---
ref: tool:close/search-leads
name: Search leads and contacts
company: company:close
workflows: []
access: [mcp, api]
tags: [capability:manage-crm, category:crm, has:api, has:mcp]
docs: https://developer.close.com/api/resources/advanced-filtering
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Search leads and contacts

Returns the leads or contacts that match a query, such as contacts with CTO in their title or leads not contacted in the past week.

Note: The API returns only IDs unless you pass `_fields`. The MCP tool takes a plain-language query and pages with `paginate_search`.

## 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": { "close": { "url": "https://mcp.close.com/mcp" } } }
```

Call the MCP tool `search`.

Server URL: https://mcp.close.com/mcp

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.close.com/api/v1
- Endpoint: `POST /data/search/`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Basic $CLOSE_API_KEY`
- Docs: https://developer.close.com/api/overview

Note: `CLOSE_API_KEY` holds the base64 of `<api key>:`, the key with a trailing colon.

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.