> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.chatastra.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.chatastra.ai/astrapay-api-docs/mcp-server/setup.md).

# Setup

## Prerequisites

* Node.js >= 18
* An AstraPay API key from **Settings → API Keys**

***

## Claude Desktop

Edit `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json` (macOS) or `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json` (Windows):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "astrapay": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "astrapay-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ASTRAPAY_API_KEY": "ap_live_your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

Restart Claude Desktop. AstraPay tools will appear automatically.

***

## Cursor

Create or edit `.cursor/mcp.json` in your project root:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "astrapay": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "astrapay-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ASTRAPAY_API_KEY": "ap_live_your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

***

## VS Code

Edit `.vscode/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "servers": {
    "astrapay": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "astrapay-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "ASTRAPAY_API_KEY": "ap_live_your_api_key"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

***

## Environment variables

| Variable              | Required | Default                     | Description                                   |
| --------------------- | -------- | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
| `ASTRAPAY_API_KEY`    | Yes      | —                           | Your API key (`ap_live_...` or `ap_test_...`) |
| `ASTRAPAY_API_URL`    | No       | `https://apipay.byastra.ai` | Override API base URL                         |
| `ASTRAPAY_API_PREFIX` | No       | `/v1`                       | API route prefix                              |

{% hint style="warning" %}
Never commit your API key to version control. Use environment variables or a secrets manager.
{% endhint %}