> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aryn.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Tutorial: Getting Started with Aryn MCP Server

> Step-by-step guide to installing and using the Aryn MCP Server with Claude Desktop

This tutorial walks you through installing the Aryn MCP Server extension and using it to process documents directly in Claude Desktop.

## What You'll Learn

By the end of this tutorial, you'll be able to:

* Install the Aryn MCP Server extension in Claude Desktop
* Configure your API key and settings
* List your Aryn DocSets through natural conversation
* Partition and process PDF documents using file paths

## Video Tutorial

Watch this video walkthrough to see the Aryn MCP Server in action:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xciOPp3Mc6c" title="Aryn MCP Server Tutorial" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen />

***

## Step 1: Download the Extension

First, download the appropriate `.dxt` extension file for your system:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="macOS" icon="apple" href="https://github.com/aryn-ai/mcp-server/releases/latest/download/mcp-server-macos-latest.dxt">
    Download for macOS systems
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux" icon="linux" href="https://github.com/aryn-ai/mcp-server/releases/latest/download/mcp-server-ubuntu-latest.dxt">
    Download for Ubuntu/Linux systems
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

<Note>
  The `.dxt` file is a Claude Desktop extension that automatically configures the MCP server for you.
</Note>

***

## Step 2: Install the Extension

1. **Locate the downloaded file** in your Downloads folder (usually named `mcp-server-macos-latest.dxt` or `mcp-server-ubuntu-latest.dxt`)

2. **Double-click the `.dxt` file** to begin installation

3. **Follow the installation prompts** - the extension will automatically configure itself

4. **Restart Claude Desktop** when prompted

<Warning>
  Make sure Claude Desktop is completely closed before installing the extension. You may need to quit it from the menu bar or dock.
</Warning>

***

## Step 3: Configure Your API Key

After restarting Claude Desktop:

1. **Open Claude Desktop Settings**
   * On macOS: `Claude Desktop → Preferences` or `Cmd + ,`
   * On Linux: `File → Preferences` or `Ctrl + ,`

2. **Navigate to the MCP Servers section**

3. **Find "Aryn Local MCP Server"** in the list of installed servers

4. **Add your API key**:
   * Click the settings/edit button next to the Aryn MCP Server
   * Enter your Aryn API key in the `ARYN_API_KEY` field
   * If you don't have an API key, [get one free here](https://app.aryn.ai/sign-in)

5. **Set output directory** (optional):
   * Set `ARYN_MCP_OUTPUT_DIR` to your preferred download location
   * Default is usually your Downloads folder

6. **Enable the server** by toggling the switch to "On"

7. **Save and restart Claude Desktop**

<Tip>
  Your API key should look like: `ey1234567890abcdef...` and start with `ey`
</Tip>

***

## Step 4: Verify Installation

Let's test that everything is working properly:

1. **Start a new conversation** in Claude Desktop

2. **Ask Claude to list your DocSets**:
   ```
   Can you list my Aryn DocSets?
   ```

3. **Expected response**: Claude should use the MCP server to call the `list_aryn_docsets` function and show you any existing DocSets, or indicate that you don't have any yet.

<Info>
  If this is your first time using Aryn, you might not have any DocSets yet - that's perfectly normal!
</Info>

***

## Step 5: Process Your First Document

Now let's partition a PDF document. For this example, we'll use a sample document path:

1. **Prepare a PDF file** on your computer (or use any existing PDF)

2. **Ask Claude to partition the document**:
   ```
   Please partition this PDF file: /Users/yourname/Documents/sample-report.pdf
   ```
   <Note>
     Replace `/Users/yourname/Documents/sample-report.pdf` with the actual path to your PDF file.
   </Note>

3. **Claude will process the document** using the `partition_pdf` function and return:
   * Structured text content
   * Tables (if any)
   * Images (if any)
   * Metadata about the document

4. **Review the results** - you'll see the extracted content organized by type (text, tables, images)

***

## Step 6: Advanced Usage

Now that you have the basics working, try these more advanced features:

### Create a DocSet

```
Create a new DocSet called "financial-reports" for storing my quarterly reports
```

### Add Documents to DocSets

```
Add the document /Users/yourname/Documents/q3-report.pdf to my financial-reports DocSet
```

### Search Across Documents

```
Search my financial-reports DocSet for information about "quarterly revenue"
```

### Extract Custom Properties

```
Extract revenue and profit margin data from all documents in my financial-reports DocSet
```

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Extension won't install">
    * Make sure Claude Desktop is completely closed
    * Try downloading the extension again
    * Check that you're using the correct version for your operating system
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="API key errors">
    * Verify your API key is valid at [app.aryn.ai](https://app.aryn.ai/)
    * Make sure the key starts with `ak-`
    * Check there are no extra spaces before or after the key
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="File path issues">
    * Use absolute file paths (start with `/Users/` on macOS or `/home/` on Linux)
    * Make sure the file exists and is readable
    * Ensure the file is a supported format (PDF, DOCX, etc.)
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="MCP server not responding">
    * Restart Claude Desktop
    * Check that the server is enabled in settings
    * Try disabling and re-enabling the server
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Next Steps

🎉 **Congratulations!** You've successfully set up and used the Aryn MCP Server.

**What to try next:**

* Explore more [document processing options](/docparse/processing_options)
* Learn about [DocSet management](/aryn-platform/core_concepts)
* Check out the [full MCP server documentation](/mcp-server/aryn_mcp)

**Need help?** Join our [Slack community](https://join.slack.com/t/aryn-community/shared_invite/zt-36vhennsx-mN3UsqD6PT2vxVZxpqdHsw) or reach out at [info@aryn.ai](mailto:info@aryn.ai).