> 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/mcp-servers/installation.md).

# Installation

`mc-api-mcp` is a stdio server that ships inside the `mc_api` Python package, distributed by Modern Collections during onboarding (not on PyPI yet). Install the package, then register the server with your MCP client.

## Install

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

## Configure

The server reads configuration from the environment — never from command-line arguments, so your API key stays out of MCP client config files that may be logged.

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

Or set `MC_API_BASE_URL` instead of `MC_API_ENV` for an explicit endpoint.

## Register with Claude Code

```bash
claude mcp add modern-collections -- mc-api-mcp
# set MC_API_ENV and MC_API_KEY in the server's environment via your MCP client config
```

## Register with Claude Desktop / Cursor / Continue

Add to your MCP client's config (e.g. `claude_desktop_config.json`):

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

An `mcp.example.json` ready-to-copy template ships inside the package.

## See also

* [MCP overview](/mcp-servers/overview.md)
* [Authentication](/mcp-servers/authentication.md)
* [Python SDK](/sdks/python.md)


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.moderncollections.io/mcp-servers/installation.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
