---
ref: tool:resend/create-contact
name: Create a contact
company: company:resend
workflows: []
access: [mcp, cli, api]
tags: [capability:build-audience, category:email, has:api, has:cli, has:mcp]
docs: https://resend.com/docs/api-reference/contacts/create-contact
updated: 2026-09-27
---

# Create a contact

Adds a contact with an email address and optional name, custom properties, segments and topic subscriptions, and returns its ID.

Pass `segments` to add the new contact to segments in the same call, and
`topics` to set its topic subscriptions. Setting `unsubscribed` to `true`
keeps the contact out of every broadcast.

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

Call the MCP tool `create-contact`.

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

### CLI (official)

Install the command, then confirm it runs.

```sh
npm install -g resend-cli
resend --version
```

Run `resend contacts create`.

Set `$RESEND_API_KEY` in your environment first (get a key: https://resend.com/api-keys).

### API (official)

- Base URL: https://api.resend.com
- Endpoint: `POST /contacts`
- Auth: send the header `Authorization: Bearer $RESEND_API_KEY`
- Get a key: https://resend.com/api-keys
- Docs: https://resend.com/docs/api-reference/introduction

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.