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Install Claude Code and complete the PDF.co MCP prerequisites. These instructions use native Windows PowerShell. Check that both commands are available:

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Register the server

Run the following in PowerShell after replacing YOUR_PDFCO_API_KEY locally:
PowerShell command registering pdfco with user scope, STDIO transport, the resolved uvx path, and an X_API_KEY placeholder

Register PDF.co in Windows PowerShell, replacing the API-key placeholder locally.

If pdfco is already registered, inspect the existing entry instead of adding a duplicate. Keep terminal history and screenshots containing your real key private.

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Connect and check the tools

In the new Claude Code session, enter /mcp and confirm that pdfco is connected. Check that tools such as pdf_to_text are available.

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Run a sample conversion

Approve the PDF.co tool calls when requested. Open the returned file after the job completes and confirm it contains text from the sample. See Verify your connection.
Claude Code showing the sample conversion prompt, two PDF.co calls, and a reported successful conversion using pdf_to_text and wait_job_completion

Claude Code reports a completed PDF-to-text conversion, with signed output URL details hidden.

The user-scoped registration is saved for later sessions. To check it after restarting, close the terminal, open PowerShell again, run claude, and repeat the sample prompt.

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Troubleshooting

  • If PowerShell cannot find claude or uvx, reopen it after installation and check the prerequisite commands again.
  • Keep all Claude Code options before --; the executable and package name belong after it.
  • Keep --transport stdio between the --env value and pdfco; otherwise, the server name can be interpreted as another environment variable.
  • If a different pdfco configuration is used in one project, check local or project-scoped entries. They take precedence over user scope.
  • If tools load but a request fails, check the key and the error returned by PDF.co.
For command syntax and configuration scopes, see Claude Code’s MCP documentation.