What types of physical mail can I send with Lob?

Lob supports three main mail types: Letters (formal correspondence, invoices, notifications with customizable color, double-sided printing), Postcards (marketing campaigns, invitations, reminders in 4x6, 6x9, or 6x11 sizes), and Checks (vendor payments, payroll, refunds, rebates with customizable memo lines and company logos). All mail is printed and mailed within 24 hours via USPS.

How does Lob address verification work?

Lob's address verification validates and standardizes addresses using USPS data. It corrects formatting, adds missing ZIP+4 codes, fixes typos, and confirms deliverability. The service returns a deliverability status: 'deliverable' (valid and deliverable), 'undeliverable' (cannot be delivered), or 'deliverable_unnecessary' (valid but additional info not needed). This reduces returned mail by up to 5% and ensures your mailings reach the correct destination.

Can I use HTML templates for personalized mailings?

Yes! Lob supports HTML templates with merge variables using the Handlebars templating engine. Create a template with placeholders like {{name}}, {{order_number}}, {{delivery_date}}, then pass actual values when creating letters or postcards. This enables personalized, scalable direct mail campaigns. Templates are reusable and can be referenced by ID when creating mailings. You can also embed CSS styling for professional-looking mail designs.

How long does it take for mail to be delivered?

Lob prints and mails all items within 24 hours of creation. Delivery time depends on the mail type selected: USPS First Class Mail typically delivers in 2-5 business days, while USPS Standard Mail takes 3-7 business days. You receive a tracking number for each piece of mail to monitor delivery status. Lob also provides expected delivery dates in API responses for planning purposes.

Lob MCP Server for AutoGen 21 tools — connect in under 2 minutes

Name: Lob
Availability: InStock
Author: Vinkius

microsoft.github.io/autogen/docs/tools/mcp-tools

Built by Vinkius GDPR 21 Tools Framework

Microsoft AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and execute tasks collaboratively. Add Lob as an MCP tool provider through the Vinkius and every agent in the group can access live data and take action.

Get MCP Server for AI Agents

ASK AI ABOUT THIS MCP SERVER

Open in ChatGPT Open in Claude Open in Perplexity

Vinkius supports streamable HTTP and SSE.

python

import asyncio
from autogen_agentchat.agents import AssistantAgent
from autogen_ext.tools.mcp import McpWorkbench

async def main():
    # Your Vinkius token — get it at cloud.vinkius.com
    async with McpWorkbench(
        server_params={"url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"},
        transport="streamable_http",
    ) as workbench:
        tools = await workbench.list_tools()
        agent = AssistantAgent(
            name="lob_agent",
            tools=tools,
            system_message=(
                "You help users with Lob. "
                "21 tools available."
            ),
        )
        print(f"Agent ready with {len(tools)} tools")

asyncio.run(main())

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* Every MCP server runs on Vinkius-managed infrastructure inside AWS - a purpose-built runtime with per-request V8 isolates, Ed25519 signed audit chains, and sub-40ms cold starts optimized for native MCP execution. See our infrastructure

About Lob MCP Server

Lob MCP Server enables AI agents to send physical mail directly from your applications. Create and mail letters, postcards, and checks programmatically through Lob's print and mail API. Verify US and international addresses, autocomplete partial addresses, and manage your address book. Build reusable HTML templates for personalized mailings. Perfect for automating vendor payments, customer communications, marketing campaigns, payroll checks, and direct mail operations. All mail is printed, processed, and delivered within 24 hours via USPS integration.

AutoGen enables multi-agent conversations where agents negotiate, delegate, and collaboratively use Lob tools. Connect 21 tools through the Vinkius and assign role-based access — a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates, with optional human-in-the-loop approval for sensitive operations.

The Lob MCP Server exposes 21 tools through the Vinkius. Connect it to AutoGen in under two minutes — no API keys to rotate, no infrastructure to provision, no vendor lock-in. Your configuration, your data, your control.

How to Connect Lob to AutoGen via MCP

Follow these steps to integrate the Lob MCP Server with AutoGen.

Install AutoGen

Run pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

Replace the token

Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your Vinkius token

Integrate into workflow

Use the agent in your AutoGen multi-agent orchestration

Explore tools

The workbench discovers 21 tools from Lob automatically

Why Use AutoGen with the Lob MCP Server

AutoGen provides unique advantages when paired with Lob through the Model Context Protocol.

Multi-agent conversations: multiple AutoGen agents discuss, delegate, and collaboratively use Lob tools to solve complex tasks

Role-based architecture lets you assign Lob tool access to specific agents — a data analyst queries while a reviewer validates

Human-in-the-loop support: agents can pause for human approval before executing sensitive Lob tool calls

Code execution sandbox: AutoGen agents can write and run code that processes Lob tool responses in an isolated environment

Lob + AutoGen Use Cases

Practical scenarios where AutoGen combined with the Lob MCP Server delivers measurable value.

Collaborative analysis: one agent queries Lob while another validates results and a third generates the final report

Automated review pipelines: a researcher agent fetches data from Lob, a critic agent evaluates quality, and a writer produces the output

Interactive planning: agents negotiate task allocation using Lob data to make informed decisions about resource distribution

Code generation with live data: an AutoGen coder agent writes scripts that process Lob responses in a sandboxed execution environment

Lob MCP Tools for AutoGen (21)

These 21 tools become available when you connect Lob to AutoGen via MCP:

autocomplete_us_address

Autocomplete a partial US address

cancel_letter

Only works if status is still "processing". Cancel a letter before it enters production

create_address

Requires name and address_line1. Create a new address in your Lob address book

create_bank_account

Requires description, routing_number, account_number, account_type (company/individual), and signatory. Add a bank account for sending checks

create_check

Requires recipient (to), bank account ID, and amount. Optional: memo, logo, description. Create and mail a physical check through Lob

create_letter

Requires recipient (to), sender (from), and file content. Supports HTML templates with merge variables, color options, and mail type selection. Create and mail a physical letter through Lob

create_postcard

Requires recipient (to) and front design. Optional: back design, message, merge variables. Create and mail a physical postcard through Lob

create_template

Create a reusable HTML template for mailings

delete_address

Delete an address from your Lob address book

get_address

Get details of a specific address

get_check

Get details of a specific check by ID

get_letter

Get details of a specific letter by ID

get_postcard

Get details of a specific postcard by ID

get_template

Get details of a specific template

list_addresses

Use optional limit to control result count. List addresses in your Lob address book

list_bank_accounts

Use optional limit to control result count. List bank accounts in your Lob account

list_checks

Track payments, audit disbursements. List physical checks sent through Lob

list_letters

Each letter includes status, tracking number, and expected delivery date. Use optional limit to control result count. List physical letters sent through Lob. Track mailings, check delivery status, and review letter history

list_postcards

Use optional limit to control result count. List physical postcards sent through Lob

list_templates

List HTML templates for mailings

verify_us_address

Verify and standardize a US address

Example Prompts for Lob in AutoGen

Ready-to-use prompts you can give your AutoGen agent to start working with Lob immediately.

"Send a letter to John Doe at 123 Main St, New York, NY 10001 with our welcome package HTML template"

"Verify if this address is deliverable: 185 Berry St, San Francisco, CA 94107"

"Send a $500 check to ABC Consulting for consulting services rendered in March"

Troubleshooting Lob MCP Server with AutoGen

Common issues when connecting Lob to AutoGen through the Vinkius, and how to resolve them.

McpWorkbench not found

Install: pip install "autogen-ext[mcp]"

Lob + AutoGen FAQ

Common questions about integrating Lob MCP Server with AutoGen.

How does AutoGen connect to MCP servers?

Create an MCP tool adapter and assign it to one or more agents in the group chat. AutoGen agents can then call Lob tools during their conversation turns.

Can different agents have different MCP tool access?

Yes. AutoGen's role-based architecture lets you assign specific MCP tools to specific agents, so a querying agent has different capabilities than a reviewing agent.