Files and documents · MCP server
KDAN PDF: MCP server, setup and security
KDAN PDF is an open-source MCP server published on GitHub that lets an AI agent upload, edit, compress, protect, redact and compare PDFs using KDAN. Its repository has 57 stars and its last commit is from September 23, 2026 and it is licensed under MIT.
| Adoption (stars) | 18/40 | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance | 30/30 | |
| Framework (licence, registry, official) | 21/30 |
What KDAN PDF does
According to its repository: “Upload, edit, compress, protect, redact, and compare PDFs with KDAN PDF in Claude and ChatGPT.”
The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard plug between an AI agent and an outside service: once the server is connected, its tools show up in the agent, which decides when to call them. KDAN PDF is listed under Files and documents, a category of 55 servers in the directory, where it ranks #29 by stars.
Topics declared by the repository: ai-automation, chatgpt, claude, connector, kdan, llm-tools.
Installing and connecting KDAN PDF
Distribution modes declared in the official MCP registry:
- remote server (streamable-http): you connect to it by URL, with nothing to install locally
It works with any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, Claude Code, Cursor, VS Code, Codex and most recent agents). You add one entry to the client's MCP configuration: server name, start command or URL, environment variables.
Security: what to check
Connecting an MCP server means installing software that talks straight to your agent: it runs with your rights and the model trusts its tool descriptions. The risk therefore depends on what it can touch and how far its code can be trusted.
Points found for KDAN PDF:
- System access: the Files and documents category gives the agent control over files, a terminal, code or a browser. A booby-trapped instruction in content the agent reads (prompt injection) can then turn into an action.
Good practice: grant only the rights needed (least privilege), require human approval for irreversible actions, and run the AI agent security check.
Project activity and maintenance
Created on May 13, 2026, the KDAN-PDF/KDAN-PDF-MCP repository has 57 stars and 2 forks, with 0 open issues. It has more stars than 54% of the servers in the directory. Last change 1 month ago. Version published in the registry: 1.0.0 (July 28, 2026).
Stars measure attention, not quality: a recent, heavily promoted project can collect them fast, while a useful but niche server will have few.
Verdict
KDAN PDF is a reasonable choice; check the points below before connecting it.
Strengths
- Active project: recent commit
- Listed in the official MCP registry
- Usable remotely, without installation
- Permissive licence (MIT)
Avoid if…
- You cannot isolate the agent (sandbox, container)
Alternatives
- Markitdown191.9K ★
- Puter43.9K ★
- Filestash14.8K ★
- RevoGrid DataGrid MCP3.5K ★
- Mu436 ★
- Everything Search367 ★
Learn more
Frequently asked questions
How do I install KDAN PDF?
KDAN PDF is distributed as a remote server. Add it to your client's MCP configuration (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code…) following the README of KDAN-PDF/KDAN-PDF-MCP.
Is KDAN PDF free?
The code is published under the MIT licence and can be used free of charge.
Is KDAN PDF safe?
Points to watch: system access. Give it minimum rights and approve sensitive actions.
Is it an official server?
It is published in the MCP registry under the verified namespace com.kdandoc.mcp, which shows the publisher controls that domain.
What are the alternatives to KDAN PDF?
In the same category: Markitdown, Puter, Filestash, and RevoGrid DataGrid MCP. Markitdown and Puter score higher on our grid.
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Neutrality. No affiliate links. No vendor pays to be reviewed, rated or ranked. Reviews are directed by François Chollet, neutral and factual, and every data point is dated and sourced. How we score