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Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:
  • Node.js (v18 or later)
  • A Commenda API key — contact the Commenda team to obtain one
  • The Commenda API base URL for your environment

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Configuration

The MCP server uses two environment variables:
VariableDescriptionDefault
COMMENDA_API_BASE_URLBase URL of the Commenda APIhttp://localhost:8000/api/v1
MCP_SERVER_API_KEYAPI key for authenticating with Commenda—

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Install and build

cd mcp-server
npm install
npm run build

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Connect to Claude Desktop

Add the following to your Claude Desktop configuration file:
  • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json
  • Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "commenda": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "COMMENDA_API_BASE_URL": "https://your-commenda-api-url/api/v1",
        "MCP_SERVER_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}
Replace /path/to/mcp-server with the actual path to the MCP server directory, and set your API URL and key.

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Connect to Cursor

Add the following to your Cursor MCP settings (.cursor/mcp.json in your project root or global settings): 
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "commenda": {
      "command": "node",
      "args": ["/path/to/mcp-server/dist/index.js"],
      "env": {
        "COMMENDA_API_BASE_URL": "https://your-commenda-api-url/api/v1",
        "MCP_SERVER_API_KEY": "your-api-key"
      }
    }
  }
}

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Authentication

The MCP server authenticates with the Commenda API using an API key sent via the x-mcp-api-key header. When a request is received:
  1. The MCP server includes your API key in the x-mcp-api-key header.
  2. The Commenda API validates the key and associates the request with a service account.
  3. The service account must have the appropriate permissions for the operations being performed.
Use a strong, randomly generated API key in production. Rotate your key regularly and never share it publicly.

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Verify the connection

After configuring your AI client, test the connection by asking a simple question like: 
List all business entities
If the MCP server is configured correctly, your AI assistant will call the list_business_entities tool and return results from your Commenda account.

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Example prompts

Once connected, you can interact with Commenda through natural language: Business entities
  • “Get the details of business entity 123”
  • “List all locations for business entity 456”
  • “Create a new headquarters location at 123 Main St, San Francisco, CA 94102”
Compliance
  • “What compliance filings are due for company 1?”
  • “Generate a compliance calendar for corporation 123 for fiscal years 2024 to 2025”
  • “Update compliance item abc-123 status to COMPLETED”
Sales tax
  • “List all sales tax filings for corporation 123”
  • “Calculate tax for a $100 sale to 123 Main St, San Francisco, CA 94102”
  • “What sales tax registrations does corporation 123 have?”
  • “Get the nexus information for corporation 789”