---
ref: tool:lusha/search-people
name: Search people
company: company:lusha
workflows: []
access: [mcp, api]
tags: [capability:find-prospects, category:data-provider, has:api, has:mcp]
docs: https://docs.lusha.com/mcp-docs
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Search people

Returns preview profiles of contacts who match job title, seniority, department, location and company filters, each listing which emails and phones can be revealed and at what credit cost.

Note: Resolve seniority, department and location values with `prospecting_contact_filters` first, which is free. Previews carry no emails or phones: reveal the people you keep with `prospecting_contact_enrich`.

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

Call the MCP tool `prospecting_contact_search`.

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

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.lusha.com
- Endpoint: `POST /v3/contacts/prospecting`
- Auth: send the header `api_key: $LUSHA_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://dashboard.lusha.com/enrich/api
- Docs: https://docs.lusha.com/apis/openapi

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.