# export_contacts

> Stores a copy of the contacts that match the filters (names, numbers, emails) for 24 hours, ready when the call returns; read the rows with get_contact_export. Sends nothing and changes no contact.

Last updated: 2026-10-25. Source: https://docs.smartchat.marketing/en/mcp/tools/export_contacts/

Stores a copy of the contacts that match the filters (names, numbers, emails) for 24 hours, ready when the call returns; read the rows with get_contact_export. Sends nothing and changes no contact.

| | |
|---|---|
| Tool name | `export_contacts` |
| Permission | `contacts:read` |
| `readOnlyHint` | false |
| `destructiveHint` | false |
| `idempotentHint` | true |
| `openWorldHint` | false |
| REST call | [`POST /v1/contact-exports`](https://docs.smartchat.marketing/en/api/reference/contacts/create_contact_export/) |

## What it does

- Changes data in your account. It does not send messages to contacts.
- Safe to repeat with the same idempotency_key.

## Input

The tool takes one flat object. Path, query and body fields of the REST call are merged into it.


| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `query` | string | no | Name, phone number or email, or part of it. Case does not matter. up to 100 characters |
| `tag` | string | no | Only contacts with this tag. Case does not matter. up to 60 characters |
| `optin_whatsapp` | string | no | Only contacts with this WhatsApp opt-in status. one of: `none`, `pending`, `confirmed`, `opted_out` |
| `created_after` | string | no | Only contacts created after this time (ISO 8601). up to 40 characters; format date-time |
| `created_before` | string | no | Only contacts created before this time (ISO 8601). up to 40 characters; format date-time |

**Arguments added by the MCP server** (see [Special arguments](https://docs.smartchat.marketing/en/mcp/#special-arguments))

| Name | Type | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| `idempotency_key` | string | no | Optional. Unique key, for example a UUID. Same key and arguments within 24 hours: first result. Without a key only an identical call within 1 minute counts as a repeat. up to 255 characters |

## Result

The result has the same content as the REST answer. Lists have at most 50 items per page (default 20); use `cursor` for the next page.

Errors come back as a tool result with `isError: true`. The error codes are the ones in [Errors](https://docs.smartchat.marketing/en/errors/).