---
ref: tool:apollo/add-contacts-to-sequence
name: Add contacts to a sequence
company: company:apollo
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:enroll-in-sequence, category:data-provider, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://docs.apollo.io/reference/add-contacts-to-sequence
updated: 2026-09-26
---

# Add contacts to a sequence

Enrolls saved contacts in an Apollo sequence so its email steps go out from the mailbox you choose.

Note: Only saved contacts can be enrolled, so create the person as a contact first, and pass a sending mailbox id from the email accounts list. Enrolling can start real outbound email: confirm the sequence, mailbox and contacts first.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### MCP (official, remote)

Add this server to your agent's MCP settings, then sign in when asked.

```json
{ "mcpServers": { "apollo": { "url": "https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `apollo_emailer_campaigns_add_contact_ids`.

Server URL: https://mcp.apollo.io/mcp

### CLI (official)

Install the command and sign in with it, then confirm it runs.

```sh
brew install apolloio/apollo-io-cli/apollo-io-cli
apollo --version
```

Run `apollo sequences add-contacts`.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.apollo.io/api/v1
- Endpoint: `POST /emailer_campaigns/{sequence_id}/add_contact_ids`
- Auth: send the header `x-api-key: $APOLLO_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://developer.apollo.io/#/keys
- Docs: https://docs.apollo.io/reference/apollo-api

Before anything else, confirm access with the cheapest read-only call, like a list or a search. Never send or change anything to test access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data, and say how many records it touches. One approval covers a batch the user has seen.
- Never print API keys.