---
title: Getting Started
description: Get up and running with APIFold in under 5 minutes.
---

Welcome to APIFold! This guide walks you through converting your first OpenAPI spec into a live MCP server.

## Prerequisites

- An APIFold account (sign up at the dashboard)
- An OpenAPI 3.0/3.1 or Swagger 2.0 spec (URL or file)

## Quick Start

### 1. Sign Up

Create an account at the APIFold dashboard. We use Clerk for authentication, so you can sign up with email, Google, or GitHub.

### 2. Import Your Spec

Navigate to **Dashboard > Import Spec** and provide your OpenAPI spec:

- **URL**: Paste a publicly accessible link to your raw JSON or YAML spec
- **File Upload**: Drag and drop your `openapi.json`, `openapi.yaml`, or `swagger.json` file

APIFold parses the spec, extracts all operations, and generates MCP tool definitions automatically.

### 3. Configure Your Server

After import, you'll see a preview of the detected operations. Click **Import** to create the spec, then create an MCP server from it:

- Choose an auth mode (`none`, `api_key`, or `bearer`)
- Set the upstream base URL
- Optionally configure rate limits

### 4. Connect an AI Client

Copy the generated configuration snippet for your preferred client:

**Claude Desktop** — Add to `claude_desktop_config.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "your-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-sse-client", "https://your-domain.com/mcp/your-server/sse"]
    }
  }
}
```

**Cursor** — Add to `.cursor/mcp.json`:

```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "your-server": {
      "url": "https://your-domain.com/mcp/your-server/sse"
    }
  }
}
```

### 5. Start Using Tools

Restart your AI client. Your API tools will appear in the tool picker, ready for the AI to call on your behalf.

## Next Steps

- [Import a Spec](/docs/import-spec) — Detailed guide on supported formats
- [Configure Your Server](/docs/configure-server) — Auth, rate limits, and tool management
- [Dashboard Guide](/docs/dashboard-guide) — Tour of every screen
