Algorand MCP Server

# Getting ALGO for Testing and Production ## 🧪 TestNet (Free ALGO for Testing) ### Option 1: Algorand Dispenser (Recommended) 1. Visit: https://bank.testnet.algorand.network/ 2. Enter your TestNet address 3. Complete the CAPTCHA 4. Receive 10 ALGO instantly 5. Can request every few hours ### Option 2: Use the generateAccount tool ```bash # 1. Generate new account curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/mcp \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": "tools/call", "params": {"name": "generateAccount", "arguments": {}}, "id": 1}' # 2. Copy the address from response # 3. Go to https://bank.testnet.algorand.network/ # 4. Paste address and get free ALGO ``` ### Setting up Test Account in .env ```env # Add to your .env file ALGORAND_NETWORK=testnet ALGORAND_ACCOUNT_MNEMONIC="your 25 word mnemonic phrase here" ``` ## 💰 MainNet (Real ALGO) ### Cryptocurrency Exchanges #### Centralized Exchanges (CEX) 1. **Binance** - https://www.binance.com - Largest volume - ALGO/USDT, ALGO/BTC pairs - Minimum purchase: ~$10 2. **Coinbase** - https://www.coinbase.com - Easy for beginners - Direct fiat purchase (USD, EUR, etc.) - Instant buy with credit card 3. **Kraken** - https://www.kraken.com - Good for EU/US users - ALGO/USD, ALGO/EUR pairs 4. **KuCoin** - https://www.kucoin.com - No KYC for small amounts - ALGO/USDT pair 5. **Crypto.com** - https://crypto.com - Mobile-friendly - Card payments accepted #### Decentralized Options 1. **Tinyman** - https://tinyman.org - Algorand's main DEX - Swap other Algorand assets for ALGO 2. **Pera Wallet** - https://perawallet.app - Built-in swap feature - Direct purchase with MoonPay ### Minimum Requirements - **Minimum balance**: 0.1 ALGO (required to keep account active) - **Transaction fee**: 0.001 ALGO per transaction - **Recommended starting amount**: 1-10 ALGO for testing ### Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners 1. **Create Algorand Account** ```bash # Generate account with our tool curl -X POST http://localhost:8080/mcp \ -H "Content-Type: application/json" \ -d '{"jsonrpc": "2.0", "method": "tools/call", "params": {"name": "generateAccount", "arguments": {}}, "id": 1}' ``` 2. **Save Your Credentials** - Copy the mnemonic phrase (25 words) - KEEP IT SAFE! - Copy your address 3. **Buy ALGO on Exchange** - Sign up on Coinbase/Binance - Complete KYC verification - Buy ALGO with credit card or bank transfer - Withdraw to your Algorand address 4. **Configure .env for MainNet** ```env ALGORAND_NETWORK=mainnet ALGORAND_ACCOUNT_ADDRESS=YOUR_ADDRESS_HERE ALGORAND_ACCOUNT_MNEMONIC="your 25 word mnemonic" ``` ## 🔒 Security Best Practices ### DO: - ✅ Use TestNet for development - ✅ Keep small amounts in test wallets - ✅ Use hardware wallets for large amounts - ✅ Store mnemonic offline - ✅ Use .env.local (git ignored) for credentials ### DON'T: - ❌ Never commit .env with real credentials - ❌ Never share your mnemonic phrase - ❌ Don't use MainNet account for testing - ❌ Don't store large amounts in hot wallets ## 📊 Current ALGO Price & Info - Check price: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/algorand - Market cap rank: Top 50 - All-time high: $3.28 (June 2019) - Typical range: $0.10 - $2.00 ## 🆓 Free Resources ### Faucets - TestNet Dispenser: https://bank.testnet.algorand.network/ ### Earn ALGO - Governance rewards: ~7-10% APY - DeFi yields on Tinyman, Folks Finance - NFT trading on Algorand marketplaces ## 💡 Tips for Testing 1. **Start with TestNet** - Free ALGO from dispenser - Same functionality as MainNet - No risk of losing money 2. **Small MainNet Tests** - Buy 1-2 ALGO initially (~$0.20-0.40) - Test basic transactions - Explore DeFi with small amounts 3. **Use Multiple Accounts** - One for development (TestNet) - One for small MainNet tests - One secure account for holdings ## 🔗 Useful Links - Algorand Wallet: https://perawallet.app - Price Tracker: https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/algorand - TestNet Dispenser: https://bank.testnet.algorand.network/ - Block Explorer (MainNet): https://lora.algokit.io/mainnet - Block Explorer (TestNet): https://lora.algokit.io/testnet - Algorand Foundation: https://algorand.foundation