> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.moderncollections.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.moderncollections.io/integration-guides/mcp-agent-quickstart.md).

# MCP agent quickstart

`mc-api-mcp` is a stdio MCP server that exposes the Modern Collections creditor-API-key surface as eight native tools: `placement_create`, `placement_status`, `placement_list`, `payment_record`, `dispute_get`, `dispute_acknowledge`, `audit_query`, and `analytics_summary`.

## 1. Install

```bash
pip install ./mc_api        # path to the package provided during onboarding
```

## 2. Set credentials

```bash
export MC_API_ENV=prod              # demo | prod
export MC_API_KEY=ca_...            # your creditor API key
```

## 3. Register with your agent

**Claude Code:**

```bash
claude mcp add modern-collections -- mc-api-mcp
```

**Claude Desktop / Cursor / Continue** — add to your MCP config:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "modern-collections": {
      "command": "mc-api-mcp",
      "env": { "MC_API_ENV": "prod", "MC_API_KEY": "ca_..." }
    }
  }
}
```

## 4. Use it

The agent can now place invoices, check status, record payments, acknowledge disputes, and pull analytics — all through natural language backed by the MCP tools. See [Examples](/mcp-servers/examples.md) for worked flows.

## See also

* [MCP server overview](/mcp-servers/overview.md)
* [Authentication](/mcp-servers/authentication.md)
* [Python SDK](/sdks/python.md)
* [REST API overview](/rest-api/overview.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
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