---
title: "SignNow API Helper MCP"
url: "https://docs.signnow.com/docs/api-helper-mcp"
type: "page"
section: "Documentation"
slug: "api-helper-mcp"
---

# SignNow API Helper MCP

# SignNow API Helper MCP

## What is the SignNow API Helper MCP?

The [SignNow API Helper MCP](https://github.com/signnow/sn-api-helper-mcp) is your AI-powered development guide. It gives your AI agent instant access to the official SignNow documentation, allowing it to write accurate code and answer technical questions for you.

**How it differs:** While the [SignNow MCP server](/docs/mcp-server) *performs* actions (like sending documents), this helper *teaches* you how to build integrations. It is designed to help you find the right endpoints, debug errors, and generate code samples instantly.

## How it works

1. You connect the SignNow API Helper to your AI MCP-compatible client (like Claude Desktop, Cursor, or VS Code (with Cline).
2. You ask a development question, for example: *"How do I upload a document with the API?"*
3. The AI uses the helper tools to retrieve accurate API definitions, endpoints, and parameters.
4. The server returns the documentation or guidance, allowing the AI to generate correct code snippets and explanations for you.

---

## Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have:

- **Python 3.11+** installed (check with `python --version`).
- **uv** installed (recommended for the quickest setup).
    - Check with: `uvx --version`
    - If you don't have it: `pip install uv`
- **An MCP-compatible client:** Examples include Cursor, VS Code (with Cline), or Claude Desktop.

---

## Available tools

The server provides tools focused on documentation and integration support:

`get_signnow_api_info`: Fetches authoritative API reference documentation.

- **Code examples:** Generates sample code for common operations (uploading documents, creating invites).
- **Authentication help:** Explains authentication methods and token management.
- **Error resolution:** Helps troubleshoot common API error codes.
- **Integration guidance:** Provides best practices for e-signature workflows.

---

## Installation

This section provides instructions on how to configure popular MCP clients to connect to the SignNow API Helper.

### Quick run

If you use `uv`, you can run the server immediately to test it:

```
uvx sn-api-helper-mcp
```

Learn about other [running methods](https://github.com/signnow/sn-api-helper-mcp?tab=readme-ov-file#run).

---

### Connect to VS Code (via Cline)

VS Code uses the **Cline** extension (or similar MCP clients) to interact with MCP servers.

- Install the Cline extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
- **Open Cline settings:** Click the gear icon inside the Cline chat window (not the main VS Code settings).
- Select **MCP Servers > Configure** tab.
- Click **Configure MCP Servers** and add the following configuration JSON to the open file:
    
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "signnow-api-helper": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "sn-api-helper-mcp"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

![mcp_cline_helper.png](/reference-assets/images/MCP/mcp_cline_helper.png)

- Save the file.
- Restart VS Code.

---

### Connect to Claude Desktop

To use SignNow API Helper with the **Claude Desktop** app:

- In Claude Desktop, open **Settings** > select the **Developer** tab and click **Edit Config**.

![mcp_claude_edit_config.png](/reference-assets/images/MCP/mcp_claude_edit_config.png)

This will open the `claude_desktop_config.json` file in your default text editor.

- **Add payload:** Add the server configuration to the `mcpServers` object:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "signnow-api-helper": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["sn-api-helper-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

- Save the file.
- Restart the client.

---

### Connect to Cursor AI

Cursor supports MCP natively. Follow these steps to add the SignNow API Helper MCP:

- Open **Cursor Settings** (`Cmd/Ctrl + ,`).
- Go to **Features** > **MCP Servers**.
- Click **+ Add New MCP Server**.
- Add the following configuration:
    
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "signnow-api-helper": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["sn-api-helper-mcp"]
    }
  }
}
```

---    

## Example prompts

Once connected, you can ask your AI agent for specific development help:

### 📖 Documentation & research

- Show me the parameters for the SignNow 'Create Invite' endpoint.
- What is the correct API endpoint to download a signed document?
- Explain the authentication flow for SignNow.

### 💻 Code generation

- Write a Python script to upload a document and send it for signing.
- Give me a curl command to check the status of a document.
- How do I handle the `invalid_token` error in my Node.js app?

See also:
- [SignNow MCP Server](/docs/mcp-server)
- [SignNow MCP Server security](/docs/mcp-server-security)

---

*Always review AI-generated code for accuracy before deploying it in production.*


---
*Full page: https://docs.signnow.com/docs/api-helper-mcp*