---
ref: tool:mailchimp/create-campaign
name: Create a campaign
company: company:mailchimp
workflows: []
access: [api]
tags: [capability:send-email, category:email, has:api]
docs: https://mailchimp.com/developer/marketing/api/campaigns/add-campaign/
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Create a campaign

Creates an unsent campaign for one audience, or a segment of it, with its subject line, sender and settings.

Set `type` (such as `regular`), `recipients.list_id` and, to narrow the
audience, `recipients.segment_opts`; `settings` holds the subject line, from
name and reply-to address. Add the content with
`PUT /campaigns/{campaign_id}/content` before sending.

## Set up

Use the first option your agent supports.

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://{dc}.api.mailchimp.com/3.0
- Endpoint: `POST /campaigns`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $MAILCHIMP_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://us1.admin.mailchimp.com/account/api/
- Docs: https://mailchimp.com/developer/marketing/api/

Before doing anything else, make one read-only call to confirm access.

## Rules

- Ask the user before anything that sends messages, costs money, or changes data.
- Never print API keys.