instagram-automation

name	instagram-automation
description	Automate Instagram tasks via Rube MCP (Composio): create posts, carousels, manage media, get insights, and publishing limits. Always search tools first for current schemas.

Instagram Automation via Rube MCP

Automate Instagram operations through Composio's Instagram toolkit via Rube MCP.

Prerequisites

• Rube MCP must be connected (RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS available)
• Active Instagram connection via RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit instagram
• Always call RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS first to get current tool schemas
• Instagram Business or Creator account required (personal accounts not supported)

Setup

Get Rube MCP: Add https://rube.app/mcp as an MCP server in your client configuration. No API keys needed — just add the endpoint and it works.

1. Verify Rube MCP is available by confirming RUBE_SEARCH_TOOLS responds
2. Call RUBE_MANAGE_CONNECTIONS with toolkit instagram
3. If connection is not ACTIVE, follow the returned auth link to complete Instagram/Facebook OAuth
4. Confirm connection status shows ACTIVE before running any workflows

Core Workflows

1. Create a Single Image/Video Post

When to use: User wants to publish a single photo or video to Instagram

Tool sequence:

1. INSTAGRAM_GET_USER_INFO - Get Instagram user ID [Prerequisite]
2. INSTAGRAM_CREATE_MEDIA_CONTAINER - Create a media container with the image/video URL [Required]
3. INSTAGRAM_GET_POST_STATUS - Check if the media container is ready [Optional]
4. INSTAGRAM_CREATE_POST or INSTAGRAM_POST_IG_USER_MEDIA_PUBLISH - Publish the container [Required]

Key parameters:

• image_url: Public URL of the image to post
• video_url: Public URL of the video to post
• caption: Post caption text
• ig_user_id: Instagram Business account user ID

Pitfalls:

• Media URLs must be publicly accessible; private/authenticated URLs will fail
• Video containers may take time to process; poll GET_POST_STATUS before publishing
• Caption supports hashtags and mentions but has a 2200 character limit
• Publishing a container that is not yet finished processing returns an error

2. Create a Carousel Post

When to use: User wants to publish multiple images/videos in a single carousel post

Tool sequence:

1. INSTAGRAM_CREATE_MEDIA_CONTAINER - Create individual containers for each media item [Required, repeat per item]
2. INSTAGRAM_CREATE_CAROUSEL_CONTAINER - Create the carousel container referencing all media containers [Required]
3. INSTAGRAM_GET_POST_STATUS - Check carousel container readiness [Optional]
4. INSTAGRAM_POST_IG_USER_MEDIA_PUBLISH - Publish the carousel [Required]

Key parameters:

• children: Array of media container IDs for the carousel
• caption: Carousel post caption
• ig_user_id: Instagram Business account user ID

Pitfalls:

• Carousels require 2-10 media items; fewer or more will fail
• Each child container must be created individually before the carousel container
• All child containers must be fully processed before creating the carousel
• Mixed media (images + videos) is supported in carousels

3. Get Media and Insights

When to use: User wants to view their posts or analyze post performance

Tool sequence:

1. INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_USER_MEDIA or INSTAGRAM_GET_USER_MEDIA - List user's media [Required]
2. INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_MEDIA - Get details for a specific post [Optional]
3. INSTAGRAM_GET_POST_INSIGHTS or INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_MEDIA_INSIGHTS - Get metrics for a post [Optional]
4. INSTAGRAM_GET_USER_INSIGHTS - Get account-level insights [Optional]

Key parameters:

• ig_user_id: Instagram Business account user ID
• media_id: ID of the specific media post
• metric: Metrics to retrieve (e.g., impressions, reach, engagement)
• period: Time period for insights (e.g., day, week, lifetime)

Pitfalls:

• Insights are only available for Business/Creator accounts
• Some metrics require minimum follower counts
• Insight data may have a delay of up to 48 hours
• The period parameter must match the metric type

4. Check Publishing Limits

When to use: User wants to verify they can publish before attempting a post

Tool sequence:

1. INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_USER_CONTENT_PUBLISHING_LIMIT - Check remaining publishing quota [Required]

Key parameters:

• ig_user_id: Instagram Business account user ID

Pitfalls:

• Instagram enforces a 25 posts per 24-hour rolling window limit
• Publishing limit resets on a rolling basis, not at midnight
• Check limits before bulk posting operations to avoid failures

5. Get Media Comments and Children

When to use: User wants to view comments on a post or children of a carousel

Tool sequence:

1. INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_MEDIA_COMMENTS - List comments on a media post [Required]
2. INSTAGRAM_GET_IG_MEDIA_CHILDREN - List children of a carousel post [Optional]

Key parameters:

• media_id: ID of the media post
• ig_media_id: Alternative media ID parameter

Pitfalls:

• Comments may be paginated; follow pagination cursors for complete results
• Carousel children are returned as individual media objects
• Comment moderation settings on the account affect wha