@lightning-tools/mcp-server

Use Lightning Tools directly inside any MCP-compatible AI agent.

Prerequisites

• Node.js 18 or later
• An MCP-compatible client (Claude, Cursor, etc.)
• A Lightning wallet to pay for credits

Quick start

Claude Desktop

Edit ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lightning-tools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@lightning-tools/mcp-server"]
    }
  }
}

If you already have an API key, pass it as an environment variable to skip the payment step:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "lightning-tools": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["@lightning-tools/mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "LIGHTNING_TOOLS_API_KEY": "sk_..."
      }
    }
  }
}

Your API key can also be set in the environment directly:

export LIGHTNING_TOOLS_API_KEY=sk_...

The env var takes priority over any saved config. To persist a key without the payment flow, write it directly to ~/.config/lightning-tools/config.json:

{ "apiKey": "sk_..." }

First use

1. Ask the agent to call buy_credits with a quantity (minimum 1000).
2. It returns a Lightning invoice. Pay it from any Lightning wallet.
3. Call verify_payment with the invoiceId and quantity from step 1.
4. Your API key is saved automatically. All service tools are now unlocked.

Available tools

Always available

| Tool | Description | | ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------- | | buy_credits | Purchase credits via Bitcoin Lightning invoice | | verify_payment | Confirm payment and unlock all service tools | | check_balance | Check your current credit balance |

Unlocked after payment

| Tool | Description | Cost | | ------------------ | ---------------------------------- | ----------- | | validate_email | Validate an email address | 1–5 credits | | calculate | Evaluate a mathematical expression | 1 credit | | generate_qr_code | Generate a QR code | 1 credit | | validate_phone | Validate a phone number | 1 credit | | readability | Extract article content from a URL | 2 credits |

Credits are denominated in satoshis — 1 sat = 1 credit.

Links

• API: https://api.lightningapi.tools
• Web: https://lightningapi.tools/mcp