Bitrefill MCP Server: Enabling Seamless Integration for AI Applications

Overview: What is Bitrefill MCP Server?

Bitrefill MCP Server is a TypeScript-based server that serves as an adapter, facilitating integration between AI applications and the Bitrefill platform. This server implements the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to expose a wide range of functionalities such as searching for gift cards, mobile topups, and more, directly within AI assistants like Claude Desktop, Continue, Cursor, and others.

🔧 Core Features & MCP Capabilities

The Bitrefill MCP Server leverages the MCP protocol to provide structured and standardized interactions between AI applications and backend services. Key features include:

• Resource Registration: Registers resources such as bitrefill://product-types and bitrefill://categories/{type}.
• Tool Implementations: Provides a suite of tools for various operations like searching for specific products, retrieving detailed information about products, creating invoices, and more.

MCP Protocol Flow Diagram

The following Mermaid diagram illustrates the flow of data within the Bitrefill MCP Server:

graph TD
    A[AI Application] -->|MCP Client| B[MCP Protocol]
    B --> C[MCP Server]
    C --> D[Bitrefill API]
    style A fill:#e1f5fe
    style C fill:#f3e5f5
    style D fill:#e8f5e8

MCP Client Compatibility Matrix

The Bitrefill MCP Server is compatible with a variety of AI applications, specifically:

MCP Client	Resources	Tools	Prompts	Status
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Continue	✅	✅	✅	Full Support
Cursor	❌	✅	❌	Tools Only

⚙️ MCP Architecture & Protocol Implementation

The Bitrefill MCP Server architecture is designed to follow the Model Context Protocol, enabling seamless communication between AI applications and backend services. The server structure includes:

• src/index.ts: Main entry point that initializes the server.
• constants/: Static data such as product categories and payment methods.
• handlers/: Handlers for MCP requests.
• schemas/: Data validation schemas to ensure structured JSON responses.
• services/: API services for various functionalities like invoice creation, order management, etc.
• utils/: Utility functions for error handling and API client support.

Example of a Handler Function

import { handler as handleSearch } from '../handlers/resources';

export const searchTool = {
  name: 'search',
  handler: async (request) => {
    return await handleSearch(request.body.query, request.body);
  },
};

🚀 Getting Started with Installation

To integrate the Bitrefill MCP Server into your AI application environment, you can use Smithery to automate the installation process. Below are detailed steps for different platforms:

Installing via Smithery

npx -y @smithery/cli install @bitrefill/bitrefill-mcp-server --client claude

Claude Desktop Installation

Add the server config in claude_desktop_config.json:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "bitrefill": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "bitrefill-mcp-server"],
      "env": {
        "BITREFILL_API_SECRET": "your_api_key_here",
        "BITREFILL_API_ID": "your_api_id_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cline Installation

1. Open the Cline extension settings.
2. Go to the "MCP Servers" tab and click on "Configure MCP Servers."
3. Add the server configuration:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "github.com/bitrefill/bitrefill-mcp-server": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "bitrefill-mcp-server"],
      "disabled": false,
      "autoApprove": ["search", "detail", "categories"],
      "env": {
        "BITREFILL_API_ID": "your_api_id_here",
        "BITREFILL_API_SECRET": "your_api_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

Cursor Installation

1. Open the Cursor settings.
2. Navigate to the "Features" tab and click on "Add new MCP Server."
3. Configure with the following details:
   • Name: Bitrefill
   • Command Type: npx
   • Arguments: -y bitrefill-mcp-server
4. Optionally, add environment variables for API credentials.

Docker Installation

First, build the Docker image:

docker build -t bitrefill-mcp-server .

Run the container with env vars:

docker run -e BITREFILL_API_SECRET=your_api_key_here -e BITREFILL_API_ID=your_api_id_here bitrefill-mcp-server

For development, mount your source code as a volume:

docker run -v $(pwd):/app --env-file .env bitrefill-mcp-server

💡 Key Use Cases in AI Workflows

The Bitrefill MCP Server can significantly enhance AI workflows by enabling seamless access to various financial and gift card services. Two key use cases are:

1. Gift Card Search & Purchase: Users can search for specific gift cards, such as Amazon or Netflix, directly from their AI application. The server then retrieves details and executes purchases.
2. Mobile Topup Management: Users can request mobile topups, manage invoices, and track order statuses using their preferred AI application.

For instance, a user interacting with an AI through Cursor could issue commands like "Buy me a Netflix gift card" or "Top up my phone number," which the server will handle efficiently.

🔌 Integration with MCP Clients

The Bitrefill MCP Server supports integration with the following MCP clients:

• Claude Desktop: Provides full support for resources and tools.
• Continue: Supports resources, tools, and prompts.
• Cursor: Offers tool support only, no resource or prompt integration.

📊 Performance & Compatibility Matrix

The performance of the Bitrefill MCP Server has been tested with multiple AI clients. The compatibility matrix below summarizes its current status:

Client	Resources (✅/❌)	Tools (✅/❌)	Prompts (✅/❌)
Claude Desktop	✅	✅	✅
Continue	✅	✅	✅
Cursor	❌	✅	❌

🛠️ Advanced Configuration & Security

For advanced users and developers, the Bitrefill MCP Server offers detailed configuration options. You can customize the server by modifying environment variables to fit specific needs.

Ensure security measures are in place with proper API key management and HTTPS configurations.

Example of a Custom Environment Configuration

{
  "bitrefill": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-bitrefill"],
    "env": {
      "API_KEY": "your-api-key",
      "SECURITY_SECRET": "your-secret-code"
    }
  }
}

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How does the Bitrefill MCP Server ensure data privacy?

The server encrypts all communication and stores data securely using industry-standard protocols.

Q2: Can I use this server with any AI application, or are there specific compatibility requirements?

Currently, the Bitrefill MCP Server is compatible with Claude Desktop and Continue but has limited support for Cursor. Full integration requires checking the compatibility matrix.

Q3: What kind of tools can I expect to find in the Bitrefill API?

The server includes comprehensive tools such as product search, invoice creation, order tracking, and more.

Q4: How do I troubleshoot issues if the MCP client fails to connect properly?

Refer to the documentation or reach out to the support team for troubleshooting steps related to connection issues.

Q5: Can I customize the Bitrefill MCP Server for my specific needs?

Yes, you can modify handler functions and configuration settings to tailor the server’s behavior to your needs.

👨‍💻 Development & Contribution Guidelines

Contributing to the Bitrefill MCP Server is open to developers who wish to improve or extend its functionality. Developers should refer to the contributing guidelines found in the repository.

Example of a Contributing Commit Message

feat: Add support for creating custom invoices with additional fields.

🌐 MCP Ecosystem & Resources

The Bitrefill MCP Server is part of the broader Model Context Protocol ecosystem, which includes various other servers and tools aimed at enabling seamless interactions between AI applications and backend services.

Explore more resources such as documentation, community forums, and relevant repositories to get deeper insights into MCP development.

By leveraging the Bitrefill MCP Server, developers can significantly enhance the capabilities of their AI applications, making them more versatile and user-friendly.