Cline + pdfmcp: setup guide

Add pdfmcp to Cline (VS Code extension) via cline_mcp_settings.json.

What you need: a free pdfmcp API key — sign in with your email (no password) and copy the key shown at first login. Then replace pdfmcp_live_YOUR_KEY in the config below.

Where it goes: Cline → MCP Servers → Configure MCP Servers (cline_mcp_settings.json)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "pdfmcp": {
      "url": "https://mcp.pdfmcp.org/mcp",
      "headers": {
        "X-API-Key": "pdfmcp_live_YOUR_KEY"
      },
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": []
    }
  }
}

Steps

Get a free API key from the pdfmcp dashboard and replace pdfmcp_live_YOUR_KEY in the config.
Open Cline's MCP settings file (puzzle-piece icon → Configure) and merge in the block above.
Cline reconnects automatically; pdfmcp appears in the Remote Servers list.
Try: “Use pdfmcp to rotate page 2 of this PDF”.

Troubleshooting

401 / unauthorized: the key header is missing or mistyped. The header name is exactly X-API-Key (Claude Code uses Authorization: Bearer … — both work).
Tools don't appear: fully restart the client after editing its config; most clients only load MCP servers at startup.
Server unreachable: check the public status page — and your network's outbound HTTPS to mcp.pdfmcp.org.

Try it with

On-devicePDF info & metadataPage count, page sizes, metadata, encryption status as JSON.On-deviceMerge PDFsCombine multiple PDF files into one, in upload order.On-devicePDF to textExtract plain text, one form-feed separated section per page.

More clients: Claude Desktop MCP setup · Claude Code MCP setup · ChatGPT MCP setup · All MCP setup guides · REST API quickstart