8n | Available | [Setup Guide](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/n8n-setup/) |
| Zapier | Coming Soon | — |
| Make | Coming Soon | — |

### Step 3: Configure the Connection

Point the platform at the remote graph8 MCP endpoint and send your API key as a Bearer header:

```
POST https://be.graph8.com/mcp/
Authorization: Bearer YOUR_G8_API_KEY
Content-Type: application/json
```

The body is standard MCP JSON-RPC — see the [n8n Setup Guide](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/n8n-setup/) for a full request example.

## Available Tools

All automation platforms have access to the graph8 MCP tools your role grants. Tool names are prefixed with `g8_`. A few common ones:

> **Note:**
> Exact tool names are **mode-dependent**. When the endpoint runs in combined `all` mode, GTM tools are namespaced — e.g. `g8_gtm_list_campaigns` instead of `g8_list_campaigns`. The unprefixed names below are the canonical form; confirm the exact names your role grants in the [MCP Tool Reference](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/mcp-tools/).

### Campaigns
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `g8_list_campaigns` | List campaigns with an optional status filter |
| `g8_get_campaign` | Get details for a specific campaign |

### Companies
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `g8_search_companies` | Search companies already in your CRM |
| `g8_find_companies` | Search graph8's company index for new accounts |
| `g8_lookup_company` | Enrich a single company by domain or name |

### Deals
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `g8_get_deals` | List pipeline deals |
| `g8_get_deal` | Get deal details |

### Intelligence
| Tool | Description |
|------|-------------|
| `g8_list_intelligence_data` | List intelligence data for the org |
| `g8_tool_search` | Discover and activate other tools by keyword |

For the complete list, see the [MCP Tool Reference](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/mcp-tools/).

## Best Practices

### Credentials & keys

graph8 API keys are long-lived — there is no 24-hour session to refresh.

- Store keys in your platform's credential manager, referenced by header (`Authorization: Bearer g8_...`)
- Set up monitoring for `401` authentication failures
- Rotate or revoke keys from **Profile → Developer** or **Settings → API**; revocation is immediate

### Rate Limiting

- Add delays between high-volume API calls
- Batch operations where possible
- Cache frequently accessed data

### Error Handling

- Check for authentication errors and refresh session
- Handle rate limit responses with exponential backoff
- Log failures for debugging

> **Tip:**
> For production automations, consider setting up a dedicated service account in graph8 Studio with appropriate permissions.

## Zapier Integration (Coming Soon)

We're working on a native Zapier integration that will include:

- **Triggers**: Campaign created, Account updated, Intelligence ready
- **Actions**: Create campaign brief, Search accounts, Get intelligence
- **Searches**: Find campaigns, Find accounts, Find deals

Join the waitlist by contacting support@graph8.com.

## Make Integration (Coming Soon)

The Make (formerly Integromat) integration will offer:

- Visual scenario builder with graph8 modules
- Real-time webhooks for instant triggers
- Advanced data transformation tools

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Which automation platform should I choose?

n8n is available now and offers the most flexibility. Choose Zapier (coming soon) for no-code simplicity, or Make for visual workflow building. All will use the same MCP protocol.

### Can I use the REST API instead of MCP?

Yes, graph8 Studio has a full REST API. MCP is optimized for AI-native tools and conversational interfaces. Use REST API for traditional integrations and MCP for AI workflows.

### How do I migrate automations between platforms?

MCP tools are standardized, so the same operations work across platforms. You'll need to rebuild the workflow logic in each platform, but the graph8 calls remain identical.

### Is there a way to batch multiple operations?

Currently, each MCP call is individual. For bulk operations, loop through items in your automation platform. Consider adding delays to avoid rate limits.

### How do I report issues with the MCP integration?

Contact support@graph8.com with details about your platform, the operation attempted, and any error messages. Never share your API key.

## Related

- [MCP Overview](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/mcp)
- [n8n Setup Guide](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/n8n-setup/)
- [What You Can Ask](https://docs.graph8.com/developers/what-you-can-ask/)