> 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/overview.md).

# Overview

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, the open standard for connecting AI assistants to tools.

It presents 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 balance from plain-language requests.

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**Custody Model**

Unlike[ Hinkal Pay](/hinkal/hinkal-pay/overview.md) and [Hinkal Wallet](/hinkal/hinkal-wallet/features.md), the MCP server is custodial. A wallet is created server-side on first use, and every transaction is signed and broadcast by Hinkal's relayer - the user's machine holds only an access key. Nothing is signed by the agent or the user.

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The server abstracts the 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:

* [x] Private deposits and payouts - move funds into and out of a private balance without publicly revealing balances or amounts
* [x] Private transfers between Hinkal users - send value with no on-chain link between sender and recipient
* [x] Public-to-public private sends - pay one or many public addresses with no on-chain link back to the sender

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**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

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### 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 |
