---
ref: tool:front/create-draft
name: Draft a new message
company: company:front
workflows: []
access: [mcp, api]
tags: [capability:send-email, category:support, has:api, has:mcp]
docs: https://dev.frontapp.com/reference/create-draft
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Draft a new message

Creates an unsent draft that starts a new conversation from a channel, for a teammate to review and send.

Note: Needs a channel ID: list them with `list_channels`. On MCP leave out `conversationId`, which drafts a reply instead. Set `mode` to `shared` on the API, or `shared` to true on MCP, so teammates can see the draft.

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

Call the MCP tool `create_draft`.

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

Note: Connect with the client ID and secret of a Front developer app that has MCP Server access: Front has no dynamic client registration.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api2.frontapp.com
- Endpoint: `POST /channels/{channel_id}/drafts`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $FRONT_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://dev.frontapp.com/docs/create-and-revoke-api-tokens
- Docs: https://dev.frontapp.com/reference/introduction

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.