PayPal Agent Toolkit▌
by paypal
Streamline payments with PayPal Agent Toolkit — AI-driven agent integration for secure, automated PayPal services and fa
AI agent integration with PayPal services.
Both formats append explainx.ai attribution and the canonical URL for this MCP server listing.
best for
- / E-commerce businesses automating payment workflows
- / SaaS platforms handling subscription billing
- / Customer service teams managing disputes
- / Developers building payment-enabled AI agents
capabilities
- / Create and manage PayPal invoices
- / Process payments and refunds
- / Handle dispute resolution
- / Track shipments and deliveries
- / Manage product catalogs
- / Create subscription plans
what it does
Integrates AI agents with PayPal's payment APIs to manage invoices, orders, refunds, disputes, and subscriptions. Works with popular frameworks like OpenAI Agent SDK, LangChain, and Vercel AI SDK.
about
PayPal Agent Toolkit is an official MCP server published by paypal that provides AI assistants with tools and capabilities via the Model Context Protocol. Streamline payments with PayPal Agent Toolkit — AI-driven agent integration for secure, automated PayPal services and fa
how to install
You can install PayPal Agent Toolkit in your AI client of choice. Use the install panel on this page to get one-click setup for Cursor, Claude Desktop, VS Code, and other MCP-compatible clients. This server supports remote connections over HTTP, so no local installation is required.
license
Apache-2.0
PayPal Agent Toolkit is released under the Apache-2.0 license. This is a permissive open-source license, meaning you can freely use, modify, and distribute the software.
readme
PayPal Agent Toolkit
The PayPal Agent Toolkit enables popular agent frameworks including OpenAI's Agent SDK, LangChain, Vercel's AI SDK, and Model Context Protocol (MCP) to integrate with PayPal APIs through function calling. It includes support for TypeScript and is built on top of PayPal APIs and the PayPal SDKs.
Available tools
The PayPal Agent toolkit provides the following tools:
Invoices
create_invoice: Create a new invoice in the PayPal systemlist_invoices: List invoices with optional pagination and filteringget_invoice: Retrieve details of a specific invoicesend_invoice: Send an invoice to recipientssend_invoice_reminder: Send a reminder for an existing invoicecancel_sent_invoice: Cancel a sent invoicegenerate_invoice_qr_code: Generate a QR code for an invoice
Payments
create_order: Create an order in PayPal system based on provided detailsget_order: Retrieve the details of an orderpay_order: Process payment for an authorized ordercreate_refund: Process a refund for a captured payment.get_refund: Get the details for a specific refund.
Dispute Management
list_disputes: Retrieve a summary of all open disputesget_dispute: Retrieve detailed information of a specific disputeaccept_dispute_claim: Accept a dispute claim
Shipment Tracking
create_shipment_tracking: Create a shipment tracking recordget_shipment_tracking: Retrieve shipment tracking informationupdate_shipment_tracking: Update shipment tracking information
Catalog Management
create_product: Create a new product in the PayPal cataloglist_products: List products with optional pagination and filteringshow_product_details: Retrieve details of a specific product
Subscription Management
create_subscription_plan: Create a new subscription planlist_subscription_plans: List subscription plansshow_subscription_plan_details: Retrieve details of a specific subscription plancreate_subscription: Create a new subscriptionshow_subscription_details: Retrieve details of a specific subscriptionupdate_subscription: update an existing subscriptioncancel_subscription: Cancel an active subscription
Reporting and Insights
list_transactions: List transactions with optional pagination and filteringget_merchant_insights: Retrieve business intelligence metrics and analytics for a merchant
TypeScript
Installation
You don't need this source code unless you want to modify the package. If you just want to use the package run:
npm install @paypal/agent-toolkit
Requirements
- Node 18+
Usage
The library needs to be configured with your account's client id and secret which is available in your PayPal Developer Dashboard.
The toolkit works with Vercel's AI SDK and can be passed as a list of tools. For more details, refer our examples
import { PayPalAgentToolkit } from '@paypal/agent-toolkit/ai-sdk';
const paypalToolkit = new PayPalAgentToolkit({
clientId: process.env.PAYPAL_CLIENT_ID,
clientSecret: process.env.PAYPAL_CLIENT_SECRET,
configuration: {
actions: {
invoices: {
create: true,
list: true,
send: true,
sendReminder: true,
cancel: true,
generateQRC: true,
},
products: { create: true, list: true, update: true },
subscriptionPlans: { create: true, list: true, show: true },
shipment: { create: true, show: true, cancel: true },
orders: { create: true, get: true },
disputes: { list: true, get: true },
},
},
});
To use sandbox mode, add context within your configuration.
configuration: {
context: {
sandbox: true,
}
}
Initializing the Workflows
import { PayPalWorkflows, ALL_TOOLS_ENABLED } from '@paypal/agent-toolkit/ai-sdk';
const paypalWorkflows = new PayPalWorkflows({
clientId: process.env.PAYPAL_CLIENT_ID,
clientSecret: process.env.PAYPAL_CLIENT_SECRET,
configuration: {
actions: ALL_TOOLS_ENABLED,
},
});
Usage
Using the toolkit
const llm: LanguageModelV1 = getModel(); // The model to be used with ai-sdk
const { text: response } = await generateText({
model: llm,
tools: paypalToolkit.getTools(),
maxSteps: 10,
prompt: `Create an order for $50 for custom handcrafted item and get the payment link.`,
});
Environment Variables
The following environment variables can be used:
PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN: Your PayPal Access TokenPAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT: Set toSANDBOXfor sandbox mode,PRODUCTIONfor production (defaults toSANDBOXmode)
This guide explains how to generate an access token for PayPal API integration, including how to find your client ID and client secret.
Prerequisites
- PayPal Developer account (for Sandbox)
- PayPal Business account (for production)
Finding Your Client ID and Client Secret
-
Create a PayPal Developer Account:
- Go to PayPal Developer Dashboard
- Sign up or log in with your PayPal credentials
-
Access Your Credentials:
- In the Developer Dashboard, click on Apps & Credentials in the menu
- Switch between Sandbox and Live modes depending on your needs
-
Create or View an App:
- To create a new app, click Create App
- Give your app a name and select a Business account to associate with it
- For existing apps, click on the app name to view details
-
Retrieve Credentials:
- Once your app is created or selected, you'll see a screen with your:
- Client ID: A public identifier for your app
- Client Secret: A private key (shown after clicking "Show")
- Save these credentials securely as they are required for generating access tokens
- Once your app is created or selected, you'll see a screen with your:
Generating an Access Token
Using cURL
curl -v https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/oauth2/token \
-H "Accept: application/json" \
-H "Accept-Language: en_US" \
-u "CLIENT_ID:CLIENT_SECRET" \
-d "grant_type=client_credentials"
Replace CLIENT_ID and CLIENT_SECRET with your actual credentials. For production, use https://api-m.paypal.com instead of the sandbox URL.
Using Postman
- Create a new request to
https://api-m.sandbox.paypal.com/v1/oauth2/token - Set method to POST
- Under Authorization, select Basic Auth and enter your Client ID and Client Secret
- Under Body, select x-www-form-urlencoded and add a key
grant_typewith valueclient_credentials - Send the request
Response
A successful response will look like:
{
"scope": "...",
"access_token": "Your Access Token",
"token_type": "Bearer",
"app_id": "APP-80W284485P519543T",
"expires_in": 32400,
"nonce": "..."
}
Copy the access_token value for use in your Claude Desktop integration.
Token Details
- Sandbox Tokens: Valid for 3-8 hours
- Production Tokens: Valid for 8 hours
- It's recommended to implement token refresh logic before expiration
Using the Token with Claude Desktop
Once you have your access token, update the PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN value in your Claude Desktop connector configuration:
{
"env": {
"PAYPAL_ACCESS_TOKEN": "YOUR_NEW_ACCESS_TOKEN",
"PAYPAL_ENVIRONMENT": "SANDBOX"
}
}
Best Practices
- Store client ID and client secret securely
- Implement token refresh logic to handle token expiration
- Use environment-specific tokens (sandbox for testing, production for real transactions)
- Avoid hardcoding tokens in application code
Disclaimer
AI-generated content may be inaccurate or incomplete. Users are responsible for independently verifying any information before relying on it. PayPal makes no guarantees regarding output accuracy and is not liable for any decisions, actions, or consequences resulting from its use.
FAQ
- What is the PayPal Agent Toolkit MCP server?
- PayPal Agent Toolkit is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server profile on explainx.ai. MCP lets AI hosts (e.g. Claude Desktop, Cursor) call tools and resources through a standard interface; this page summarizes categories, install hints, and community ratings.
- How do MCP servers relate to agent skills?
- Skills are reusable instruction packages (often SKILL.md); MCP servers expose live capabilities. Teams frequently combine both—skills for workflows, MCP for APIs and data. See explainx.ai/skills and explainx.ai/mcp-servers for parallel directories.
- How are reviews shown for PayPal Agent Toolkit?
- This profile displays 40 aggregated ratings (sample rows for discoverability plus signed-in user reviews). Average score is about 4.7 out of 5—verify behavior in your own environment before production use.
Use Cases▌
Extended AI Capabilities
Add new capabilities to Claude beyond text generation
Example
Access external data sources, execute code, interact with tools and services
Transform Claude from chatbot to action-taking agent
Context Enhancement
Provide Claude with access to relevant context and data
Example
Load project documentation, access knowledge bases, query databases
Get more accurate, context-aware responses
Workflow Automation
Automate multi-step workflows combining AI and external tools
Example
Research → Summarize → Create document → Send notification
Complete complex tasks end-to-end without manual steps
Implementation Guide▌
Prerequisites
- ›Claude Desktop 0.7.0+ or Cursor IDE with MCP support
- ›Basic understanding of MCP architecture and capabilities
- ›Access credentials for integrated services (if required)
- ›Willingness to experiment and iterate on configuration
Time Estimate
15-60 minutes depending on server complexity
Installation Steps
- 1.Install MCP server: npm install -g [package-name] or via GitHub
- 2.Add server configuration to ~/.claude/mcp.json
- 3.Provide required credentials and configuration
- 4.Restart Claude Desktop to load new server
- 5.Test basic functionality with simple prompts
- 6.Explore capabilities and experiment with use cases
- 7.Document successful patterns for reuse
Troubleshooting
- ⚠MCP server not loading: Check config syntax, verify installation
- ⚠Connection errors: Check network, firewall, credentials
- ⚠Feature not working: Read server docs, check required parameters
- ⚠Performance issues: Monitor resource usage, check for network latency
- ⚠Conflicts with other servers: Check port assignments, namespace collisions
Best Practices▌
✓ Do
- +Read server documentation thoroughly before setup
- +Start with simple use cases to validate functionality
- +Test in non-production environment first
- +Monitor resource usage and performance
- +Keep servers updated for bug fixes and new features
- +Document configuration for team members
- +Use environment variables for sensitive configuration
✗ Don't
- −Don't grant overly permissive access to MCP servers
- −Don't skip reading security considerations in docs
- −Don't expose sensitive data without proper controls
- −Don't run untrusted MCP servers without code review
- −Don't ignore error messages—investigate root cause
💡 Pro Tips
- ★Combine multiple MCP servers for powerful workflows
- ★Create custom MCP servers for your specific needs
- ★Share successful configurations with team
- ★Use MCP inspector for debugging
- ★Join MCP community for tips and troubleshooting
Technical Details▌
Architecture
Model Context Protocol standardizes how AI hosts (Claude, Cursor) communicate with external tools and data sources through server implementations.
Protocols
- Model Context Protocol (MCP)
- JSON-RPC 2.0
- stdio or HTTP transport
Compatibility
- Claude Desktop
- Cursor IDE
- Custom MCP clients
When to Use This▌
✓ Use When
Use when you need Claude to access external data, execute actions, or integrate with tools. Best for extending AI capabilities beyond conversation.
✗ Avoid When
Avoid when native integrations exist (use official APIs directly), for real-time critical systems, or when security/compliance requires zero external dependencies.
Integration▌
- →Tool composition: Chain multiple MCP tools in workflows
- →Context augmentation: Provide AI with relevant external data
- →Action delegation: Let AI execute tasks on external systems
- →Bidirectional sync: Keep AI context and external systems in sync
Discussion
Product Hunt–style comments (not star reviews)- No comments yet — start the thread.
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Ratings
4.7★★★★★40 reviews- ★★★★★Chaitanya Patil· Dec 16, 2024
Useful MCP listing: PayPal Agent Toolkit is the kind of server we cite when onboarding engineers to host + tool permissions.
- ★★★★★Isabella Yang· Dec 12, 2024
We evaluated PayPal Agent Toolkit against two servers with overlapping tools; this profile had the clearer scope statement.
- ★★★★★Omar Farah· Dec 8, 2024
I recommend PayPal Agent Toolkit for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.
- ★★★★★Kofi Sanchez· Dec 4, 2024
PayPal Agent Toolkit is among the better-indexed MCP projects we tried; the explainx.ai summary tracks the official description.
- ★★★★★Harper Desai· Nov 27, 2024
Strong directory entry: PayPal Agent Toolkit surfaces stars and publisher context so we could sanity-check maintenance before adopting.
- ★★★★★Piyush G· Nov 7, 2024
According to our notes, PayPal Agent Toolkit benefits from clear Model Context Protocol framing — fewer ambiguous “AI plugin” claims.
- ★★★★★Anika Jackson· Nov 3, 2024
PayPal Agent Toolkit has been reliable for tool-calling workflows; the MCP profile page is a good permalink for internal docs.
- ★★★★★Shikha Mishra· Oct 26, 2024
I recommend PayPal Agent Toolkit for teams standardizing on MCP; the explainx.ai page compares cleanly with sibling servers.
- ★★★★★Isabella Haddad· Oct 22, 2024
PayPal Agent Toolkit is a well-scoped MCP server in the explainx.ai directory — install snippets and categories matched our Claude Code setup.
- ★★★★★Carlos Brown· Oct 18, 2024
Useful MCP listing: PayPal Agent Toolkit is the kind of server we cite when onboarding engineers to host + tool permissions.
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