# Zamzar MCP > Zamzar converts files between 1100+ formats using your AI agent. Need to turn a PDF into an editable DOCX, or a video into PNG frames? This MCP handles complex media and document transformations from public URLs or cloud storage directly through conversation. ## Overview - **Category:** productivity - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** file-converter, pdf-tools, video-processing, image-optimization, api-conversion ## Description You can automate file conversion workflows with this MCP. Instead of juggling external websites for every format change—PDFs, images, videos, spreadsheets—you talk to your agent and get the job done. It supports over 1100 formats, so if it has a structure, we can probably convert it. This process is built around managing asynchronous jobs. You tell the system where the file is and what you want it to become, then track its progress until it's finished. Once the conversion completes, your agent retrieves the final binary data for you. If your workflow involves taking this converted asset—say, a newly generated image—and immediately sending it via another platform, you can chain multiple MCPs together through Vinkius. This means you build complex automations that cross platforms using one single AI connection. It's all managed safely inside the Vinkius sandbox, ensuring your credentials pass through a zero-trust proxy and never sit on disk. You just focus on the outcome: getting the right file format, every time. ## Tools ### get_file_content Downloads the finalized content of the converted file after the job is complete. ### get_format Retrieves specific details and cost information for any listed format type. ### get_job Checks the current status of a conversion job, showing if it's running or failed. ### list_formats Lists every single file format type that the service supports for conversion. ### start_job Initiates a new file conversion job using a source URL or S3 URI. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` List all supported file formats available on Zamzar. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the list of supported formats. Zamzar supports over 1100 formats including documents (pdf, docx), images (jpg, png), and videos (mp4, avi). Is there a specific format you're looking for? ``` **Prompt:** ``` Convert this image URL https://example.com/image.gif to a PNG file. ``` **Response:** ``` I've started the conversion job for your GIF to PNG. The Job ID is 456789. I'll monitor the status for you, or you can ask me to check it anytime using `get_job`. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Check the status of conversion job 456789 and download it if ready. ``` **Response:** ``` The job 456789 is now 'successful'. I am now retrieving the file content for you using the associated file ID. ``` ## Capabilities ### List available formats Checks the entire catalog of over 1100 supported conversion types. ### Check specific format details Retrieves metadata and potential credit costs for a single target file type. ### Start job Kicks off the conversion process for files coming from public web links or S3 buckets. ### Track job status Reports the current state of a job, whether it's initializing, running, or done. ### Download file content Retrieves the final binary data stream for the newly converted file. ## Use Cases ### Need to standardize incoming reports. The ops analyst has received 50 reports from different departments, all in various formats. They use the agent to call `start_job` for each one, converting everything to a single, standardized format (e.g., XLSX) so they can merge them into one master file. ### Preparing marketing assets. A content creator needs to take a high-res MP4 video and convert it to three different formats: PNG for web banners, JPG for social media posts, and GIF for chat previews. They call `start_job` multiple times, ensuring the output meets all platform specifications. ### Processing academic papers. A researcher wants to take a complex PDF containing both text and embedded images. The agent first calls `list_formats`, then starts the job, and finally uses `get_file_content` on the output to extract the image data for analysis. ### Converting old file types. The developer encounters an old proprietary document format. Instead of searching for a niche converter, they check `list_formats`, confirm support, and use `start_job` to handle the transformation directly in their pipeline. ## Benefits - Instantly convert complex documents. Turn PDFs into editable DOCX or spreadsheets without using a desktop program. - Automate media pipelines by converting videos and images to specific web-ready formats needed for your campaign assets. - Handle batch processing from cloud storage. Start jobs directly from S3 URIs, eliminating manual file downloads before conversion. - Track conversions reliably. Use `get_job` to monitor progress until you know exactly when the final output is ready for retrieval via `get_file_content`. - Build cross-platform automations. Once a file is converted here, you can immediately chain this MCP with other tools (like messaging or CRM) using Vinkius. ## How It Works The bottom line is you tell your agent what needs converting; the MCP handles the entire lifecycle from initiation to final download. 1. First, check what formats you can target by calling `list_formats` or get details on a specific type using `get_format`. 2. Next, tell the MCP to convert your file from its source URL or S3 URI by invoking `start_job` and keep track of the job ID. 3. Finally, monitor progress with `get_job` until it's 'successful', then use `get_file_content` to pull down the completed file. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I know if a file conversion job is finished using get_job?** You must check `get_job` repeatedly. The status needs to read 'successful' before you attempt to download the content with `get_file_content`. If it says 'failed', there was an issue upstream. **Can I convert files from S3 buckets using start_job?** Yes, `start_job` supports conversion jobs initiated directly from S3 URIs. This is key for automating workflows where source files live in cloud storage instead of on the public web. **What should I use if I need to know all supported file formats?** Run `list_formats`. This tool gives you a complete, programmatic manifest of every single format type available. It's better than looking at any static webpage. **Do I need get_format before start_job?** No, but it’s useful to check first. Use `get_format` if you want to know specific details or potential costs for a target format *before* committing to the job. **When using `get_format`, how do I confirm that a specific target format is actually compatible with my source file type?** The answer is, checking the details returned by `get_format` will give you the necessary constraints. This tool doesn't just list formats; it confirms compatibility and provides any required credit information for conversion. **If I run `start_job` but the file conversion fails, how do I find out why using `get_job`?** Check the job status with `get_job`. If the state is 'failed', the response payload usually contains a specific error code or message. This lets you pinpoint if the issue was the source URL, the format, or something else. **After monitoring my job status with `get_job`, what do I need to use to actually download the finished file data?** You must call `get_file_content`. This tool handles the actual binary transfer, giving you the converted file content. It's the final step after confirming that `get_job` reports a 'successful' state. **What happens to my source data if I use `start_job` with a publicly accessible URL?** The process is designed for security. Your credentials pass through a zero-trust proxy and are only used during the conversion request itself. The system never stores your API key or the contents of the file you submit. **How can I check if Zamzar supports converting a specific file type?** You can use the `get_format` tool by providing the extension (e.g., 'pdf'). The agent will return all possible target formats and the associated credit cost for that conversion. **How do I know when my file conversion is finished and ready for download?** After starting a job, use the `get_job` tool with your Job ID. It will report the current status. Once it shows 'successful', you can proceed to download the file. **Can I download the converted file directly through the AI?** Yes. Once the job is successful, use the `get_file_content` tool with the resulting File ID to retrieve the binary data and metadata of the converted file.