How to Use the PDF.co MCP in Claude Code

Q: How do I add the PDF.co MCP Server to Claude Code?

Run the claude mcp add command in your terminal with the server URL and transport flags. This registers all twelve tools in your local /.claude.json configuration file.

Q: Can Claude Code handle password-protected PDFs with PDF.co?

Yes, use unprotectpdf to decrypt files or protectpdf to add password encryption. Claude Code executes these commands using environment variables to keep passwords secure.

Q: How does PDF.co manage long-running conversion jobs in the CLI?

The checkjobstatus tool tracks async operations. Claude Code polls this endpoint from the terminal, letting you know when your file is ready for download.

Q: Can I extract structured database tables using Claude Code?

Yes, call pdftojson to convert document tables into structured JSON arrays. Claude Code can then format this data or pipe it directly into local databases.

Process, convert, and secure PDF documents directly from your terminal using Claude Code and PDF.co tools.

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Setup PDF.co with Claude Code

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Headless Terminal Document Conversion

`pdf_to_text` converts complex PDF documents into clean plain text directly within your shell session. Claude Code pipes this text output into other CLI tools or saves it to disk for immediate analysis. You can build automated shell scripts that parse incoming files without opening a browser. This MCP Server gives your terminal agent direct access to document content.

Command-Line OCR and Parsing

`ocr_image` extracts text from scanned documents, receipts, and images directly from your terminal. Claude Code triggers the tool, captures the output, and uses it to update your configuration files or scripts. It eliminates the need for heavy local OCR libraries that slow down your machine. The terminal agent handles the network request and returns clean text in seconds.

Automating CI/CD Workflows with this MCP Server

`pdf_to_xml` converts PDF structures into clean XML files for automated validation pipelines. Claude Code runs this tool during build steps to verify document schemas before deployment. You can integrate these checks into your GitHub Actions or cron jobs. The headless environment runs the conversion tools silently and exits with standard status codes.

Setup guide

Set up PDF.co MCP in Claude Code

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Run the add command

Open your terminal and run the command shown on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com. Use --scope user to make it available across all projects.
2

Verify the connection

Start a Claude Code session and type /mcp to list connected servers. You should see pdfco-mcp with a green status indicator.
3

Start using tools

Ask Claude Code something like "Check my latest PDF.co transactions." It will automatically discover and invoke the available PDF.co tools.

Terminal

claude mcp add --transport http pdfco-mcp https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

Get your connection token →

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open the config file

Create or edit .mcp.json in your project root for project-level scope, or ~/.claude.json for user-level scope.
2

Add the PDF.co MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session. Type /mcp to confirm the server is connected. The tools will be automatically available in your conversation.

.mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pdfco-mcp": {
      "type": "url",
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by PDF.co. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about PDF.co MCP in Claude Code

Run the `claude mcp add` command in your terminal with the server URL and transport flags. This registers all twelve tools in your local `~/.claude.json` configuration file.

Yes, use `unprotect_pdf` to decrypt files or `protect_pdf` to add password encryption. Claude Code executes these commands using environment variables to keep passwords secure.

The `check_job_status` tool tracks async operations. Claude Code polls this endpoint from the terminal, letting you know when your file is ready for download.

Yes, call `pdf_to_json` to convert document tables into structured JSON arrays. Claude Code can then format this data or pipe it directly into local databases.

All transmitted PDFs, XML, and JSON outputs are processed via secure HTTPS endpoints. Vinkius runs this MCP Server in an isolated environment, preventing any local caching or exposure of your files.

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