> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hinkal-team.gitbook.io/hinkal/hinkal-mcp/configuration.md).

# Configuration

The server works with zero configuration — every option has a sensible default. Override a setting with either a CLI flag on the server command or an environment variable; when both are set, the flag wins.

| Flag         | Env variable                 | Purpose                                                                        | Default                                     |
| ------------ | ---------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ------------------------------------------- |
| `--dir`      | `HINKAL_DIR`                 | Data directory for the keystore                                                | `~/.hinkal` (`%APPDATA%\hinkal` on Windows) |
| `--keystore` | `SIGNER_KEYSTORE_PASSPHRASE` | Passphrase encrypting the keystore at rest; once set, required on every launch | (*unset*)                                   |

**Examples**:

```
hinkal-mcp --dir <hinkal-path> --keystore <passphrase>
```

```
claude mcp add hinkal -- hinkal-mcp --dir <hinkal-path> --keystore <passphrase>
```

The `--keystore` value is the encryption **passphrase**, not a file path. The keystore path itself is fixed at `<data-dir>/mcp-identity.json`, so `--dir` controls where it lives.

The Hinkal API endpoint is fixed at `https://api.hinkal.io` ; the server always connects over stdio.