# PayPal

> Create invoices, capture orders, issue refunds, and track disputes on PayPal — official MCP.

[Canonical HTML page](https://top-mcps.com/mcp/paypal-mcp) · [server.json](https://top-mcps.com/mcp/paypal-mcp.json) · [methodology](https://top-mcps.com/about/methodology)

## Install

### Claude Desktop — `claude_desktop_config.json`

Paste under mcpServers. Fully quit and reopen Claude after editing.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paypal/mcp",
        "--tools=all"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Claude Code — `CLI or .mcp.json`

Run from your repo. Commit .mcp.json to share with your team.

```shell
claude mcp add paypal-mcp -- npx -y @paypal/mcp --tools=all
```

### Cursor — `.cursor/mcp.json`

Global path: ~/.cursor/mcp.json. Reload window after editing.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paypal/mcp",
        "--tools=all"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### VS Code — `.vscode/mcp.json`

VS Code uses the "servers" key (not "mcpServers").

```jsonc
{
  "servers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paypal/mcp",
        "--tools=all"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Windsurf — `~/.codeium/windsurf/mcp_config.json`

Open via Cascade → hammer icon → Configure.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paypal/mcp",
        "--tools=all"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Cline — `cline_mcp_settings.json`

Open via the Cline sidebar → MCP Servers → Edit.

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "@paypal/mcp",
        "--tools=all"
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

### Continue — `~/.continue/config.json`

Continue uses modelContextProtocolServers with a transport block.

```json
{
  "experimental": {
    "modelContextProtocolServers": [
      {
        "transport": {
          "type": "stdio",
          "command": "npx",
          "args": [
            "-y",
            "@paypal/mcp",
            "--tools=all"
          ]
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

### Codex CLI — `~/.codex/config.toml`

Codex uses TOML. Each server is a [mcp_servers.<name>] subtable.

```shell
# ~/.codex/config.toml
[mcp_servers.paypal-mcp]
command = "npx"
args = [
  "-y",
  "@paypal/mcp",
  "--tools=all",
]
```

### Zed — `~/.config/zed/settings.json`

Zed calls them "context_servers". Settings live-reload on save.

```jsonc
{
  "context_servers": {
    "paypal-mcp": {
      "command": {
        "path": "npx",
        "args": [
          "-y",
          "@paypal/mcp",
          "--tools=all"
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### ChatGPT — `ChatGPT → Settings → Connectors (remote URL)`

Paste this into Settings → Connectors → Add custom connector. Requires ChatGPT Pro / Team / Enterprise / Edu with Developer mode enabled. ChatGPT supports remote HTTPS MCP servers only — stdio servers must be hosted on a public HTTPS endpoint first.

```json
{
  "name": "PayPal",
  "transport": "http",
  "url": "https://mcp.paypal.com/sse"
}
```

## At a glance

- **Maintainer:** PayPal
- **Transport:** Streamable HTTP, SSE, stdio
- **Auth model:** OAuth 2.1
- **Required secrets:** None
- **Supported clients:** Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Any MCP-compatible client, PayPal accounts
- **License:** Apache-2.0
- **Language:** JavaScript
- **Latest version:** latest
- **Last verified:** 2026-07-16
- **Score:** 64/100 (rubric 2026-04 — see https://top-mcps.com/about/methodology)
- **Source:** https://github.com/paypal/paypal-mcp-server

## Quick answer

**What it does.** Exposes PayPal commerce operations as MCP tools: invoices, orders and payment capture, refunds, disputes, subscriptions, shipment tracking, and transaction reads.

**Best for:**
- Drafting and sending invoices
- Creating and capturing orders
- Issuing refunds
- Dispute investigation
- Remote OAuth via mcp.paypal.com

**Not for:**
- SaaS subscription billing (use Stripe/Paddle)
- Point-of-sale (use Square)
- Non-PayPal payment rails

## Description

PayPal's official MCP connects agents to PayPal commerce APIs: create and send invoices, create and capture orders, issue refunds, manage disputes, track shipments, and read transactions. The recommended path is the remote server at mcp.paypal.com/sse with PayPal-login OAuth; a local server (`@paypal/mcp`) is available for token-based setups.

## Why it matters

PayPal is one of the most widely-accepted consumer payment methods. A first-party MCP is the canonical way for an agent to draft an invoice or reconcile a payment without wrapping the REST API by hand.

## Key features

- Invoices, orders, refunds, disputes, shipment tracking
- Remote server at mcp.paypal.com/sse with OAuth
- Local server via `@paypal/mcp` for token auth
- Sandbox and live environments
- Official PayPal, Apache-2.0

## FAQ

### Remote or local?

The recommended path is the remote server at mcp.paypal.com/sse with PayPal-login OAuth — no token to manage. For token-based local runs, use `npx -y @paypal/mcp --tools=all` with `PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN` and `PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT`.

### Sandbox or live?

Both. Point at PayPal sandbox for testing, then switch to the live endpoint (mcp.paypal.com/sse) for production merchant accounts.

### Is this the same as the PayPal ChatGPT app?

No. This is the installable MCP server for Claude, Cursor, and other clients. The PayPal ChatGPT app is a separate one-click listing inside ChatGPT.

## Changelog

- **2026-07-16** — Refreshed install snippets and fact sheet; verified for 2026.
- **2025-05-01** — Initial directory listing.