Adds an optional MCP server (proprietary module) that exposes Stirling's
PDF operations and AI capabilities to MCP clients. Off by default, zero
footprint when disabled.
### What
- New `/mcp` endpoint: streamable-HTTP + JSON-RPC 2.0; 8 tools
(describe_operation, pages/convert/misc/security category tools, AI,
upload, download).
- Runs real operations over an internal loopback; results returned
inline as base64 (small) or by fileId (large).
### Auth (two modes)
- OAuth2 resource server: RFC 9728 protected-resource metadata, RFC 8707
audience binding, JWKS, `mcp.tools.read/write` scopes; binds each token
to a provisioned Stirling account.
- API-key mode: reuses Stirling per-user `X-API-KEY` (no IdP needed).
### Security
- Per-user file ownership in FileStorage: async/queued writes scoped to
the submitting user; legacy/owner-less files stay readable.
- Admin allow/block list controls which operations are exposed.
- Python engine gated behind a shared secret (`X-Engine-Auth`).
- MCP filter chain is isolated and cannot weaken the main app's
security.
- Hardened: no upstream error-body leakage, log injection sanitized,
fileId path/sidecar enumeration blocked.
### Config / footprint
- Disabled by default (`mcp.enabled=false`); all beans
`@ConditionalOnProperty`.
---
## Checklist
### General
- [ ] I have read the [Contribution
Guidelines](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md)
- [ ] I have read the [Stirling-PDF Developer
Guide](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/DeveloperGuide.md)
(if applicable)
- [ ] I have read the [How to add new languages to
Stirling-PDF](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/devGuide/HowToAddNewLanguage.md)
(if applicable)
- [ ] I have performed a self-review of my own code
- [ ] My changes generate no new warnings
### Documentation
- [ ] I have updated relevant docs on [Stirling-PDF's doc
repo](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-Tools.github.io/blob/main/docs/)
(if functionality has heavily changed)
- [ ] I have read the section [Add New Translation
Tags](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/devGuide/HowToAddNewLanguage.md#add-new-translation-tags)
(for new translation tags only)
### Translations (if applicable)
- [ ] I ran
[`scripts/counter_translation.py`](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/docs/counter_translation.md)
### UI Changes (if applicable)
- [ ] Screenshots or videos demonstrating the UI changes are attached
(e.g., as comments or direct attachments in the PR)
### Testing (if applicable)
- [ ] I have run `task check` to verify linters, typechecks, and tests
pass
- [ ] I have tested my changes locally. Refer to the [Testing
Guide](https://github.com/Stirling-Tools/Stirling-PDF/blob/main/DeveloperGuide.md#7-testing)
for more details.
Anthony StirlingandGitHub
