<!-- mcp-name: io.github.federicodeponte/openpaper-mcp -->
# OpenPaper MCP Server

Use OpenPaper from Claude Desktop or another MCP client to start an academic paper, check its progress, and retrieve the finished files. OpenPaper is for researchers who want to generate a cited draft from a prompt. [Open OpenPaper](https://openpaper.dev/) or run `uvx openpaper-mcp` after setting `OPENPAPER_API_TOKEN`.

Read the [agent-friendly project summary](llms.txt) or [MIT license](LICENSE).

OpenPaper uses 18 specialized AI agents to search 500M+ academic sources (OpenAlex, Crossref, Semantic Scholar) and write thesis-level papers with every citation linked to a real publication.

## Generate an academic paper from an MCP client

Ask your connected client to generate a paper on a topic. The server starts the job, returns a generation ID, and lets you check the status and download links. See [MCP tools for paper generation and status](#mcp-tools-for-paper-generation-and-status) for the exact calls.

## Connect OpenPaper to Claude Desktop

### 1. Get your API token

1. Go to [openpaper.dev](https://openpaper.dev) and sign in
2. Open DevTools (F12) → **Application** tab → **Storage → Cookies → `https://openpaper.dev`**
3. Copy the value of the `auth_token` cookie — that's your token

This `auth_token` is a durable 30-day token and works whether you signed in with Google or email. Do not copy the `Authorization` header from the Network tab: on most pages the browser sends no such header (the app forwards the cookie server-side), and where one does appear it is a short-lived session token that expires in about an hour, so the MCP server would stop working soon after. When the token expires, repeat these steps to get a fresh one.

### 2. Configure Claude Desktop

Add to your `claude_desktop_config.json` (no manual install needed — `uvx` fetches the published package on first run):

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openpaper": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": ["openpaper-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPAPER_API_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

<details>
<summary>Run from source instead</summary>

```bash
pip install mcp httpx
```

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "openpaper": {
      "command": "python",
      "args": ["/path/to/openpaper-mcp/server.py"],
      "env": {
        "OPENPAPER_API_TOKEN": "your-token-here"
      }
    }
  }
}
```

</details>

## MCP tools for paper generation and status

### `start_paper_generation`
Start generating a paper. Returns a `generation_id` immediately.

```
Generate a graduate-level paper on "The neurobiological basis of PTSD"
using APA 7th citation style, 20-30 pages
```

### `check_paper_status`
Poll for progress and get download links when done.

```
Check the status of generation abc123
```

### `list_my_papers`
See all your previous papers with download links.

```
List my last 5 papers
```

## Example workflow

```
User: Write a paper on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health

Claude: [calls start_paper_generation("impact of social media on adolescent mental health")]
→ Generation started (ID: abc123). Checking back in a few minutes...

[later]
Claude: [calls check_paper_status("abc123")]
→ Status: processing, phase: writing, 65% complete

[later]
Claude: [calls check_paper_status("abc123")]
→ Status: completed! PDF: https://... DOCX: https://...
```

## Frequently asked questions

### Can I generate a research paper with Claude Desktop?

Yes. Add this MCP server to Claude Desktop, then ask it to start a paper. The server returns a generation ID that you can use to check progress.

### How do I check a paper or find a previous draft?

Use `check_paper_status` with its generation ID, or `list_my_papers` to retrieve recent papers and their download links.

### Which file formats can I download?

The OpenPaper workflow returns PDF and DOCX links when those files are available. The product also supports ZIP export.

### Do I need an OpenPaper account?

Yes. Sign in at [openpaper.dev](https://openpaper.dev/) and provide your own token through `OPENPAPER_API_TOKEN`. Keep the token private.

## Credits

Papers cost 1-3 credits depending on length:
- 5-30 pages: 1 credit
- 30-50 pages: 2 credits
- 50-60 pages: 3 credits

New accounts get free credits. Buy more at [openpaper.dev](https://openpaper.dev).