Getting started

Connect an AI client or use the REST API to create, read, and edit PDFs with pdf-mcp.

For AI assistantsConnect an MCP client Claude, ChatGPT, Cursor, VS Code, and Codex. For developersMake your first PDF Get an API key and send your first request.

On this page

pdf-mcp creates PDFs from HTML, text, and images. You can also extract text, merge documents, fill forms, and render reusable templates. Use it from an AI client, your own application, or an automation workflow.

Choose your starting point

You want to…	Start here
Create PDFs in an AI conversation	Connect an MCP client
Generate a PDF from your code	REST API quick start
Add PDF tools to an automation	n8n, Make, or Zapier
Look up an endpoint or parameter	API reference

Create an account

Sign in at app.pdf-mcp.io with the magic link sent to your email. Choose the workspace you want to use.

For an AI client, connect with OAuth and approve access in your browser. For application code or an automation, create an API key under API Keys. Both credentials belong to the workspace selected when you create or authorize them.

Connect your AI client

Add to Cursor Add to VS Code

For Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, or Codex, follow the client guide. Every client connects to the same hosted server:

Plain text

https://api.pdf-mcp.io/mcp

Once connected, try:

Use pdf-mcp to create a one-page PDF titled “Hello, PDF!”. Store it and return the browser view link.

Make your first API request

Set PDF_MCP_API_KEY in your local environment, then run:

Shell

curl --fail-with-body https://api.pdf-mcp.io/htmlToPdf \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $PDF_MCP_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "html": "<h1>Hello, PDF!</h1><p>My first document.</p>",
    "storage": { "mode": "memory" }
  }' \
  --output hello.pdf

A successful request saves hello.pdf. Memory mode returns the PDF directly without storing a document. The quick start includes API-key setup and Python and Node.js examples.

Storage, access, and credits

Storage modes: return a PDF directly, store it privately, or use your own bucket.
Workspaces: understand shared credits, member roles, and document access.
Authentication: create and revoke API keys or authorize an MCP client.
Credits: check the cost of each operation and add prepaid credits.

For page layout, fonts, and print CSS, start with Print styling. For request errors, see the API reference.