---
title: "Nutrient DWS MCP Server"
canonical_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/dws-processor/getting-started/mcp-server/"
md_url: "https://www.nutrient.io/guides/dws-processor/getting-started/mcp-server.md"
last_updated: "2026-05-20T19:49:34.807Z"
description: "Open source utility connecting Nutrient DWS API to natural language interfaces via Model Context Protocol (MCP) for document operations."
---

# Nutrient DWS MCP Server

[Nutrient DWS MCP Server](https://github.com/PSPDFKit/nutrient-dws-mcp-server) is an open source utility that connects [Nutrient Document Web Services (DWS) API](https://www.nutrient.io/api/reference/public/) to natural language interfaces via the [Model Context Protocol (MCP)](https://github.com/orgs/modelcontextprotocol), enabling robust document operations — such as editing, conversion, and signing — via natural language commands.

### Watch the demo video

## Key features

| Feature           | Description                                                                 |
| ----------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Document creation | Merge PDFs, Office documents, and images                                    |
| Editing           | Watermark, rotate, flatten, redact, and more                                |
| Format conversion | PDF ⇄ DOCX, images, PDF/A support                                           |
| Digital signing   | Add PAdES standards-compliant digital signatures using trusted certificates |
| Data extraction   | Extract text, tables, or structured content                                 |
| Security          | Redaction presets, password protection, permission control                  |
| Advanced OCR      | Multi-language image and scan recognition                                   |
| Optimization      | Compress files without quality loss                                         |

### Getting started with Claude Desktop and Nutrient DWS MCP Server

1. Install [Claude Desktop](https://claude.ai/download), sign in, and launch the app.

2. Download the latest `.mcpb` package from [GitHub Releases](https://github.com/PSPDFKit/nutrient-dws-mcp-server/releases).

3. Install the package in Claude Desktop and choose your sandbox path.

4. Drop documents into the sandbox folder to prepare them for processing.

5. Use Claude to run prompts like “Redact all PII from secret.pdf” or “Merge secret.pdf and contract.pdf.”

6. Claude opens a browser for OAuth the first time a Nutrient action runs.

> MCP currently relies on local file operations. Sandbox directories ensure safe batch processing.

>
> Claude Desktop is the recommended starting point. If you use another MCP client, follow the setup below.

### Using other MCP clients

1. Install Node.js using a package manager like Homebrew (`brew install node`), or download it directly from [nodejs.org](https://nodejs.org/en).

2. Configure your MCP client to run Nutrient DWS MCP Server and set your desired sandbox path:

   ```json

   {
     "mcpServers": {
       "nutrient-dws": {
         "command": "npx",
         "args": [
           "-y",
           "@nutrient-sdk/dws-mcp-server",
           "--sandbox",
           "/your/sandbox/directory"
         ]
       }
     }
   }
   ```

3. Restart your MCP client, drop documents into the sandbox folder, and start prompting.

4. The first Nutrient action opens a browser so you can sign in or create a free Nutrient account.

If you run MCP in CI, a headless environment, or another non-interactive setup, add an `env` block with your API key:

```json

{
  "env": {
    "NUTRIENT_DWS_API_KEY": "YOUR_API_KEY_HERE"
  }
}

```

## Use cases

The following examples show how teams use natural language prompts with Nutrient DWS MCP Server to automate common document workflows.

### Contract automation

- Digitally sign or watermark NDAs in batches

- Merge scans, flatten layers, prepare for archiving

- Auto-extract terms or dates with OCR

### Compliance and archival

- Convert documents to PDF/A

- Redact emails or credit cards with built-in presets

- Watermark board decks for internal sharing

### Content extraction

- Extract tabular data or text for import

- OCR scanned receipts or handwritten notes

- Preoptimize documents before archiving

## FAQ

#### Why is this file system-based instead of supporting API uploads?

MCP currently doesn’t support binary file transfer — using a sandbox directory is the next best secure option.

#### Why is it open source?

Flexibility and extensibility. Contribute, fork, and adapt the tool to your use case.
---

## Related pages

- [Create sample HTML.](/guides/dws-processor/getting-started.md)
- [Zapier integration](/guides/dws-processor/getting-started/zapier-integration.md)
- [Postman collection](/guides/dws-processor/getting-started/postman-collection.md)