# paypal-mcp-server

Connects PayPal APIs to an MCP agent for invoices, orders, refunds, subscriptions, disputes, and transaction queries.

- MCP server · `type=mcp` · Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Windsurf (Devin Desktop), Cline, Zed, Gemini CLI · ★ 13
- Author: paypal
- License: Apache-2.0 · policy=link-only · description only; the file stays with the author
- Source: https://github.com/paypal/paypal-mcp-server
- Updated: 2025-10-28
- HTML: https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/paypal-mcp-server

## What it does

\`paypal-mcp-server` runs through `npx` and exposes PayPal API actions to an MCP host. Its tools cover invoice creation, lookup, delivery, reminders, cancellation, and QR generation. They also handle orders, captured-payment refunds, disputes, shipment tracking, and transaction listings.

The server includes tools for PayPal catalog items and subscription plans. It can create and update products, inspect plans, create subscriptions, and cancel active ones. Setup requires Node.js 18+ and `PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN`; `PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT` selects `SANDBOX` or `PRODUCTION`. Without an access token, PayPal API calls cannot run.

In Claude Code, add the server with `claude mcp add`; the command starts the `@paypal/mcp` package through `npx`. Use a sandbox token while testing and set the production environment for live PayPal work.

## Requirements
- Needs: Node.js (commands run via npx)
- Environment variables: `PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN`, `PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT` — keys and tokens: ask the human for the values, never commit them or put them in shared files.

## Install

### Claude Code (native platform)

**Platform CLI**
```bash
claude mcp add paypal-mcp-server -e PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN> -e PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT=<PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT> -- npx -y @paypal/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Codex

**Platform CLI**
```bash
codex mcp add paypal-mcp-server --env PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN> --env PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT=<PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT> -- npx -y @paypal/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Cursor

**Config file**
File `.cursor/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "paypal-mcp-server": {
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@paypal/mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN>",
                "PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT": "<PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### GitHub Copilot

**Config file**
File `.vscode/mcp.json`:
```json
{
    "servers": {
        "paypal-mcp-server": {
            "type": "stdio",
            "command": "npx",
            "args": [
                "-y",
                "@paypal/mcp"
            ],
            "env": {
                "PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "<PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN>",
                "PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT": "<PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT>"
            }
        }
    }
}
```
Replace <…> with your own values

### Gemini CLI

**Platform CLI**
```bash
gemini mcp add -e PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN=<PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN> -e PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT=<PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT> paypal-mcp-server npx -y @paypal/mcp
```
Replace <…> with your own values

## When to use it
- create and send a PayPal invoice
- filter and inspect invoice records
- place an order or issue a refund
- review open disputes and transactions
- create or cancel a subscription

## Example prompts
- List my PayPal invoices and filter them by status.
- Create a PayPal order from the data in this project.
- Show open disputes and prepare a review list.

## Similar
- [paypal-integration](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/paypal-integration.md) — skill · 10900 installs
- [mcp-paypal](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/mcp/mcp-paypal.md) — MCP server · ★ 274
- [payment-gateway-integration](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/payment-gateway-integration.md) — skill · 524 installs
- [payment-processing](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/plugins/payment-processing.md) — plugin · ★ 41823
- [stripe](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/plugins/stripe-stripe.md) — plugin · ★ 7604
- [paypal-import](https://affpapa.org/en/nevibecode/skills/paypal-import.md) — skill · 368 installs

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