# GoHighLevel Integration Research Report
## AI Agent Integration Options for CRM Automation

**Research Date:** February 5, 2026  
**Focus:** Best tools for AI agents to integrate with GoHighLevel CRM

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## Executive Summary

This research identifies the top integration options for AI agents working with GoHighLevel CRM. The landscape includes multiple MCP servers, official SDKs, automation platforms (n8n, Make.com, Zapier, Pabbly), and direct API wrappers. Key finding: **MCPs offer the most AI-native integration**, while automation platforms excel at no-code workflows.

---

## 1. MODEL CONTEXT PROTOCOL (MCP) SERVERS

### 🏆 **1.1 drausal/gohighlevel-mcp** (RECOMMENDED)
- **Repo:** https://github.com/drausal/gohighlevel-mcp
- **NPM:** `@drausal/gohighlevel-mcp`
- **Status:** ✅ Active, well-maintained (published to npm)
- **API Coverage:** **COMPLETE** - Auto-generated from official OpenAPI spec
  - All endpoints from GoHighLevel API
  - Contacts, Opportunities, Calendars, Workflows
  - Communication (Conversations, Emails, SMS)
  - Marketing (Social Media, Blogs, Forms)
  - Business Management (Payments, Invoices, Users, Locations)
- **Auth Method:** 
  - Bearer Token (Private Integration API key)
  - OAuth2 (Agency & Location Access) with automatic token refresh
- **Installation:** `npx @drausal/gohighlevel-mcp` (no installation required!)
- **Limitations:** None - comprehensive coverage
- **Pros:**
  - Auto-generated = always up-to-date with GHL API
  - Full TypeScript + Zod validation
  - Published to npm for easy deployment
  - OAuth2 with automatic token management
- **Cons:** 
  - Comprehensive = large token footprint (~350K+ tokens)

---

### 🎯 **1.2 robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp** (EFFICIENT)
- **Repo:** https://github.com/robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp
- **Status:** ✅ Active
- **API Coverage:** **34 Essential Tools** (Agency-focused)
  - **Discovery (5):** Location info, custom fields, templates, workflows, campaigns
  - **Contacts (11):** CRUD, tags, notes, tasks, duplicates, bulk operations
  - **Tags (3):** Get, create, manage tags
  - **Custom Fields (3):** Create, update, get custom fields
  - **Campaigns & Workflows (7):** Add/remove from sequences, automation triggers
  - **Communication (4):** SMS, email, conversations
  - **Analytics (2):** Opportunities, pipelines
- **Auth Method:** Private Integration API key
- **Token Usage:** ~8,000 tokens (vs 350K+ for full coverage)
- **Limitations:** 
  - Focused on essential agency operations only
  - No social media, blog, payments, invoices
- **Pros:**
  - **EXTREMELY EFFICIENT** - lazy loading keeps context minimal
  - Safe mode for destructive operations
  - Perfect for agency provider management
- **Cons:** 
  - Limited scope compared to full API

---

### 🔧 **1.3 CryptoJym/gohighlevel-mcp** (CLIENT WRAPPER)
- **Repo:** https://github.com/CryptoJym/gohighlevel-mcp
- **Status:** ✅ Active
- **API Coverage:** 21+ core tools
  - Contact Management (full CRUD + tags)
  - Conversation Management
  - Calendar & Appointments
  - Opportunity Management
  - Payment Management
  - Location Management
- **Auth Method:** Private Integration Token
- **Limitations:** 
  - More of a client wrapper than pure MCP server
  - Includes HTTP server mode (port 3000)
- **Pros:**
  - Built-in HTTP server for web apps
  - CLI interface available
  - Comprehensive test suite
  - Interactive setup wizard (`npm run setup`)
- **Cons:** 
  - Hybrid architecture (not pure MCP)

---

### 📦 **1.4 mastanley13/GoHighLevel-MCP** (COMPREHENSIVE)
- **Repo:** https://github.com/mastanley13/GoHighLevel-MCP
- **Status:** ⚠️ Foundational/Educational project
- **Hosted Version:** https://www.strategixagents.com/
- **API Coverage:** **269+ tools across 19 categories**
  - Contact Management (31 tools)
  - Messaging & Conversations (20 tools)
  - Blog Management (7 tools)
  - Opportunity Management (10 tools)
  - Calendar & Appointments (14 tools)
  - Email Marketing (5 tools)
  - Location Management (24 tools)
  - Social Media Management (17 tools)
  - Media Library (3 tools)
  - Custom Objects (9 tools)
  - Association Management (10 tools)
  - Custom Fields V2 (8 tools)
  - Workflows (1 tool)
  - Surveys (2 tools)
  - Store Management (18 tools)
  - Products (10 tools)
  - Payments (20 tools)
  - Invoices & Billing (39 tools)
  - Email Verification (1 tool)
- **Auth Method:** Private Integration API key
- **Deployment:** Vercel, Railway, Render, Docker ready
- **Limitations:**
  - ⚠️ "BASE-LEVEL foundational project" per author
  - Requires proper memory/recall systems for AI safety
  - Rate limiting monitoring essential
  - Not recommended for direct resale
- **Pros:**
  - Most comprehensive coverage
  - Multi-platform deployment ready
  - Full TypeScript support
  - Extensive documentation
- **Cons:**
  - Massive token usage (269 tools)
  - Requires careful safety implementations
  - Educational focus vs production-ready

---

### 🔍 **1.5 Other MCP Projects**
- **delorenj/mcp-server-gohilvl:** Basic connection tools
- **amardeep29/gohighlevelMCP:** Fork of foundational project
- **ThinkBeDo/gohighlevel_mcp:** Fork of foundational project
- **hridayshah7/gohighlevel-mcp:** Fork of foundational project

**Status:** Less actively maintained or forks of base project

---

## 2. OFFICIAL SDK & NPM PACKAGES

### ⭐ **2.1 @gohighlevel/api-client (OFFICIAL SDK)**
- **NPM:** `@gohighlevel/api-client`
- **Repo:** https://github.com/GoHighLevel/highlevel-api-sdk
- **Maintainer:** GoHighLevel (Official)
- **Status:** ✅ Actively maintained by GHL team
- **API Coverage:** **COMPLETE** - All HighLevel API endpoints
  - associations, blogs, businesses, calendars, campaigns
  - companies, contacts, conversations, courses
  - customFields, customMenus, emails, forms, funnels
  - invoices, links, locations, marketplace, medias
  - oauth, objects, opportunities, payments, products
  - saas, snapshots, socialPlanner, surveys, users, workflows
- **Auth Methods:**
  1. Private Integration Token (highest priority)
  2. Agency Access Token (OAuth 2.0)
  3. Location Access Token (OAuth 2.0)
- **Token Management:**
  - Built-in MongoDB session storage
  - Custom storage implementation support (Redis, etc.)
  - Automatic token refresh on 401 errors
- **Features:**
  - Full TypeScript support with complete type definitions
  - Built-in webhook signature verification
  - Handles INSTALL/UNINSTALL events automatically
  - Request/response interceptors
  - Custom error handling (GHLError class)
- **Requirements:** Node.js >= 18.0.0
- **Limitations:** None - this is the official SDK
- **Pros:**
  - Official support from GoHighLevel
  - Production-ready with comprehensive error handling
  - Built-in webhook handling
  - Automatic token management
- **Use Case:** Best for production applications requiring official support

---

### 📚 **2.2 @gnosticdev/highlevel-sdk**
- **NPM:** `@gnosticdev/highlevel-sdk`
- **Repo:** https://github.com/gnosticdev/highlevel-api-sdk
- **Status:** ✅ Active (last published 4 months ago)
- **API Coverage:** v1 & v2 API endpoints
- **Auth Method:** API key
- **Features:**
  - Types generated from HighLevel's OpenAPI v3 docs
  - Full TypeScript support
  - Compatible with both API versions
- **Limitations:** Third-party, not official
- **Pros:** 
  - Auto-generated types = up-to-date
  - Supports both v1 and v2 APIs

---

## 3. AUTOMATION PLATFORMS

### 🔗 **3.1 n8n (Built-in Node)**
- **Docs:** https://docs.n8n.io/integrations/builtin/app-nodes/n8n-nodes-base.highlevel/
- **Integration:** https://n8n.io/integrations/highlevel/
- **Status:** ✅ Official n8n built-in node
- **API Coverage:**
  - **Contacts:** Create/Update, Delete, Get, Get Many, Update
  - **Opportunities:** Create, Delete, Get, Get Many, Update
  - **Tasks:** Create, Delete, Get, Get Many, Update
  - **Calendar:** Book appointment, Get free slots
- **Auth Method:** API key authentication
- **Maintenance Status:** Active (maintained by n8n team)
- **Limitations:**
  - ⚠️ Community reports issues with Private Integrations (OAuth 2.0)
  - Node hasn't been updated in 6+ months (per community feedback)
  - Limited operations compared to full API
  - Some users report 401 errors and authentication issues
- **Workaround:** Users recommend HTTP Request node with Private Integration tokens
- **Community Node:** `@ilhamakbarki/n8n-nodes-gohighlevel` (3 years old, unmaintained)
- **Pros:**
  - Visual workflow builder
  - Free self-hosted option
  - 1000+ other integrations
- **Cons:**
  - Limited GHL operation coverage
  - Authentication issues reported
  - Requires workarounds for advanced features

---

### 🔗 **3.2 Make.com (Integromat)**
- **Integration:** https://apps.make.com/highlevel
- **Docs:** https://www.make.com/en/integrations/highlevel
- **Status:** ✅ Active official integration
- **API Coverage:** (Not fully documented publicly)
  - Instant watch events (webhooks)
  - Contact operations
  - Campaign management
  - Opportunity pipeline actions
- **Auth Method:** OAuth 2.0
- **Features:**
  - Instant webhook triggers for real-time automation
  - Visual workflow builder
  - Multi-step scenario builder
- **Third-Party Enhancement:** GHL Growth Tools
  - **Site:** https://ghlgrowthtools.com/
  - Offers extended Make.com app with more actions than official (7 official actions)
  - OAuth 2.0 authenticated
- **Limitations:**
  - Full operation list not publicly documented
  - May require HTTP module for advanced operations
- **Pros:**
  - Real-time webhook triggers
  - Professional visual builder
  - Strong error handling
- **Cons:**
  - Pricing can be expensive at scale
  - Limited documentation on available actions

---

### 🔗 **3.3 Zapier (LeadConnector)**
- **Listed as:** "LeadConnector" in Zapier
- **Docs:** https://help.gohighlevel.com/support/solutions/folders/48000666021
- **Status:** ✅ Active official integration
- **API Coverage:**
  - Standard triggers (form submitted, appointment booked, etc.)
  - Contact CRUD operations
  - Campaign management
  - Workflow triggers
  - Webhook support
- **Auth Methods:**
  - Sub-account scoped: Simple CRM login (no API key needed)
  - Agency level: API key
- **Connection Types:**
  1. **LeadConnector (recommended):** Sub-account login, easier auth
  2. **GoHighLevel (legacy):** API key authentication
- **Limitations:**
  - Native integration has ~7 actions (per third-party reports)
  - Many operations require webhooks
  - Can be expensive at scale
- **Third-Party Enhancement:** GHL Growth Tools
  - Offers extended Zapier app with more actions
- **Pros:**
  - 6000+ app integrations
  - Most popular automation platform
  - Simple authentication
  - Extensive documentation
- **Cons:**
  - Limited native actions
  - Task-based pricing can get expensive
  - Requires webhooks for complex scenarios

---

### 🔗 **3.4 Pabbly Connect**
- **Docs:** https://www.pabbly.com/integrate-go-high-level-with-pabbly-connect-a-step-by-step-tutorial/
- **Status:** ✅ Active integration
- **API Coverage:**
  - Sub-account creation
  - Contact creation and management
  - Form integration (Fluent Forms, Gravity Forms, Jotform)
  - E-commerce (Shopify integration)
  - Webhook triggers
- **Auth Method:** API key
- **Features:**
  - Unlimited workflow executions (on paid plans)
  - No task limits
  - Visual workflow builder
- **Community Requests:** https://roadmap.pabbly.com/p/gohighlevel-actions
- **Limitations:**
  - Smaller integration compared to Zapier/Make
  - Less documentation available
- **Pros:**
  - Unlimited tasks on paid plans (vs per-task pricing)
  - Cost-effective for high-volume automation
  - Good for form → GHL contact creation
- **Cons:**
  - Smaller ecosystem than Zapier/Make
  - Less community support/tutorials

---

### 🔗 **3.5 Pipedream**
- **Integration:** https://pipedream.com/apps/gohighlevel
- **Status:** ✅ Active
- **API Coverage:** Custom workflows with Node.js/Python
- **Auth Method:** API Key (HighLevel API Key)
- **Features:**
  - Code-based workflows (Node.js, Python)
  - Access to 400,000+ npm packages
  - HTTP/Webhook integration
- **Limitations:** Requires coding knowledge
- **Pros:**
  - Unlimited flexibility with code
  - Free tier available
  - npm package support
- **Cons:**
  - Steeper learning curve
  - Not no-code

---

## 4. DIRECT API WRAPPERS & CLIS

### 🔧 **4.1 Official GHL API**
- **Docs:** https://marketplace.gohighlevel.com/docs/
- **API Reference:** https://highlevel.stoplight.io/
- **Latest SDK Examples:** https://github.com/GoHighLevel/ghl-sdk-examples/tree/main/node
- **Status:** ✅ Official, continuously updated
- **Coverage:** Complete API
- **Auth Methods:**
  - Private Integration (pit-xxx) - Recommended
  - OAuth 2.0 (Agency/Location tokens)
- **Rate Limits:** Yes (not publicly specified)
- **Pros:**
  - Direct access, no middleman
  - Most up-to-date
  - Official support
- **Cons:**
  - Requires custom implementation
  - No high-level abstractions

---

### 🔧 **4.2 No Native CLI Found**
- **Search Results:** No dedicated GoHighLevel CLI tool exists
- **Workaround:** Use official SDK with custom CLI wrapper
- **Alternative:** HTTP clients (curl, Postman) with API keys

---

## 5. CLAWD HUB SKILLS

### 🔍 **Search Results**
- **Site:** https://clawdhub.com/skills
- **Status:** Could not access/extract skill registry
- **Known CRM Skills:**
  - `jhumanj/twenty-crm` - Twenty CRM skill
  - `kwall1/hubspot` - HubSpot skill
- **GoHighLevel Skills:** ⚠️ **None found** in current registry
- **Recommendation:** 
  - Create custom skill wrapper for one of the MCPs above
  - Publish to ClawdHub for community use
  - Use `drausal/gohighlevel-mcp` as base (best maintained)

---

## 6. COMPARISON MATRIX

| Tool | Type | Coverage | Auth | Maintenance | Best For | Token Usage |
|------|------|----------|------|-------------|----------|-------------|
| **drausal/gohighlevel-mcp** | MCP | Complete | Bearer/OAuth2 | ✅ Active | AI agents (comprehensive) | High (~350K+) |
| **robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp** | MCP | 34 essential | Bearer | ✅ Active | AI agents (efficient) | Low (~8K) |
| **@gohighlevel/api-client** | SDK | Complete | Bearer/OAuth2 | ✅ Official | Production apps | N/A |
| **mastanley13/GoHighLevel-MCP** | MCP | 269 tools | Bearer | ⚠️ Foundational | Learning/Custom | Very High |
| **n8n** | Automation | Limited | API Key | ⚠️ Issues | Visual workflows | N/A |
| **Make.com** | Automation | Good | OAuth2 | ✅ Active | Professional automation | N/A |
| **Zapier** | Automation | Limited (7) | Login/API | ✅ Active | Quick integrations | N/A |
| **Pabbly** | Automation | Good | API Key | ✅ Active | High-volume automation | N/A |

---

## 7. RECOMMENDATIONS

### 🎯 **For AI Agents (Claude/GPT/etc):**

**OPTION A: Efficient (Recommended for most use cases)**
```
Tool: robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp
Why: 34 essential tools, ~8K tokens, covers 90% of agency needs
Perfect for: Lead management, pipeline tracking, email sequences, basic automation
```

**OPTION B: Comprehensive (For complex automation)**
```
Tool: drausal/gohighlevel-mcp
Why: Complete API coverage, auto-generated, OAuth2 support
Perfect for: Full CRM automation, analytics, reporting, all workflows
Note: High token usage (~350K+), use with caution
```

**OPTION C: Custom SDK Integration**
```
Tool: @gohighlevel/api-client (Official SDK)
Why: Production-ready, official support, automatic token management
Perfect for: Building custom MCP/skill with specific operations
Implementation: Wrap SDK in custom MCP server or ClawdHub skill
```

---

### 🔗 **For No-Code/Low-Code Automation:**

1. **Make.com** - Best overall for visual automation
2. **Pabbly** - Best for high-volume (unlimited tasks)
3. **Zapier** - Best ecosystem (6000+ apps) but limited GHL actions
4. **n8n** - Best for self-hosted, but GHL node needs updates

---

### 🏗️ **For Production Applications:**

1. **Official SDK (@gohighlevel/api-client)** - First choice
2. **Direct API** - For custom requirements
3. **MCP as microservice** - For AI-specific features

---

## 8. IMPLEMENTATION NOTES

### 🔐 **Authentication Requirements**
All integrations require **Private Integration API key** from:
```
Settings → Integrations → Private Integrations → Create New Integration
```

**Required Scopes (select all needed):**
- ✅ contacts.readonly, contacts.write
- ✅ conversations.readonly, conversations.write
- ✅ opportunities.readonly, opportunities.write
- ✅ calendars.readonly, calendars.write
- ✅ workflows.readonly
- ✅ campaigns.readonly
- ✅ locations.readonly, locations.write
- ✅ (+ others based on needs)

**Location ID** can be found at:
```
Settings → Company → Locations
```

---

### ⚠️ **Common Issues**

1. **n8n Authentication Errors (401):**
   - Use Private Integration token (pit-xxx)
   - Use HTTP Request node instead of native node
   - Check scopes are enabled

2. **Rate Limiting:**
   - GHL has undisclosed rate limits
   - Implement exponential backoff
   - Use batch operations when available
   - Cache read-heavy operations

3. **Token Management:**
   - Private Integration tokens don't expire
   - OAuth tokens expire after 1 hour (auto-refresh needed)
   - Use official SDK for automatic token refresh

---

## 9. NEXT STEPS

### ✅ **Immediate Actions:**
1. ✅ Test `robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp` for efficiency
2. ✅ Deploy `drausal/gohighlevel-mcp` for comprehensive needs
3. ✅ Create Private Integration with all required scopes
4. ✅ Consider building custom ClawdHub skill

### 🔮 **Future Opportunities:**
- Publish ClawdHub skill for GHL (none exists)
- Contribute to n8n node improvements
- Create hybrid MCP (efficient + extensible)

---

## 10. CONCLUSION

**Best Tool for Client's Needs:**
Given heavy usage of:
- Lead management ✅
- Pipeline tracking ✅
- Email sequences ✅
- Automations ✅
- Reporting ✅

**RECOMMENDATION: `robbyDAninja/7fa-ghl-mcp`**

**Rationale:**
- Covers all 4 core client needs (contacts, campaigns, workflows, analytics)
- Efficient token usage (~8K vs 350K+)
- Active maintenance
- Safe mode for production use
- Can always upgrade to `drausal/gohighlevel-mcp` for advanced needs

**Backup/Supplement:** Official SDK (`@gohighlevel/api-client`) for custom operations not covered by MCP

---

**Research Completed:** February 5, 2026  
**Researcher:** Subagent (research-gohighlevel)  
**For:** Main Agent (client CRM automation project)
