# HTTP Client
The `EpsteinClient` class is a thin async wrapper around the Epstein Exposed REST API. You can use it standalone, outside of the MCP server context.
## Import
```python
from src.epstein_client import EpsteinClient
```
## Usage
### As an async context manager (recommended)
```python
async with EpsteinClient() as client:
results = await client.search_persons("Doe")
doc = await client.get_document("doc-123")
```
### Manual lifecycle
```python
client = EpsteinClient()
try:
results = await client.search_persons("Smith")
finally:
await client.close()
```
## Constructor
```python
EpsteinClient(base_url: str = BASE_URL)
```
| Parameter | Type | Default | Description |
|------------|--------|------------------------------------------|------------------------|
| `base_url` | `str` | `EPSTEIN_API_BASE_URL` env or fallback | API base URL |
## Methods
### `search_persons(name, page=1, per_page=50)`
Search for persons by name.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
---
### `get_person(person_id)`
Fetch a single person by ID.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
**Raises:** `httpx.HTTPStatusError` if not found.
---
### `list_persons(page=1, per_page=100)`
List all persons with pagination.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
---
### `get_document(doc_id)`
Retrieve a document by ID.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
**Raises:** `httpx.HTTPStatusError` if not found.
---
### `list_documents(page=1, per_page=50, category=None)`
List documents with optional category filter.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
---
### `get_person_mentions(name, page=1, per_page=50)`
Get document mentions for a person. Falls back to `search_persons` if the `/mentions` endpoint is unavailable.
**Returns:** `dict[str, Any]`
---
### `close()`
Close the underlying HTTP transport. Called automatically when using `async with`.
