Intercom

Intercom API

Manage customer conversations, contacts, messages, articles, and support operations via the Intercom REST API.

Official docs: https://developers.intercom.com/docs

When to Use

Use this skill when you need to:

• Manage contacts - Create, update, search, and delete user profiles
• Handle conversations - List, search, reply to, assign, and close conversations
• Send messages - Create and send messages to contacts
• Manage companies - Track organizations and their members
• Work with articles - Access help center content and knowledge base
• Add notes - Annotate contact profiles with internal notes
• Use tags - Organize contacts and conversations with labels
• Track events - Record custom user activities and behaviors
• Manage tickets - Create and handle support tickets

Prerequisites

Getting Your Access Token

1. Log in to your Intercom workspace
2. Navigate to Settings → Developers → Developer Hub
3. Create a new app or select an existing one
4. Go to Configure → Authentication
5. Copy your Access Token

export INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN="your_access_token"

Verify Token

Test your token:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/admins" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"' | jq '.admins[] | {id, name, email}'

Expected response: List of admins in your workspace

✅ This skill has been tested and verified with a live Intercom workspace. All core endpoints work correctly.

Regional Endpoints

• US (Default): https://api.intercom.io/
• Europe: https://api.eu.intercom.io/
• Australia: https://api.au.intercom.io/

Important: When using $VAR in a command that pipes to another command, wrap the command containing $VAR in bash -c '...'. Due to a Claude Code bug, environment variables are silently cleared when pipes are used directly.

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.example.com" -H "Authorization: Bearer $API_KEY"' | jq .

How to Use

All examples assume INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN is set.

Base URL: https://api.intercom.io/

Required Headers:

• Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}
• Accept: application/json
• Intercom-Version: 2.14

Core APIs

1. List Admins

Get all admins/teammates in your workspace:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/admins" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"' | jq '.admins[] | {id, name, email}'

2. Create Contact

Create a new contact (lead or user):

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "email": "user@example.com",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "phone": "+1234567890"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

With custom attributes:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "email": "user@example.com",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "custom_attributes": {
    "plan": "premium",
    "signup_date": "2024-01-15"
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

3. Get Contact

Retrieve a specific contact by ID. Replace <your-contact-id> with the actual contact ID:

curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"

4. Update Contact

Update contact information. Replace <your-contact-id> with the actual contact ID:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "name": "Jane Doe",
  "custom_attributes": {
    "plan": "enterprise"
  }
}

Then run:

curl -s -X PATCH "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json

Note: Newly created contacts may need a few seconds before they can be updated.

5. Delete Contact

Permanently delete a contact. Replace <your-contact-id> with the actual contact ID:

curl -s -X DELETE "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"

6. Search Contacts

Search contacts with filters:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "field": "email",
    "operator": "=",
    "value": "user@example.com"
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json' | jq '.data[] | {id, email, name}'

Search with multiple filters:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "operator": "AND",
    "value": [
      {
        "field": "role",
        "operator": "=",
        "value": "user"
      },
      {
        "field": "custom_attributes.plan",
        "operator": "=",
        "value": "premium"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json' | jq '.data[] | {id, email, name}'

7. List Conversations

Get all conversations:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/conversations?order=desc&sort=updated_at" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"' | jq '.conversations[] | {id, state, created_at, updated_at}'

8. Get Conversation

Retrieve a specific conversation. Replace <your-conversation-id> with the actual conversation ID:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/<your-conversation-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Accept: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"'

9. Search Conversations

Search for open conversations:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "operator": "AND",
    "value": [
      {
        "field": "state",
        "operator": "=",
        "value": "open"
      }
    ]
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json' | jq '.conversations[] | {id, state, created_at}'

Search by assignee:

Replace <your-admin-id> with the actual admin ID in the request JSON below.

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "field": "admin_assignee_id",
    "operator": "=",
    "value": "<your-admin-id>"
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json' | jq '.conversations[] | {id, state, created_at}'

10. Reply to Conversation

Reply as an admin. Replace <your-conversation-id> and <your-admin-id> with actual IDs:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "message_type": "comment",
  "type": "admin",
  "admin_id": "<your-admin-id>",
  "body": "Thank you for your message. We'll help you with this."
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/<your-conversation-id>/parts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

11. Assign Conversation

Assign a conversation to an admin or team. Replace <your-conversation-id>, <your-admin-id>, and <your-assignee-id> with actual IDs:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "message_type": "assignment",
  "type": "admin",
  "admin_id": "<your-admin-id>",
  "assignee_id": "<your-assignee-id>"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/<your-conversation-id>/parts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

12. Close Conversation

Close an open conversation. Replace <your-conversation-id> and <your-admin-id> with actual IDs:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "message_type": "close",
  "type": "admin",
  "admin_id": "<your-admin-id>"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/<your-conversation-id>/parts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

13. Create Note

Add an internal note to a contact. Replace <your-contact-id> with the actual contact ID:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "body": "Customer is interested in enterprise plan. Follow up next week."
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>/notes" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

14. List Tags

Get all tags:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/tags" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"' | jq '.data[] | {id, name}'

15. Create Tag

Create a new tag:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "name": "VIP Customer"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/tags" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

16. Tag Contact

Add a tag to a contact. Replace <your-contact-id> and <your-tag-id> with actual IDs:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "id": "<your-tag-id>"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>/tags" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

17. Untag Contact

Remove a tag from a contact. Replace <your-contact-id> and <your-tag-id> with actual IDs:

curl -s -X DELETE "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>/tags/<your-tag-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"

18. List Articles

Get help center articles:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/articles" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"' | jq '.data[] | {id, title, url}'

19. Get Article

Retrieve a specific article. Replace <your-article-id> with the actual article ID:

bash -c 'curl -s "https://api.intercom.io/articles/<your-article-id>" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14"'

20. Create Company

Create a new company:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "company_id": "acme-corp-123",
  "name": "Acme Corporation",
  "plan": "enterprise",
  "size": 500,
  "website": "https://acme.com"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/companies" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

21. Attach Contact to Company

Associate a contact with a company. Replace <your-contact-id> and <your-company-id> with actual IDs:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "id": "<your-company-id>"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/<your-contact-id>/companies" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

22. Track Event

Record a custom event for a contact:

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "event_name": "purchased-plan",
  "created_at": 1234567890,
  "user_id": "user-123",
  "metadata": {
    "plan": "premium",
    "price": 99
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/events" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

Common Workflows

Find and Reply to Open Conversations

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "field": "state",
    "operator": "=",
    "value": "open"
  }
}

Then run:

# Search for open conversations
OPEN_CONVS="$(bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json | jq -r ".conversations[0].id"')"

# Replace <your-admin-id> with the actual admin ID
ADMIN_ID="<your-admin-id>"

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "message_type": "comment",
  "type": "admin",
  "admin_id": "<your-admin-id>",
  "body": "We're looking into this for you."
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/conversations/${OPEN_CONVS}/parts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

Create Contact and Add to Company

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "email": "newuser@acme.com",
  "name": "New User"
}

Then run:

# Create contact and extract ID
CONTACT_ID=$(bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json | jq -r ".id"')

# Replace <your-company-id> with the actual company ID
COMPANY_ID="<your-company-id>"

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "id": "<your-company-id>"
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/${CONTACT_ID}/companies" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json'

Search Operators

Field Operators

• = - Equals
• != - Not equals
• < - Less than
• > - Greater than
• <= - Less than or equal
• >= - Greater than or equal
• IN - In list
• NIN - Not in list
• ~ - Contains (for strings)
• !~ - Does not contain

Query Operators

• AND - All conditions must match
• OR - Any condition can match

Example Complex Search

Write to /tmp/intercom_request.json:

{
  "query": {
    "operator": "AND",
    "value": [
      {
        "field": "role",
        "operator": "=",
        "value": "user"
      },
      {
        "field": "created_at",
        "operator": ">",
        "value": 1609459200
      },
      {
        "field": "custom_attributes.plan",
        "operator": "IN",
        "value": ["premium", "enterprise"]
      }
    ]
  },
  "pagination": {
    "per_page": 50
  }
}

Then run:

bash -c 'curl -s -X POST "https://api.intercom.io/contacts/search" -H "Authorization: Bearer ${INTERCOM_ACCESS_TOKEN}" -H "Content-Type: application/json" -H "Intercom-Version: 2.14" -d @/tmp/intercom_request.json' | jq '.data[] | {id, email, name}'

Rate Limits

• Private Apps: 10,000 API calls per minute
• Public Apps: 10,000 API calls per minute
• Workspace Limit: 25,000 API calls per minute (combined)

When rate limited, API returns 429 Too Many Requests.

Rate Limit Headers:

• X-RateLimit-Limit: Requests per minute allowed
• X-RateLimit-Remaining: Remaining requests in current window
• X-RateLimit-Reset: Unix timestamp when limit resets

Guidelines

1. Always include required headers: All requests should have Authorization, Accept: application/json, and Intercom-Version: 2.14 headers
2. Use correct HTTP methods:
   • GET for retrieving data
   • POST for creating resources and searches
   • PATCH for updating resources (not PUT)
   • DELETE for removing resources
3. Handle rate limits: Monitor X-RateLimit-Remaining and implement exponential backoff
4. Wait after creating resources: Newly created contacts may need a few seconds before they can be updated or searched
5. Use search wisely: Search endpoints are powerful but count toward rate limits
6. Pagination: Use cursor-based pagination for large datasets
7. Test with small datasets: Verify your queries work before scaling up
8. Secure tokens: Never expose access tokens in public repositories or logs
9. Use filters: Narrow search results with filters to reduce API calls
10. Conversation states: Valid states are open, closed, snoozed
11. Custom attributes: Define custom fields in Intercom UI before using in API
12. Check workspace ID: Your workspace ID is included in contact responses for verification

API Reference

• Main Documentation: https://developers.intercom.com/docs
• API Reference: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api-intercom-com/
• Authentication: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/build-an-integration/learn-more/authentication/
• Rate Limiting: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/errors/rate-limiting/
• Contacts API: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api-intercom-com/contacts/
• Conversations API: https://developers.intercom.com/docs/references/rest-api/api-intercom-com/conversations/
• Developer Hub: https://app.intercom.com/a/apps/_/developer-hub