# Quick Start Guide
Get up and running with the Instapaper MCP Server in 5 minutes.
## Prerequisites
- Node.js 18+ installed
- Instapaper account
- Instapaper API credentials (request at https://www.instapaper.com/api)
## Installation
```bash
# 1. Navigate to the project directory
cd instapaper-mcp-server
# 2. Install dependencies
npm install
# 3. Create and configure your .env file
cp .env.example .env
# Edit .env with your API credentials
# 4. Build the server
npm run build
```
## Configure Claude Desktop
Find your config file:
- **macOS:** `~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json`
- **Windows:** `%APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json`
Add this configuration (replace the path with your actual path):
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"instapaper": {
"command": "node",
"args": ["/FULL/PATH/TO/instapaper-mcp-server/build/index.js"],
"env": {
"INSTAPAPER_CONSUMER_KEY": "your_key",
"INSTAPAPER_CONSUMER_SECRET": "your_secret",
"INSTAPAPER_USERNAME": "your_email",
"INSTAPAPER_PASSWORD": "your_password"
}
}
}
}
```
## Restart Claude Desktop
Completely quit and reopen Claude Desktop.
## Test It Out
In Claude, try:
```
"What's in my Instapaper unread queue?"
```
or
```
"Save this article to Instapaper: https://example.com/great-article
Title: Interesting Read
Description: Notes from my research"
```
## Troubleshooting
**Server not connecting?**
- Verify the path in config is absolute (starts with `/` on Mac/Linux)
- Check `.env` file has correct credentials
- Run `npm run build` to ensure it compiled successfully
**Authentication failing?**
- Confirm you have API access from Instapaper
- Double-check username and password in `.env`
- Ensure consumer key/secret are correct
**Tools not appearing?**
- Restart Claude Desktop completely
- Check the build folder exists: `ls build/`
- View Claude Desktop logs for errors
## What You Can Do
### Save & Organize
- Add bookmarks with descriptions
- Create folders and organize articles
- Star important articles
- Track reading progress
### Read & Research
- Access full article text
- Search across your library
- Get reading recommendations
- Synthesize research on topics
### Workflows
- Weekly reading digests
- Archive old articles
- Organize backlog
- Extract highlights
See the main [README.md](README.md) for complete documentation.
