Pokémon TCG API — Claude Code MCP server: setup and tools
Connects Pokémon card databases to your assistant for set lookups, illustrator queries, market pricing, and image centering checks.
claude mcp add --env PTCG_API_KEY=<PTCG_API_KEY> --env PTCG_BASE_URL=<PTCG_BASE_URL> --transport stdio pokemon-tcg-api -- npx -y @pokemontcgapi/mcpWhat Pokémon TCG API does
This server exposes eleven query-oriented tools directly against pokemontcgapi.com. It covers worldwide, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese prints alongside translations across eight locales. Assistants can retrieve market observations complete with grade samples, identify illustrations, or scan card batches up to 100 entries at once.
Ten out of the eleven tools will fail without a valid PTCG_API_KEY environment variable. The only endpoint operating without credentials is the reference string lookup. Image recognition and centering measurements debit API credits per invocation, so running them repeatedly inside loops will quickly deplete trial quotas.
The server runs via npx and expects Node version 20 or newer.
What it helps with
- fetch live card valuations factoring in grades and sample volume
- calculate card centering ratios directly from front-facing photos
- list card sets released within specific regions and calendar years
- audit artwork counts grouped by card illustrator
Example prompts for the agent
- Find Japanese Charizard prints and retrieve their recorded market prices
- Measure card centering ratios on this uploaded card image
- List all 2024 Japanese sets along with their official card counts
How to install Pokémon TCG API
Platform CLI
claude mcp add --env PTCG_API_KEY=<PTCG_API_KEY> --env PTCG_BASE_URL=<PTCG_BASE_URL> --transport stdio pokemon-tcg-api -- npx -y @pokemontcgapi/mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
codex mcp add pokemon-tcg-api --env PTCG_API_KEY=<PTCG_API_KEY> --env PTCG_BASE_URL=<PTCG_BASE_URL> -- npx -y @pokemontcgapi/mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"mcpServers": {
"pokemon-tcg-api": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pokemontcgapi/mcp"
],
"env": {
"PTCG_API_KEY": "<PTCG_API_KEY>",
"PTCG_BASE_URL": "<PTCG_BASE_URL>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Config file
{
"servers": {
"pokemon-tcg-api": {
"type": "stdio",
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"-y",
"@pokemontcgapi/mcp"
],
"env": {
"PTCG_API_KEY": "<PTCG_API_KEY>",
"PTCG_BASE_URL": "<PTCG_BASE_URL>"
}
}
}
}Replace <…> with your own values
Platform CLI
gemini mcp add -e PTCG_API_KEY=<PTCG_API_KEY> -e PTCG_BASE_URL=<PTCG_BASE_URL> pokemon-tcg-api npx -y @pokemontcgapi/mcpReplace <…> with your own values
Step by step, with commands for each platform: How to add an MCP server to Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, VS Code, Gemini CLI and more
Questions about Pokémon TCG API
How to install Pokémon TCG API in Claude Code?
Run claude mcp add mcp -e PTCG_API_KEY=<PTCG_API_KEY> -- npx -y @pokemontcgapi/mcp directly in your shell with your API key substituted.
What does Pokémon TCG API MCP server do?
It gives your LLM direct read access to card databases, current market prices, artist records, and visual centering tools.
Which runtime environment is required?
You need Node.js version 20 or higher installed to run the package through npx.
