> 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/getting-started.md).

# Getting Started

The Hinkal MCP server lets any AI agent add privacy to on-chain transfers and settlement flows across Hinkal's supported chains - through the [Model Context Protocol](https://modelcontextprotocol.io), the open standard for connecting AI assistants to tools.

It exposes Hinkal's private deposits, withdrawals and transfers as MCP tools, so an assistant like Claude can move funds between a user's public wallet and their private (shielded) balance from plain-language requests.

The server abstracts all privacy mechanics. The agent calls simple tools - Hinkal handles the proofs, relaying, and settlement.

* [**@hinkal/mcp**](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@hinkal/mcp) - the MCP server, runnable from any MCP client over stdio.
* [**Model Context Protocol**](https://modelcontextprotocol.io) - the client/host standard the server implements.

**What the Server Enables**

With a single connection, an agent can support:

* Confidential deposits and payouts Move funds into and out of a shielded balance without publicly revealing balances or amounts.
* Private transfers between Hinkal users Send value with no on-chain link between sender and recipient.
* Public-to-public private sends Pay one or many public addresses with no on-chain link back to the sender.

**Design**

* No smart contract changes required
* Works with any MCP client - Claude Desktop, Claude Code, or your own host
* Every transaction is signed and broadcast server-side by Hinkal — nothing for the agent or user to sign
* Withdrawals, transfers, and sends run server-side through a Hinkal relayer;

***

### Compatibility

| Requirement | Supported | Notes                                                           |
| ----------- | --------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Node.js     | ✅         | v18+                                                            |
| Transport   | ✅         | stdio                                                           |
| MCP clients | ✅         | Claude Desktop, Claude Code, any MCP host                       |
| Chains      | ✅         | Hinkal's supported chains - call `list_chains` for the live set |