MCP Server Documentation

Quick Start

Get your first conversion running in 30 seconds. Add the MCP server to Claude Code and convert a file:

claude mcp add --transport http conversiontools https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp

Convert report.xlsx to PDF

Installation Methods

claude plugin marketplace add conversiontools/agent-skills
claude plugin install conversiontools

claude mcp add --transport http conversiontools https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "conversiontools": {
      "url": "https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp"
    }
  }
}

gemini extensions install https://github.com/conversiontools/gemini-extension

https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp

Authentication

Choose the authentication method that works best for your setup:

export CT_API_TOKEN=your_api_token_here

claude mcp add --transport http conversiontools https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp --header "Authorization: Bearer your_api_token_here"

Available Tools

The MCP server provides 23 tools for your AI assistant:

Toolsets

The tools come in three toolsets, so your AI assistant loads only what it needs and keeps its context free for your work. By default the server offers convert, the file conversion tools, which take under 3,000 tokens of your assistant's context. Turn on parse (data extraction from documents) and studio (custom converters) in the server URL:

https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp?toolsets=convert,parse
https://mcp.conversiontools.io/mcp?toolsets=all

Tools marked always come with every toolset. The Claude Code plugin and the Gemini CLI extension turn on all three for you. Running the server locally? Set CT_TOOLSETS the same way.

Build a Custom Converter

When no standard converter fits -- a custom transformation, a specific output shape, or a multi-step pipeline -- describe what you want in plain language and have a custom converter built for you, run on your file, and returned. The converter is built from the file's structure, runs in a sandbox, and persists in your account so you can re-run it from the web, the API, or here.

1. studio_create_converter -- create the converter and attach the input file.
2. studio_chat -- describe the transformation (for example, "turn this CSV into JSON, one object per invoice with a nested line items array").
3. studio_run -- run the converter on the file.
4. studio_run_status -- poll until it finishes.
5. studio_download_result -- download the result.

Building and chatting are free; only runs count against your conversion limits. These tools are in the studio toolset.

Reuse a converter you built before

Converters persist in your account, so one built earlier is re-runnable on a new file with no rebuild. Call studio_list_converters to find it, studio_attach_file to point it at the new file, then run it as above. Use studio_get_converter to confirm it is ready first.

Extract Data from Documents

The parse_ tools pull named fields out of documents -- invoices, receipts, purchase orders, statements, forms, scans -- and return them as structured JSON. You describe the fields you want once, and the same description keeps working across suppliers, form revisions, and scan quality.

1. parse_create_schema -- define the fields once, reuse them on every document (or skip this and describe the fields inline).
2. parse_extract -- submit the document. This returns an extraction id straight away, not the data.
3. parse_extraction_status -- poll that id until the extraction is complete; the data comes back here.
4. parse_export -- optionally turn the result into a CSV or XLSX spreadsheet.

These tools are in the parse toolset. Re-sending the same document with the same fields returns the stored result instantly and costs nothing. Full API reference at parse.conversiontools.io/docs.

Prompts and Resources

Assistants that support MCP prompts list ready-made starting points, usually as slash commands (in Claude Code, for example /mcp__conversiontools__convert). The format arguments complete from the converter catalog as you type.

• convert -- convert a file from one format to another with the right converter and options.
• extract_data -- pull named fields out of invoices, receipts, statements or scans.
• build_converter -- have a custom converter built from a plain-language description.

The converter catalog is also available as resources (conversiontools://converters), for assistants that let you attach context.

Usage Examples

Once connected, just ask your AI assistant naturally. Here are common workflows:

Convert report.xlsx to PDF

Transform data.json into a CSV file

Save https://example.com as a PDF

Extract the text from receipt.jpg

Convert all the PNG files in the screenshots/ folder to WebP

What formats can I convert a PDF to?

Extract the invoice data from invoice.pdf as a JSON file

Build a converter that turns this CSV into JSON, one object per invoice with a nested line items array

Supported Formats

Convert between 140+ file formats across 14 categories:

View full converter list for detailed information about each converter and its options.

Pricing

MCP uses the same conversion limits as your Conversion Tools account:

• Free tier: 100 conversions per month (max 10 per day)
• Paid plans: Higher limits and priority processing

View pricing plans or API pricing for details.

Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to resolve them: